To say that Bob Baffert was confident that American Freedom would win the Iowa Derby on Friday night at Prairie Meadows would be an understatement, and American Freedom backed up his trainers belief, as well as all the money bet on him to win, scoring a dominant 4 3/4-length victory over Texas Chrome as the 3-10 favorite.American Freedom won for the third time in four races while putting to rest any notion that he needed a wet track to show his best. Sandwiched between wins in his debut over a sloppy Churchill Downs track and the Sir Barton Stakes in Pimlico mud was a sixth-place, fast-track finish in the Pat Day Mile. Baffert said this week that American Freedom just didnt show up in the Pat Day Mile and that his off-track success was mere coincidence. And he was right.American Freedom and jockey Rafael Bejarano were prepared to settle into a comfortable pressing trip into the first turn of the Grade 3, $250,000 Iowa Derby when the rail-drawn Lookin for a Kiss got rank and started lugging out. With Lookin for a Kiss more intent on battling his rider than his pace rival, Bejarano decided turning onto the backstretch that hed seen enough and let American Freedom go to the front.American Freedom went a half-mile in a manageable 47.75 seconds, with Lookin for a Kiss hemmed down to his inside, was challenged around the far turn by Texas Chrome, but disposed of that foe in upper stretch and drew away in the final furlong as much the best. He ran 1-1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:42.62 and paid just $2.60 to win.Texas Chrome finished four lengths in front of Hint of Roses, who was followed across the line by Lookin for a Kiss, Catfish Creek, and Colonel Dan. Synchrony and The Rouge Diesel were scratched.Ive been working this horse a lot of times, and hes been working good every time, Bejarano said. He was ready for this race. I felt confident in the stretch.American Freedom, owned by Gary and Mary West, was purchased for $500,000 as a yearling at Keeneland. Hes by Pulpit and is out of the Pleasant Tap mare Gotcha Last. Baffert said this week that if American Freedom ran to expectations Friday, he probably would be pointed to the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park or the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga. http://www.eaglesrookiestore.com/Eagles-Malcolm-Jenkins-Jersey/ . Hargreaves began his career in 2008 with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and has played with the Edmonton Eskimos and last season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. http://www.eaglesrookiestore.com/Eagles-Harold-Carmichael-Jersey/ . In taking its goal tally to 99 in all competitions already this season, City delivered another demonstration of its lethal firepower at Etihad Stadium to set up a fourth-round match at home to another second-tier team -- Watford. http://www.eaglesrookiestore.com/Eagles-Chance-Warmack-Jersey/ . The 20-year-old Pelicans big man glanced up and smiled widely at the well-wishers -- a fitting end to a day he wont soon forget. Davis responded to his selection earlier in the day as a Western Conference All-Star with 26 points and 10 rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans overcame a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 98-91 on Friday night. http://www.eaglesrookiestore.com/Eagles-Caleb-Sturgis-Jersey/ . "Theyve both been real good," said Babcock. "Havent changed our minds." A decision has seemingly been made - Sundays Group B-deciding tilt against Finland ahead - but it could not have been an easy one. Price opened the tournament with a sturdy 19-save performance against the Norwegians, yielding just one goal. http://www.eaglesrookiestore.com/Eagles-Jalen-Mills-Jersey/ . Q: Team Canada announces their Olympic roster three weeks from today. Who is general manager Steve Yzerman watching? LeBrun: Over the last 48 hours, hes taken in the home-and-home between the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche with Jamie Benn and Matt Duchene being the obvious targets. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Cornerback Jalen Ramsey was the cant-miss draft pick. Defensive tackle Malik Jackson was the $90 million free agent. Pass-rusher Dante Fowler Jr. was the key piece returning from injury.Rookie Yannick Ngakoue is having as big an impact as any of them for the Jacksonville Jaguars this season.A third-round pick from Maryland, Ngakoue has a team-leading three sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception that set up a touchdown. And the Jaguars (1-3), who have a bye this week, believe hes just getting started.Every year in this league you have guys stepping up and things like that, so its no surprise, Jaguars linebacker Telvin Smith said.You cant look at a piece of paper or a draft pick or what his check is and say, `This guy is going to be this. Thats what I love about this league: Youve got to go out and re-prove yourself every Sunday, every Monday, every Thursday.Every time you step on that field, you have to say, `This is who I am. And right now, hes doing a great job of it.Ngakoue is one of eight NFL players to notch at least one sack in each of the past three weeks. He also has a forced fumble in three straight games, and now leads all rookies in both categories. His three sacks tied him with Kevin Hardy (1996) for the most by a rookie through four games in franchise history.Its not surprising to us because he works like that in practice, coach Gus Bradley said. The cool thing is that he is carrying it over, and if there is a time where he gets stuck or blocked, it doesnt frustrate him to the next play. He recovers quickly and he has been playing at a high level.Ngakoue (pronounced In-GACK-way) played at a high level as a junior at Maryland. He set a school record with 13+ sacks and ranked second in the nation in sacks per game.The Jaguars viewed Ngakoue as a perfect fit at the teams pass-rushing Leo position behind Fowler, the third overall pick in the 2015 draft who missed his rookie season because of a knee injury.Its an important spot in Bradleys 4-3 scheme and one the Jaguars failed to fill the previous three years with Jason Babin, Jeremy MMincey, Chris Clemons, Andre Branch, Ryan Davis and Chris Smith.ddddddddddddJacksonville parted ways with Clemons and Branch after last season, clearing the way for Fowler to step right into a starting role. But they needed a backup.First-year defensive coordinator Todd Wash felt Ngakoue could be the guy, maybe even more.It was a situation where I was standing on the table earlier in the draft for him, Wash said. I loved him coming out. I know his temperament, his ability and I think youre starting to see more. ... We really like what weve seen in the draft and what were getting right now out of him.The revamped Jaguars rank sixth in the NFL in total defense, averaging 304.5 yards a game, and insist the unit is only going to get better the longer the new faces continue to jell.Ramsey has been better than anyone expected, starting from Day 1 and basically shutting down top receivers every week.Jackson has provided consistent pressure up the middle, keeping quarterbacks in the pocket and providing the catalyst for many of the teams 12 sacks. Fowler has been solid, too, with two sacks and several big plays.Ngakoue has been just as good, especially considering he hasnt been on the field nearly as much.Got to play with a chip, Ngakoue said. Always underestimated and always out to prove something each and every day. Just because I made it to this level, its not the end. Its just the beginning. Thats my mentality each and every day.Its a good approach to have, especially as a rookie whos had some early success.The Jaguars love it, almost as much as they do his past three performances.His first step is really good, Wash said. He can cover some ground vertically. He has the ability to lean and bend. He not only is a speed guy, but has enough man in him to be a power rusher also. You cant be a one-trick pony when youre rushing the passer, so were very excited about him.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Cheap Jerseys China NFL Jerseys China NFL Jerseys Wholesale Discount Basketball Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys Authentic Cheap Baseball Jerseys Free Shipping Cheapest College Jerseys Sale Cheap Football Jerseys China Nike NFL Jerseys Canada Wholesale NHL Jerseys From China MLB Jerseys Outlet Canada Wholesale NBA Jerseys Canada Store Cheap Soccer Jerseys China Cheap Authentic Jerseys Canada ' ' '