Stories by Joe Luciano

Secret Oath delivers with impressive Azeri victory HOT SPRINGS -- Not much on opening statements, Secret Oath's closing argument Saturday was one that Perry Mason might have been proud to deliver in court.The unofficial horse of the 2021-22 meetin... March 12, 2023

Bailey, Summer Shoes win Downthedustyroad A one-time mixed martial arts fighter, Chel-C Bailey is making steady progress in her new line of work. Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort fans can attest after watching the jockey's first career stakes... March 5, 2023

Nodouble goes to Gar Hole again With his first step out of the gate Saturday, Gar Hole went to the lead and, as they say on the backstretch, improved his position.In a race named for the late Arkansas-bred winner of the 1968 Arkansa... March 5, 2023

Stenmark says Shiffrin ‘better than I was’ To Ingemar Stenmark, all this fuss over Mikaela Shiffrin as she approaches his record of 86 World Cup skiing victories is beside the point.Because the 66-year-old Swede believes the American is alread... February 28, 2023

Arabian Knight delivers for Baffert in Southwest HOT SPRINGS -- Except for the names and a few other changes, the story was the same one Saturday as in the 2015 Rebel Stakes.A Bob Baffert-trained horse won a graded stake in the slop at Oaklawn Racin... January 29, 2023

Wet Paint whips other fillies to claim Martha Washington HOT SPRINGS -- Don't forget that before he became a horse whisperer to Kentucky Derby prospects, Brad Cox displayed a certain charm with fillies.In what seems destined to be a Hall of Fame career,... January 29, 2023

Carribean Caper finally find her race after layoff HOT SPRINGS -- After a long break, one potential star seems geared to go.Columbine Stable's Carribean Caper, a daughter of Speightstown trained by Al Stall, was shipped from Fair Grounds Race Cour... December 17, 2022

Harper, Machado set to tangle in NLCS SAN DIEGO -- Either Bryce Harper or Manny Machado will be playing in the World Series this year.Harper's Philadelphia Phillies will face Machado's San Diego Padres in an all-wild card NL Champ... October 18, 2022

NFL capsules 49ers at FalconsNoonLINE 49ers by 4 1/2SERIES 49ers lead 48-32-1; 49ers beat Falcons 31-13 on Dec. 19LAST WEEK 49ers beat Panthers 37-15; Falcons lost to Buccaneers 21-15ON OFFENSE(RK);49ERS;VS.;FALCO... October 16, 2022

Curry leads Magnolia by Hot Springs Lakeside HOT SPRINGS -- Still looking for its first win, Hot Springs Lakeside fell to Magnolia 55-28 on Friday night at Lakeside Stadium.Fresh off a 42-14 road loss to Camden Fairview last week, the Rams (0-4,... October 1, 2022

CLASS 6A STATE GIRLS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP: Trio of seniors shoot 76, tied after opening round A Cabot golfer who carried an emotional burden through last season's Class 6A state girls golf championship is in a three-way tie for the lead after the first round of the two-round event this sea... September 28, 2022

Hunter Yurachek: Hogs near ‘level we all want’ Hunter Yurachek knew from the start his priority as the University of Arkansas' athletic director was to help produce a successful football program."Obviously, your football program is the fl... September 20, 2022

Lots to like from Razorbacks, Paul Finebaum tells Little Rock Touchdown Club Radio and television sports talk show host Paul Finebaum said he learned a lesson the last time he was in Little Rock, 10 years ago.Finebaum was back to address the Little Rock Touchdown Club's lu... September 13, 2022

Solunar tables Solunar tablesThe schedule of solunar periods has been taken from Mrs. Richard Alden Knight's Solunar Tables. Plan days so you will be fishing in good territory or hunting in good cover during the... August 7, 2022

Forwards set to be in focus at NBA Draft Forwards are expected to dominate Thursday's NBA Draft, starting with the trio of Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren, Auburn's Jabari Smith and Duke's Paolo Banchero. They are the headliners at t... June 21, 2022

Letruska adds to her legacy, wins second Apple Blossom HOT SPRINGS -- The difference between this season and last in the Grade I Apple Blossom Handicap is the second- and third-place superstar finishers have no immediate plans to retire.Letruska, the 2021... April 24, 2022

STATE SPORTS BRIEFS: UA women win at Mount Sac Relays | UCA in sixth at ASUN Championships TRACK AND FIELDUA women win at Mount Sac RelaysThe University of Arkansas women's 1,600-relay team of Paris Peoples, Rosey Effiong, Jada Baylark and Morgan Burks-Magee ran 3:30.23 for the top coll... April 18, 2022

Favorite Lone Rock solid in Temperence Hill win HOT SPRINGS -- A bit of a bump with his stablemate was overcome by the winner, who matched the bettors' confidence.R. A. Hill Stable's and Flying P Stable's Lone Rock, ridden at even-money... April 4, 2022

Pretty Birdie flies away with Purple Martin win HOT SPRINGS -- Sometimes with racehorses, beauty and speed are correlated.As an example, look to the Marylou Whitney Stables' Pretty Birdie, winner of the $150,000 6-furlong Purple Martin Stakes f... March 27, 2022

Scramble scheme puts Miami into Sweet 16 AP Basketball WriterCORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) -- To fully understand how long Miami coach Jim Larrañaga has been teaching the scramble defense, consider that the first instructional video he did ... March 22, 2022

STATE SPORTS BRIEFS: Arkansas rallies past Louisville | Perfect game sparks Bears | Lawson, Morris win at USA meet COLLEGE SOFTBALLArkansas rallies past LouisvilleHannah Gammill capped a four-run inning with a two-out, three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to help Arkansas rally for an 8-5 victory S... February 28, 2022

STATE SPORTS BRIEFS: UALR, ASU each win 2 events at Jaguar Invitational TRACK AND FIELDUALR, ASU each win 2 eventsThe University of Arkansas at Little Rock track and field teams claimed a pair of gold medals and two school records were broken as the Trojans wrapped up the... February 7, 2022

Veteran Rated R Superstar takes star-filled Fifth Season at Oaklawn HOT SPRINGS -- Rated R Superstar posed in the winner's circle as the season's first snowfall dusted Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort.Owned by Danny Caldwell and ridden by David Cabrera at 25-1, 9-... January 16, 2022

NFL Week 18 capsules Washington at GiantsNoonLINE Washington by 7SERIES Giants lead 105-70-4; Washington def. Giants 30-29 on Sept. 16LAST WEEK Washington lost to Eagles 20-16; Giants lost to Bears 29-3ON OFFENSEWASHINGTO... January 9, 2022

Eagles stay tough, sink rival Warriors MAYFLOWER -- The Braxtyn McCuien era of Mayflower basketball ended last March with a heartbreaking loss to Harding Academy in the Class 3A state championship game in Hot Springs.That doesn't mean ... January 8, 2022

Marion's late rally stops W. Memphis MARION -- Marion (11-5, 1-0 5A East) scored the last seven points Friday night at Fidelity Bank Arena to rally past Crittenden County rival West Memphis (7-4, 0-1), 46-41.The Lady Patriots took the le... January 8, 2022

State Sports Briefs FOOTBALLUCA's Hudson entering portalThe University of Central Arkansas suffered a significant loss Friday when All-America receiver Tyler Hudson announced via Twitter that he was entering the tran... January 8, 2022

Hammon to coach Las Vegas Aces Becky Hammon is coming back to the WNBA as a head coach.The veteran San Antonio Spurs assistant took the lead spot with the Las Vegas Aces on Friday."I am so excited to return to the WNBA and gra... January 4, 2022

Week 12 NFL capsules Titans at PatriotsNoon (CBS)LINE Patriots by 7SERIES Patriots lead 25-18-1; Titans def. Patriots 20-13 on Jan. 4, 2020LAST WEEK Titans lost to Texans 22-13; Patriots beat Falcons 25-0ON OFFENSETITANSV... November 28, 2021

No. 1 Gamecocks handle Huskies PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas -- Dawn Staley's top-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks turned up their defense in the fourth quarter to turn away UConn.Aliyah Boston had 22 points and 15 rebounds and the G... November 23, 2021

Cowboys expect healthier days ahead The NFC East race is tightening up on Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys, who could be without the quarterback's top two receivers in another game with the best pair of defensive ends sidelined o... November 23, 2021

Chiefs' defense has them on top of AFC West KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Patrick Mahomes has been trying to convince everyone that the Kansas City Chiefs' defense has been playing better.Hard to dispute it now.What was one of the worst defenses in t... November 23, 2021

Week 11 NFL capsules Colts at BillsNoonLINESERIES Bills lead 38-32-1; Bills beat Colts 27-24 on Jan. 9 at BuffaloLAST WEEK Colts beat Jaguars 23-17; Bills beat New York Jets 45-17ON OFFENSECOLTS;VS.;BILLS(6) 136.3;RUSHING... November 21, 2021

'86 battle resulted in friendship for QBs University of Houston quarterback Andre Ware passed for more yards in 1989 than Quinn Grovey did in his entire career at the University of Arkansas, but Grovey got the better of Ware, that season'... November 16, 2021

NFL Week 10 capsules Falcons at CowboysNoon (Fox)LINESERIES Cowboys lead 18-11; Cowboys beat Falcons 40-39 on Sept. 20, 2020LAST WEEK Falcons beat Saints 27-25; Cowboys lost to Broncos 30-16ON OFFENSEFALCONS;VS.;COWBOYS(2... November 14, 2021

Championship pits top owners CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- NASCAR's championship has come down to a pair of Hall of Fame team owners, two Chevrolets against two Toyotas, racing in the Arizona desert for the sport's top prize. Rick Hendrick... November 2, 2021

Fab Four of July acquisitions lead Braves to WS HOUSTON -- Atlanta had just stumbled again, losing its seventh straight attempt to reach .500. "This isn't going to define our season, this series," Braves Manager Brian Snitker said that night at Ne... October 26, 2021

Week 6 NFL Capsules Dolphins vs. Jaguars 8:30 a.m. (NFLN) LINE Dolphins by 3 SERIES Tied 5-5; Dolphins beat Jaguars 31-13 on Sept. 24, 2020 LAST WEEK Dolphins lost to Buccaneers 45-17; Jaguars lost to Titans 37-19 O... October 17, 2021

State Sports Briefs MEN'S SOCCER Williams Baptist nips Ouachita Joao Costa scored in the 84th minute to lead Williams Baptist University to a 1-0 victory over Ouachita Baptist University in an exhibition match Saturday... August 29, 2021

STATE SPORTS BRIEF: UA's Perico wins at Arnold Palmer Cup GOLF UA's Perico wins at Arnold Palmer Cup University of Arkansas senior Julian Perico, playing for Team International, won the first four holes against Vanderbilt's William Moll (Team USA) and clo... June 14, 2021

State Sports Briefs BASEBALL HSU advances at NCAA regionals Trailing 7-5 in the bottom of the 11th inning, sixth-seeded Henderson State University scored three runs without putting the ball in play to walk off against ... May 30, 2021

State Sports Briefs MEN'S TENNIS Arkansas loses at TCU TCU, the No. 7 national seed, beat the University of Arkansas men's tennis team 4-0 in a first-round NCAA Tournament match Saturday in Fort Worth. The No. 43 Razo... May 9, 2021

STATE SPORTS BRIEFS: UALR third, ASU fourth at Sun Belt tourney | UCA falls to Stephen F. Austin MEN'S GOLF UALR third, ASU fourth at Sun Belt tourney The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is in third place and Arkansas State is fourth after the opening round of the Sun Belt Championships i... April 26, 2021

STATE SPORTS BRIEFS: Central Arkansas falls to Houston Baptist | Sugar Bears sign two | ASU 5th, UALR 9th at Sun Belt tournament SOFTBALL Central Arkansas falls to Houston Baptist Autumn Sydlik hit two home runs for Houston Baptist in a 2-1 victory over the University of Central Arkansas on Sunday in Houston. Sydlik's secon... April 19, 2021

At the Post SATURDAY'S ESTIMATED ATTENDANCE 8,000 SATURDAY'S ON-TRACK HANDLE $908,203 SATURDAY'S OFF-TRACK HANDLE $12,331,718 SATURDAY'S TOTAL HANDLE $13,239,921 TODAY'S SIMULCAST SCHEDULE Tampa Bay, 11:15 a.... April 18, 2021

STATE SPORTS BRIEFS: Arkansas State tops Louisiana-Lafayette | UALR rallies past South Alabama | Central Arkansas gets another sweep BASEBALL Arkansas State tops Louisiana-Lafayette Arkansas State University scored nine of its 16 runs in the seventh through ninth innings to earn a 16-11 victory over Louisiana-Lafayette on Sunday... April 12, 2021

State Sports Briefs COLLEGE BASEBALL Central Arkansas tops Lamar The University of Central Arkansas used solid pitching Sunday to defeat the Lamar 6-1 to split their Southland Conference series in Beaumont, Texas. Sen... March 22, 2021

At the post SUNDAY'S ESTIMATED ATTENDANCE 1,600 SUNDAY'S TOTAL HANDLE $4,536,944 SUNDAY'S ON-TRACK HANDLE $165,680 SUNDAY'S OFF-TRACK HANDLE $4,371,264 BACK TO CALIFORNIA Concert Tour and Hozier were to be f... March 15, 2021

Rick Lee's Oaklawn selections and analysis LEE'S LOCK West Side Girl in the fourth BEST BET Best You Ever Seen in the third LONG SHOT Treasure Trove in the eighth SATURDAY'S RESULTS xxxxx MEET 20-72 (27.8%) confident choice *plenty to li... February 7, 2021

At the Post SATURDAY'S ESTIMATED ATTENDANCE 2,350 SATURDAY'S TOTAL HANDLE $4,814,069 SATURDAY'S ON-TRACK HANDLE $304,734 SATURDAY'S OFF-TRACK HANDLE $4,509,335 TODAY'S SIMULCAST SCHEDULE Laurel Park, 11:25 a.... February 7, 2021