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Los Alamitos has added a stakes race to its winter meeting to give California Chrome a local prep race before the final start of his career in the $12 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 28.The Winter Challenge will be run Dec. 17 at 1-1/16 miles with a purse structure designed to entice owners and trainers to run against California Chrome, the 2014 Horse of the Year who was second in the Breeders Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 5.The race is likely to be worth more than $100,000, as it will offer $50,000 to the winner, $30,000 to the runner-up, $20,000 for third, and $15,000 for the fourth and fifth finishers, according to Los Alamitos racing secretary Bob Moreno. If the race draws a larger field, additional finishers will earn $10,000 each.If I get six or seven, its gravy, Moreno said. I think we can get five or six.California Chrome is scheduled to start in the Pegasus World Cup before going to stud at Taylor Made Farm in Kentucky in 2017. A 5-year-old California-bred, California Chrome has won 15 of 25 starts and earned $14,452,650. He won the $10 million Dubai World Cup in March in the United Arab Emirates.California Chrome is highly likely to face a modest field in the Winter Challenge. Moreno was actively compiling a list of candidates over the weekend. The race is not expected to include Arrogate, the winner of the BC Classic, or Melatonin, who won two Grade 1 races on dirt this year.Arrogate is expected to have his next start in the Pegasus World Cup. Melatonin is likely to race at Santa Anita in January, trainer David Hofmans said last week.California Chrome has been based at Los Alamitos while in training in Southern California since early 2014 but has never raced at the Orange County track.Los Alamitos took on a larger role on the Southern California Thoroughbred circuit in 2014 following the closure of Hollywood Park in 2013. Los Alamitos hosts three brief Thoroughbred meetings each year. The track will have an eight-day meeting Dec. 8-18.Art Sherman, who trains California Chrome, also trains a small number of Thoroughbreds owned by Ed Allred, the owner of Los Alamitos.The Winter Challenge was developed by Los Alamitos officials after consulting with the Thoroughbred Owners of California, the states official representative for owners.We had the cooperation of the TOC, said Brad McKinzie, the general manager of the Los Alamitos Thoroughbred meetings. They understand the chance for Los Al to have California Chrome run is a good thing for racing. Now, its a matter of filling the race.We consider him our local horse. Hes got a following. People come out at 6 in the morning to watch him work. I imagine theyd come out at 4 oclock in the afternoon to watch him race.Shaquille ONeal Lakers Jersey . Varlamov made 33 saves and Ryan OReilly had a goal and scored in the shootout as the Avalanche beat the New Jersey Devils 2-1 on Thursday night. Nick Van Exel Lakers Jersey . Supported by three-run homers from Jayson Werth and Wilson Ramos, the young right-hander went seven strong innings in the Washington Nationals 8-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night. http://www.lakersteamofficial.com/Byron-Scott-Lakers-Jersey/ . Rinne played two periods in his first game since left hip surgery in early May. Gabriel Bourque scored 3:07 into the second period and Austin Watson tallied 5:15 later for Nashville. Lance Stephenson Lakers Jersey . R.J. Umberger scored twice to lead the Blue Jackets to a franchise-record for consecutive wins with a 5-3 victory Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Kings. Derek Fisher Lakers Jersey . Jeff Green scored 13 points and Kris Humphries 12 for the Celtics, who nearly blew an 18-point, second-half lead. Sullingers 20-20 was the first by a Celtics player since Kevin Garnetts first game in Boston in 2007. Garnett was dealt -- along with Paul Pierce -- to Brooklyn during the off-season.While you may be an avid fan of a particular NHL team -- and keep up to date on all the news and rumors regarding that franchise -- there are 29 others playing in 2016-17.As a fantasy owner, it can be a bit daunting to keep tabs on everything.Thats where the Fantasy 30 comes in -- a rundown of the most fantasy-relevant updates on every team. Heres whats happening around around the NHL in Week 2 of the young season.Anaheim Ducks: Although finally armed with a new six-year, $22.8 million deal, Rickard Rakell isnt expected back in Anaheims lineup for another week or so. While securing a work visa tops the to-do list, the 23-year-old forward is also in line for some warm-up practice sessions after missing training camp (and recovering from an appendectomy). But once ready and able, Rakell is expected to muscle his way into a top-six role for the Ducks up front.Arizona Coyotes: Coach Dave Tippett is quickly adopting the practice of shifting his top rookies in and out of the lineup in this seasons early stages. First, young center Dylan Strome sat out the opener, then Christian Dvorak was booted to the press box for Stromes debut a game later. Teen defenseman Jakob Chychrun has been made a healthy scratch as well. It serves fair warning to fantasy owners with these promising young guns on their own respective rosters.Boston Bruins: Recovering from a lower-body issue, Patrice Bergeron is a good bet to make his season debut against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday. If so, look for Bergeron to reclaim his gig as top-line center between Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak, bumping David Backes to the second-line wing.Buffalo Sabres: Three broken ribs mean forward Evander Kane will miss weeks for the Sabres. Without Kane and Jack Eichel -- out a few weeks himself with an ankle injury -- Buffalos top line of Ryan OReilly, Sam Reinhart and Kyle Okposo stands alone as a top permanent trio and reliable source of production for fantasy owners.Calgary Flames: After fumbling his first two starts, Brian Elliott seems up for another shot with his new club in Calgary. But a third straight substandard effort against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday ensures Chad Johnson, who has been solid in his two appearances, will be back between the pipes to face the St. Louis Blues on Saturday.Carolina Hurricanes: By far Carolinas most effective forward line early on, the top unit of Victor Rask, Jeff Skinner and Lee Stempniak, is in little danger of being broken up. Owned in about a fifth of ESPN.com fantasy leagues, Stempniak -- an underrated guy in coach Bill Peters eyes -- actually leads the team with three goals and two assists in three games. Get on it.Chicago Blackhawks: Veteran Marian Hossa is considered iffy for Fridays contest in Columbus. After scoring his 500th NHL goal, Hossa suffered a lower-body injury in blocking a shot against the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday. Guessing coach Joel Quenneville would rather play it safe with his 37-year-old asset, forward Marcus Kruger is a solid candidate to take over Hossas spot with the man advantage.Colorado Avalanche: On a conditioning assignment with the San Antonio Rampage, Mikko Rantanen (ankle injury) is pegged to rejoin the Avalanche in about a week. Collecting 60 points in 52 AHL games last season, the 19-year-old winger has been considered a threat to crack the Avs top six in 2016-17. Keep an eye on this kid.Columbus Blue Jackets: Although already frustrated with his team on the whole (quelle surprise), coach John Tortorella seems reasonably pleased with the play of rookie blueliner Zach Werenski. Owned in only 18 percent of ESPN.com leagues, the 19-year-old top-pair defenseman already has a goal and an assist (nine shots) in his first two NHL games. Selected eighth overall in 2015, Werenski is also skating on the Blue Jackets top power play.Dallas Stars: Battling illness, Jiri Hudler is expected to miss Thursdays tilt with the Los Angeles Kings in Dallas. However, a return for Saturdays game against the Blue Jackets isnt out of the question. Fellow forward Ales Hemsky (groin) is also eyeing his season debut in the coming week or two. Beyond the No. 1 line of Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn and Patrick Eaves, the Stars corps of forwards will be in for a significant shuffling once both are able to compete.Detroit Red Wings: Not all NHL backups are weighed equally. Some are limited to seeing exceptionally restricted action behind a healthy and dominant No. 1. Others -- like Detroits Jimmy Howard behind Petr Mrazek -- are more likely to enjoy a higher percentage of starts, particularly if the Red Wings No. 2 continues to stifle the competition like he did in Wednesdays 32-save, 2-1 victory over the Rangers. One game, sure, but Howard was terrific. And the Wings are scheduled to play back-to-back home games this Friday and Saturday.Edmonton Oilers: While Jesse Puljujarvi already has sat as a healthy scratch, Todd McLellan appears reluctant to send the 18-year-old to the AHL anytime soon. Instead, the Oilers head coach believes a consistent environment will help the young Finn adjust to the game on this side of the Atlantic. Of course, that isnt to suggest Puljujarvi is utterly immune from demotion to the minors this season either.Florida Panthers: Generally off the fantasy radar, Denis Malgin merits some attention in dynasty and deep redraft leagues. With Jonathan Huberdeau and Nick Bjugstad on the injured shelf, the diminutive forward is filling in as third-line center and competing on a top power play for the Panthers. Not bad for a 19-year-old with about a seasons worth of elite Swiss league games to his credit.Los Angeles Kings: Hello there. Peter Budaj! Showing up fellow understudy Jeff Zatkoff, who has floundered in relief of No. 1 Jonathan Quick early on, Budaj stopped all nine shots he faced in Tuesdays 6-3 loss to the Wild. That should earn the experienced netminder a subsequent start Thursday against the Stars. And if the veteran can hold his own against Dallas potent offense, the winless Kings are likely to run with Budaj until the wheels falls off. And/or until they trade for someone better (perhaps a demoted Ondrej Pavelec in Winnipeg?). Meanwhile, Quick (groin injury) has opted to skip major surgery and remains out until his loosely projected return in early January.Montreal Canadiens: Barring some sudden setback, Carey Price is in line to start against the Coyotes on Thursday. Down about 7 pounds after fighting the flu, the Canadiens elite netminder says he feels good and is ready to go. Utilize him as you usually would.Minnesota Wild: Perhaps we should start paying greater attention to the Wilds third forward lline.ddddddddddddAccording to Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune, center Erik Haula was at his best in Tuesdays 6-3 victory over the Kings, alongside Jason Pominville and Nino Niederreiter. Coach Bruce Boudreau seems to be demanding more than the usual scoring support from his third unit, and perhaps fantasy owners should, too. Also, all three forwards are valid candidates to move up the lineup -- especially Pominville -- if necessary.Nashville Predators: Fantasy owners hoping for a fruitful sophomore season from Miikka Salomaki will have to wait a while; the 23-year-old forward is out six to eight weeks with a broken hand. Salomaki still could be a modest fantasy factor down the road -- if/when more prominent members of the Predators offense fall injured.New Jersey Devils: In a gut punch to fantasy owners who targeted Adam Henrique this offseason, veteran Travis Zajac instead has emerged as the Devils centerman of choice alongside new star winger Taylor Hall (and P.A. Parenteau). Considering such, Zajac should be owned in more than 6 percent of ESPN.com leagues.New York Islanders: Were only a couple weeks in, but forward Josh Bailey appears to be succeeding where P.A. Parenteau (now with the Devils) and Jason Chimera fell short in making it work on a No. 1 forward line with John Tavares and Andrew Ladd. Remember when Bailey was picked ninth overall at the 2008 entry draft? If this top trio remains intact, that selection might finally flush out for the Islanders eight years later. An inexpensive DFS asset worth consideration, the 27-year-old is also largely available in ESPN.com leagues.New York Rangers: Badgered by a hip flexor (read: groin) injury, Daniel Girardi is eyeing a return for the Rangers in the next few days. A modest commodity in only the deepest fantasy leagues, the veteran defenseman wont be hurried in his return, meaning a comeback Saturday in Washington feels improbable.Ottawa Senators: This isnt to propose hes playing next week, next month, next year, or even ever again, but with concussion specialists at the helm, forward Clarke MacArthur is reportedly feeling much better. Not just better but much better. However, since its a fools act to prognosticate recovery from any head injury, well just leave it at that.Philadelphia Flyers: Injuries are never welcome, but this here is somewhat fortuitous timing for the Flyers. With his three-game suspension complete, Brayden Schenn is set to return to Phillys lineup just as Michael Raffl is ruled out for the next two weeks with an upper-body injury. This allows coach Dave Hakstol the luxury of plugging Schenn in Raffls place on the top line with Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds, no fuss or muss. Charged up after sitting out over a week, Schenn presents as a particularly appealing DFS play against the Ducks on Thursday.Pittsburgh Penguins: Defenseman Kris Letang is hurt again. This time, the Penguins elite blueliner is listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Look for Justin Schultz or Trevor Daley to anchor Pittsburghs top power play in Letangs stead.San Jose Sharks: Netminder Aaron Dell was impressive in his NHL coming-out party, stopping 20 of 23 shots in Tuesdays 3-2 win over the Islanders. Unfortunately for Dell -- and fantasy owners desperate for any and all goaltending help -- the Sharks arent scheduled to play back-to-back games again until late November. Which means its Martin Jones show between now and then.St. Louis Blues: Recovering ahead of schedule from an elbow injury, Jaden Schwartz is tapped to make his 2016-17 debut on a top line with Alexander Steen and Vladimir Tarasenko, booting David Perron to the third unit with Patrik Berglund. Meanwhile, the cobbled-together second forward line including Paul Stastny, Nail Yakupov and Robby Fabbri should remain intact following Jori Lehteras placement on injured reserve. The Blues are in Edmonton to face Cam Talbot (3.92 GAA/.886 save percentage) and the Oilers on Thursday.Tampa Bay Lightning: As it stands, forward Ryan Callahan appears on pace to return from offseason hip surgery in early November. But with the Lightnings top six humming along nicely, a third-line role is likely in store for the 31-year-old veteran, diluting his fantasy potential -- at least until the injury bug bites.Toronto Maple Leafs: Four games in, netminder Jhonas Enroth is tapped to make his Maple Leafs debut on Thursday in Minnesota. A strong performance by Enroth, who was better than good in limited play as the Kings backup last season, could give Leafs coach Mike Babcock pause, considering the 11 goals allowed by Frederik Andersen through the first three games. Never mind that Andersen is the perceived No. 1 in Toronto -- Babcock wants to win. Keep an eye out.Vancouver Canucks: Not yet feeling up to snuff (click the link for a personalized and detailed accounting) Ryan Miller is pegged to dress as backup to Jacob Markstrom in Thursdays tilt with the Sabres. Markstrom has been solid to begin this campaign (2-0, 1.97 goals-against average, .913 save percentage) and could provide value in a spot start across the ice from a banged-up Buffalo squad.Washington Capitals: Dont count on 65-plus games from Braden Holtby this season. In light of the condensed schedule, Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post reports backup Philipp Grubauer is in line for a greater share of starts. What youre seeing with the schedule is that there are some more back-to-backs, but also, youre playing every second day, Capitals coach Barry Trotz said earlier this week. ... I said to the goaltenders, if I could go Grubi one game and then Holts three, that type of situation, that would be in the perfect world what Id like to do. How were playing and when were playing and our travel and all of that sort of messes with that. Additionally, Grubauers first career shutout Tuesday wont dissuade his head coach from giving Holtby another break, sooner rather than later.Winnipeg Jets: With No. 1 Jonathan Quick nursing a serious groin injury, theres been talk of potential interest on behalf of the Kings in demoted Jets netminder Ondrej Pavelec. However, now that were learning Quick is choosing to forego major surgery, with a return loosely projected for early January, that chatter might subside. (ESPN Insiders can check out why Rob Vollman believes the Kings will manage just fine without Quick.) This means Pavelec is destined to compete in the AHL for a while yet, assuming Connor Hellebuyck and/or Michael Hutchinson stay healthy and sufficiently competent. ' ' '