SportsBet Magazine April 2017

ARROGANT ARROGATE TRAVEL: LUXURY LONDON APRIL 2017

NBA ROAD TO THE FINALS

+AFL MLB SEASON SPECIALS

ULTIMATE MASTERS PREVIEW

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTENTS IN EVERY ISSUE

Letter from the Editor 8 Masthead 10 Industry Insider 34

IN FOCUS

US Masters 12 Arrogant Arrogate 26 Road to the Kentucky Derby 28 Men’s Gift Guide 64

SPORTS

Golf 12 NBA 16 MLB 22 Horse Racing 26 Football 36 NFL 44 AFL 46 Boxing vs UFC 50 Surfing 52

M ANLINESS

58 Style 62 Grillers’ Corner 63 Man Cave Must Haves

HEALTH & FITNESS

68 Health is Your Wealth: Diet & Fitness

TRAVEL

30 Luxury London

BUSINESS

66 Money & Career

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

EDITOR’S LETTER It is with a true passion that I bring to you the April issue of SportsBet Magazine.

Spring is in the air and thus all weekend Golfers are experts come day 1 of the 81st edition of the Master’s. MLB and AFL seasons are ready to get underway, and the road to the NBA finals is on the countdown.

Inside the issue our expert analysts breakdown all the latest news, trends and not to miss events for the month of April.

MICK MCCABE

editor-in-chief CONTACT EMAIL: MICHAEL@ SPORTSBETMAGAZINE.COM @SPORTSBETMAG @SPORTSBETMAGAZINE

With the NBA making headlines of late, I felt it important to reflect on the why and the now. Commissioner Adam Silver has been attacking organizations for resting stars and promising harsh punishments for teams not notifying the league in due time. From a sports betting perspective we know all too well to wait till the last minute to see if Coach Popovich is going to pull the pin and rest his entire starting lineup, or if Lebron sits when the Cavaliers are games clear on top in the Eastern conference. It just makes sense for the coaching staff and organization to prepare their team in the best possible manner to tackle a championship. I find myself asking, Adam Silver why now? This has been going on for seasons, not to mention teams resting starters with large leads in 4th quarters and so forth. Then as I pondered, a Draftkings commercial appeared at half time of my prime time TNT match up, then another floor space logo appeared and it started to make sense. The credibility of Daily Fantasy Sports and its integrity especially as a “skill based game” is only intact if we as players are provided with adequate in time information. Otherwise we are simple gambling on whether coach Popovich rest or starts his players, how Lebron is feeling on a back to back. The revenue generated from DFS for the league and organizations is in serious jeopardy if the commissioner does not crackdown on late changes. Draftkings is already making changes to daily games to not include the later games for there 4.00 deadline. Suddenly it all made sense! We know the majors NBA, MLB, NHL have all been in favor of legalizing sports betting in the US, now with a taste of the income from DFS and the NFL headed to Las Vegas we are finally scratching the surface.

We hope you enjoy the issue and SportsBet Magazine will continue to be your ultimate resource for always coming out on top. Welcome to the issue and to SportsBet Magazine.

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MASTHEAD

PUBLISHER Michael McCabe

EXECUTIVE M AN AGING EDITOR Ian Wilson

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GOLF

→

THE 81st EDITION OF THE MASTERS

Spring is in the air and that means it’s time for the 2017 Masters.

The 81st edition of the Masters Tournament and the first of golf’s four major championships to be held in 2017 is scheduled to commence from April 6–9 at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.

Masters played in 2014. Here’s what his three Masters starts look like: T2, Win, T2.

What will we see this year at Augusta National Golf Club? Will there be a first-time major winner at the Masters for the sixth time since 2007? If so, that would make for the sixth consecutive first-time major winner since Jason Day claimed the 2015 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits. Could Dustin Johnson become the first player since Tiger Woods in 2005 to win the Masters as the world’s No. 1-ranked player?

Or, could it be, that someone sneaks up and surprises us all, turning in a masterful final-day performance like defending champion Danny Willett did 12 months ago?

Does Rory McIlroy claim his first green jacket and, in so doing, achieve the career grand slam?

Perhaps Jordan Spieth extends his remarkable trend since his first

Maybe Jason Day becomes just the second Australian-born player, joining Adam Scott from 2013, to win at Augusta National.

Whatever happens, we anticipate it will be fascinating, as it always is and here’s our compiled list of top contenders and trends to follow on Golf’s biggest stage.

KEYS TO WINNING

There are really three -- and they’re the same at Augusta National every year: • Minimize three putts • Take advantage of the four par 5s

• And, most importantly, don’t get ahead of yourself That last point is the internal battle every contender needs to deal with once they hit the back nine on Sunday. They need to realize no lead is safe. Spieth led by five strokes when he made the turn in 2016 and disaster struck at the par-3 12th.

McIlroy began the final round in 2011 with a four-shot advantage.

By the time he stepped to the 11th tee, he was 4 over for the day after suffering a triple-bogey 7 on the 10th hole and wound up shooting an 80.

When they say, “The Masters doesn’t start until the back nine on Sunday,” that, my friends, is a real thing.

W E AT H E R

Fortunately, the forecast for Masters week appears to be improving by the day. Mother Nature, of course, can change things at the drop of a dime.

Just a couple days ago, it looked like rain throughout the week. Now it’s looking a bit more encouraging with

temperatures in the mid-70s to low80s and relatively dry outside of a scattered thunderstorm on Thursday and a 60 percent chance of rain for the final day.

Should Augusta National stay bone dry and the course is playing firm and fast for everyone, don’t be surprised to see a player like Zach Johnson slip into another green jacket. While Augusta National is certainly a bomber’s paradise (very little rough), it also helps the guys who aren’t the longest if the fairways are hard and fast.

TOP CONTENDERS

JORDAN SPIE TH

BEST M ASTERS FINISH: 1 (2015) L AST THREE M ASTERS: T-2, 1, 2 THIS YEAR: Picture of consistency, with a win and four top-10s on the West Coast swing.

WHY HE COULD WIN: Has tightened up his ball striking, which is bad news for peers. Plus he has the same putter that led to two major titles in 2015.

HOLDING HIM BACK: Bad luck with the draw? Looming thoughts about his disastrous play at No. 12 last year? Both seem unlikely.

DUSTIN JOHNSON

BEST M ASTERS FINISH: T-4 (2016) L AST THREE M ASTERS: T-4, T-6, MC THIS YEAR: Took over top spot in world and has won three times.

Might be peaking at the right time.

WHY HE COULD WIN: Led the Masters in putting last year with a sizzling 26.5 putts per round. Ability to overpower the course gives him a chance to lap the field someday.

HOLDING HIM BACK: Steady decline in greens in regulation stats at Augusta National.

RORY MCILROY

BEST M ASTERS FINISH: 4 (2015) L AST THREE M ASTERS: T-10, 4, T-8 THIS YEAR: A rib injury curtailed plans for an ambitious pre-Masters schedule, potentially adding pressure to finally break through at Augusta National.

WHY HE COULD WIN: Power, confidence, maturity and desire to join the career Grand Slam club.

When the course is rain-softened, few other players can still overpower the lengthened ANGC like McIlroy.

Holding him back: His bad days are bad. In ’14 and ’16 Masters, posted 77s to fall out of the hunt. Putting

also needs improvement: After ranking fifth in his debut, never has ranked better than 27th.

PHIL MICKELSON

BEST M ASTERS FINISH: 1 (2004, 2006, 2010) LAST THREE MASTERS: T-2, MC, T-16 THIS YEAR: Coming off of two sports hernia surgeries in the offseason, he has finished in the top 10 of both his starts this month.

WHY HE COULD WIN: Threetime champion is 46, and just as expectations were low in 1986 for Jack Nicklaus at the same age, there might be reduced pressure on Lefty. His power and short game remain as strong as ever. Last year’s runner-up and a heartbreaking loss in British Open show he still gets up for majors.

HOLDING HIM BACK: Normally impeccable iron player has struggled this year. Must fix that to contend given his tendency to hit a lot of greens at Augusta National, including last year when he hit 70.8 percent. Having not recorded a win since 2013 has to be bothering him, too.

HIDEKI M ATSUYAM A

BEST M ASTERS FINISH: 5 (2015) L AST THREE M ASTERS: T-7, 5, MC THIS YEAR: Three wins and two seconds on the PGA Tour since October.

WHY HE COULD WIN: Possesses all the tools to win at ANGC, where he played twice as an amateur. Closed with a 66 Sunday last year and has putted well there in all but his 2014 missed cut. Doesn’t seem fazed by the pressure that comes with being Japan’s great hope. Improvement in driving distance this year bodes well, as does his ability to consistently contend and rack up titles.

HOLDING HIM BACK: Finished T-7 last year despite so-so driving accuracy and distance compared to his normal game.

RICKIE FOWLER

BEST M ASTERS FINISH: T-5 (2014) L AST THREE M ASTERS: MC, T-12, T-5 THIS YEAR: Big win at Honda Classic along with top-6s his first five starts. The win vaulted him up

the list of favorites despite some loose final-round shots at PGA National.

WHY HE COULD WIN: Past performance suggests he will continue strong putting at Augusta, where he has twice led the field in putting – he holds an edge over everyone in field but Spieth.

Holding him back: Shocking MC last year when coming in as hot as he is this season. Needs to improve fairly mediocre driving at Augusta.

HENRIK STENSON

BEST M ASTERS FINISH: T-14 (2014) L AST THREE M ASTERS: T-24, T-19, T-14 THIS YEAR: Consistent 2016 has continued into early 2017 European Tour play, highlighted by a second in Dubai. He finished seventh at the Valspar before missing the cut at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

WHY HE COULD WIN: The British Open Champion (in spectacular fashion) has always driven well at Augusta and has improved his approach play over the past five

years. Appears to be getting better and steadier with age.

HOLDING HIM BACK:Has posted some shockingly high numbers at ANGC, including three rounds in the 80s. Also needs to sort out struggles on the greens for a long-overdue contending role.

ADAM SCOT T

BEST M ASTERS FINISH: 1 (2013) LAST THREE MASTERS: T-42, T-38, T-14 THIS YEAR: Top-15 machine in the fall, and early 2017 starts suggest Scott has come back sharp from off-season break. Early putting was strong, while the rest of short game has not been so hot.

WHY HE COULD WIN: Ball striking prowess, power and extreme comfort makes him dangerous at Augusta every year. Raw emotions appear to have subsided after anchoring ban.

HOLDING HIM BACK: Putting is the key for Scott on a course where he has driven the ball consistently long and accurately in his 15 starts. Will he miss his long putter at Augusta National?

BETTING * DUSTIN JOHNSON JORDAN SPIE TH RORY MCILROY HIDEKI M ATSUYAM A JASON DAY JON RAHM HENRIK STENSON JUSTIN ROSE JUSTIN THOM AS PHIL MICKELSON RICKIE FOWLER ADAM SCOT T BUBBA WATSON PAUL CASEY SERGIO GARCI A BRANDT SNEDEKER BROOKS KOEPKA LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN M AT THEW FITZPATRICK PATRICK REED T YRRELL H AT TON CH ARL SCHWARTZEL GARY WOODL AND M ARC LEISHM AN M AT T KUCH AR THOM AS PIE TERS TIGER WOODS TOMMY FLEE T WOOD ADAM H ADWIN ALEX NOREN BRANDEN GRACE

6.00 8.00 8.00 17.00 17.00 23.00 26.00 26.00 26.00 26.00 26.00 29.00 34.00 41.00 41.00 51.00 51.00 51.00 51.00 51.00 51.00 67.00 67.00 67.00 67.00 67.00 67.00 67.00 81.00 81.00 81.00

JIMMY WALKER LEE WEST WOOD BYEONG-HUN AN DANIEL BERGER DANNY WILLE T T JB HOLMES JIM FURYK SH ANE LOWRY Z ACH JOHNSON

81.00 81.00 101.00 101.00 101.00 101.00 101.00 101.00 101.00

BASKETBALL

→ NBA: ROAD TO THE FINALS While both teams still have issues to sort out, the Cavaliers and Warriors remain heavy favorites to reach the NBA Finals for a third straight year, setting up a trilogy the likes of which the league has never seen.

But don’t pencil in Warriors-Cavs III just yet. Behind the two star–studded squads is a host of challengers looking to crash the party.

The Cavs are locked in a fierce battle with the Celtics for the top spot in the East as the NBA season winds down, while the reinforced Wizards and Raptors lurk behind as potential playoff obstacles as well. In the West, Kevin Durant remains sidelined, leaving the Warriors potentially vulnerable to juggernauts like the Spurs and Rockets.

Outside of Cleveland and Golden State, which NBA team is most likely to emerge from this year’s playoff gauntlet and reach the Finals?

THE WEST

SAN ANTONIO SPURS

San Antonio’s hopes of sneaking past the Warriors begin with the premise that no other Western Conference team is better set to slow both

Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry at the same time. Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green are smart, relentless defenders—the kind capable of putting Golden State’s finest in uncomfortable positions and subtly prompting the remaining Warriors to beat them. That can be a dangerous game when the other Warriors in question include Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, but this is the lot of a Western Conference spoiler. What matters is that the Spurs could plausibly control important dimensions of the game: the three-point line (where San Antonio ranks as one of the best in the league in both containment and percentage allowed) and the passing lanes (where Curry, when under pressure, can get a little sloppy) that enable Golden State’s viciously efficient offense. Apply the clamps there and a winning formula begins to materialize.

Keeping up their own scoring to match won’t be easy, but the Spurs orchestrate well enough to target the Warriors’ switches, exploit mismatches, and clean up the offensive glass against any overhelp. A size dynamic that nearly

felled Golden State in last year’s Western Conference Finals still applies. Golden State can be bullied a bit—enough, perhaps, to control the margin and dictate terms against the most terrifying lineups in the league.​

HOUSTON ROCKE TS

The Rockets don’t have a particularly easy path to the Finals.

James Harden and Co. would have to topple both the Spurs AND the Warriors to make it to the championship round, which is obviously a tall task. But here’s why it could happen!

If James Harden really is the MVP of the NBA, or the co-MVP, or one of two players having the best season, that has to mean something at some point, right? In a potential secondround matchup against the Spurs, Harden has a chance to be the best player on the court. That’s in no way a knock on Kawhi Leonard, but Harden has been a consistent force on offense this year in ways we’ve never seen before. Is it crazy to think Harden could raise his game one more level to sink the Spurs?

The Warriors won’t be an easy out, but if there’s one team that can shoot with Golden State, it’s Houston.

Steph Curry and Klay Thompson are No. 1 and No. 2 in three-pointers made this season, but Harden and Eric Gordon are right behind them at three and four, with Ryan Anderson and Trevor Ariza also in the top 11.

If the Rockets can get super hot from outside (and the Dubs go a little cold), the volatility of three-point shooting could be enough to make it a series. Also slightly supporting the argument: Houston has wins over San Antonio and Golden State on the road this season.

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS

The Clippers? They’ve never been great candidates for “breakthrough” or “spoiler.” They’re great for other things: Bad benches, blown leads and playoff disappointment. The Clippers are used to crashing their own title hopes—see: Game 6 of the 2015 Western Conference semifinals against Houston—not crashing others. This is despite the fact the Clippers have one of the greatest point guards in NBA history, one of the game’s great young forwards,

and a center whose grown from a late second-round pick into one of the game’s best big men.

And yet, the Clippers don’t have a chance to make the NBA Finals unless J.J. Redick is totally healthy once the playoffs begin and Doc Rivers can get reasonable production from his bench. Austin Rivers has emerged as a necessary piece to their success—his defense is outstanding and his decision-making

has improved since his younger days—and Marreese Speights lets them stretch the offense a bit.

Even Raymond Felton has given the Clippers valuable minutes this season, but the post depth is bad and the Clippers haven’t had a valuable rookie since Griffin in 2010. Doc Rivers hasn’t been able to cultivate any depth since he’s controlled the roster, and it’s bound to burn the Clips again.

The upside? When the Clippers coalesce, they’re a fast and frightening unit that can keep pace with the Warriors. They can win two playoff series if the bench plays to the best of its abilities. But given the dreadful playoff history and recent struggles, it’s hard to see them crash the NBA Finals... but it’s not impossible!

THE EAST

TORONTO RAPTORS

The Raptors are no strangers to sniffing the Finals. After trailing the Cavs 2-0 in the 2016 Eastern Conference finals, Toronto evened things north of the border, winning its next two contests. DeMar DeRozan shook and shimmied his way to over 30 points in both games, and Kyle Lowry’s 35-point eruption in Game Four knotted the series at two.

Unfortunately, that eruption also woke up the Cavaliers, who went on to win 4–2, and left the Raptors short of the Finals once again. But as the playoffs approach, Toronto will soon get another chance to supplant LeBron and Co. atop the Eastern Conference.

Lowry and DeRozan still hold the keys for Toronto and rightly so. Both are wonderful scorers and creators off the dribble, capable of taking over games at any time. But despite

the presence of the two All-Stars, the Raptors’ best chance to dethrone the Cavs comes from their improved frontcourt.

Raptors GM Masai Ujuri added a pair of standout defenders before the deadline, acquiring both Serge Ibaka and P.J. Tucker. Ibaka will provide enhanced rim protection without sacrificing offensive competence—unlike the jettisoned Bismack Biyombo—and Tucker will take on the defensive assignment of guarding James. If Toronto can crash the boards and make James look mortal, their standout guards can secure the series.

That said, I wouldn’t bet the house on it. Games 5 and 6 of last year’s conference finals were a shredding, as Cleveland dispatched the Raptors with two blowout victories. As long as James and Kyrie Irving are healthy, Toronto faces an uphill battle against the champs.

BOSTON CELTICS

In case you haven’t bothered to notice, the Celtics—nope, not the —are in first place in the Eastern Conference. That usually portends well for the postseason, and with Cleveland floundering a bit and Boston staked to a half-game lead, that home–court advantage may just wind up meaning something this time around. First and foremost, the Celtics need to hang onto a top–two seed to guarantee avoiding LeBron until the conference finals (which seems doable). They’ll have to go through the rival Wizards or the Raptors, both of which present tricky matchups. But the C’s have the personnel to sneak-attack the rest of the conference and make everyone who was mad about their lack of deadline activity recant.

To start, the Celtics need Isaiah Thomas to be his best self at all times. Teams will game plan harder for him in the playoffs (like we saw last year), and he’s going to take a beating in the paint. Thomas can be a defensive sieve with his size and strength disadvantages, so he needs to break even with the type of offensive output he’s fully capable of providing. Boston has willing,

* BETTING EASTERN CONFERENCE WINNER savvy defenders in Marcus Smart, Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder that’ll let them mix and match in critical minutes, and continuous contributions from those guys and rookie Jaylen Brown would really push the envelope. Al Horford’s been at his best this month, which is a great sign. Boston’s weakness, however, remains on the interior, where they’ll have to rebound adequately and find ways to protect the rim when it counts. If they can cover for these weaknesses, they should be able to ride it out to the conference finals at a minimum.

It’s hard to be off the wall confident about winning four games against Toronto or Washington, but it’s certainly doable.

When you put the Celtics up against the Cavs, hypothetically, they have enough quality rotation guys to compete. Cleveland will want to go small, and Boston will have the guys to match them on defense without giving up a ton on the other end. It’ll fall on the shoulders of Thomas to create offense and prevent things from stagnating. With just enough luck, nothing’s too far out of the question for these guys.

WASHINGTON WIZ ARDS

The Wizards might not be likely to make the Finals, but the argument for Washington making a dark– horse run is pretty clear: The team’s starters are really, really good.

Scott Brooks’ starting lineup ranks No. 5 in the league in net rating among five-man groups with at least 300 minutes played. And that’s no fluke—they’ve logged 1,265 minutes as a unit, good for most in the league by a mile.

So in the playoffs, when rotations are shortened, Brooks will be rolling out one of the best starting groups in the league and playing them even more minutes. Washington also has the offensive firepower to win any given game. Otto Porter has slumped a bit since the All-Star break, but he still ranks No. 3 in three-point percentage. Bradley Beal is turning in a breakout season, and is one of just three players in the league averaging at least 23 points per game on 40% three-point shooting.

And trade deadline acquisition Bojan Bogdonovic has given Washington’s bench a desperately-needed jolt, averaging nearly 15 points in a Wizards uniform.

The East still goes through the reigning champs, but the Wizards have played the Cavaliers shockingly well this season. Cleveland won the season series 2–1, but Washington took the most recent matchup, and one of those Cavs wins was only possible thanks to a wild threepointer from LeBron to send the game to overtime. The Wizards know they can play with the East’s elite— we’ll find out if they can beat them in a seven-game series.

CLEVEL AND CAVALIERS 1.36 BOSTON CELTICS 6.00 WASHINGTON WIZ ARDS 4.50 TORONTO RAPTORS 11.00

WESTERN CONFERENCE WINNER GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS 1.36 SAN ANTONIO SPURS 4.75 HOUSTON ROCKE TS 12.00 LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS 21.00

NBA CHAMPIONS GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS 1.82 CLEVEL AND CAVALIERS 4.20 SAN ANTONIO SPURS 6.00 BOSTON CELTICS 19.00 HOUSTON ROCKE TS 13.00 WASHINGTON WIZARDS 29.00 LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS 34.00 TORONTO RAPTORS 34.00

BASEBALL

→ BASEBALL IS BACK! Baseball fans you can rejoice! Major League Baseball’s regular season is here! We are now minutes away at time of print counting down for the 2017 MLB season. Sunday will see six teams open their 162 game seasons, as there will be three games spread out throughout the day. But that is just the start of it all. We have a long season ahead of us. There will be a lot that happens between now and October. While plenty will change over the course of the coming months, it is always helpful to enter the season with a bit of an overview.

So that’s what we are bringing you here. Below is a quick snapshot of what we can expect from each team, who are the favorites for awards and what you need to be prepared for the season.

THE TEAMS

AL EAST

The Boston Red Sox will once again be the favorites to repeat, following the big Winter trade for Chris Sale. The New York Yankees will be banking on the power of

Gary Sanchez, Greg Bird and Matt Holliday as their pitching is a bit sketchy behind Masahiro Tanaka.

The Toronto Blue Jays lost some of their bats, and likely take a step back. The Baltimore Orioles will likely see Kevin Gausman step up, but behind him their pitching is still subpar. And the Tampa Bay Rays will likely be swimming no the bottom of the pool.

AL CENTRAL

The Cleveland Indians look to repeat, with an upgrade in their lineup thanks to the Edwin Encarnacion signing. The Kansas City Royals need to start strong, or they could go into a full firesale with tons of pending free agents after the season.

The Detroit Tigers could also become sellers if they start off slow. As for the Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox, they will be counting on young talent to stay out of the basement.

AL WEST

The Texas Rangers still have the firepower with the bats, and hope

their rotation steps up behind the Darvish-Hamels duo. The Houston Astros made plenty of additions, and are a sneaky World Series contender.

The Seattle Mariners look to once again be a team with hope, and will likely fall flat yet again. The Oakland A’s are the same old team, relying on young guys to lead them to an ok season. And the Los Angeles Angels have made some upgrades and if there pitchers can stay healthy they are a sneaky wild card prospect.

NL EAST

The Washington Nationals are once again loaded, and now get a full season of Trea Turner. The New York Mets rotation looks for a healthy season, which would make them very dangerous. The Miami Marlins will likely be average at best like most seasons. The Atlanta Braves are a team with some serious upside, and I will not count out a sneaky run for the Wild Card. Finally, the Philadelphia Phillies also have some young talent that could lead to a .500 season.

NL CENTRAL

The Chicago Cubs have replaced Aroldis Chapman with Wade Davis, and boast the deepest roster in baseball. The St. Louis Cardinals would be division favorites in almost any other division, but they will likely need to settle for a Wild Card.

The Pittsburgh Pirates need someone to step up on offense, while their rotation sees some intriguing young names. The Milwaukee Brewers could leap the Pirates if everything breaks right, but I still wouldn’t count on it. And the Cincinnati Reds and their fans have little to look forward to.

NL WEST

The Los Angeles Dodgers will hope for a healthier 2017, as they once again remain in contention for the division title. The San Francisco Giants do not have even year magic or much of an offense to count on

this year, but they do still have the arms. The Arizona Diamondbacks have some upside, but they need bounceback years from a ton of their starters. The Colorado Rockies may have one of the best lineups in baseball, but that will be all for naught if they still can’t pitch. And the San Diego Padres are simply the most average team in baseball.

THE AWARDS FAV O R I T E S

NL CY YOUNG

This will once again be a great battle.

Clayton Kershaw is also a top of the preseason list of favorites here. But do not count out his division rival Madison Bumgarner. The Mets’ will have two guys in the thick of it, with Jacob DeGrom and Noah “Thor” Syndergaard striving to be the best.

Then we have the Cubs’ duo, Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester vying for the

top spot. There will surely be other contenders come season’s end, but as things stand right now, these are our most likely candidates.

AL CY YOUNG

While the NL is loaded with great pitchers, the AL is not. Corey Kluber is likely to be one of the favorites at this time, pitching for the league’s top team from a year ago. Do not count out Justin Verlander, who has shown how dominant he can be in the past.

If you are looking for some up and comers, the AL East boasts a few options in Marcus Stroman and Chris Archer. But the real favorite has to be Chris Sale, who will now be sporting Red Socks. This race is much more likely to see someone come out of left field and surprise us all.

NL MVP

Most people will be on the Kris Bryant bandwagon for the repeat.

But his teammate Anthony Rizzo also has to be in the mix for consideration.

There will be the group of people who love Bryce Harper way too much, and as a result he is a preseason contender. If Corey Seager takes another step forward, do not count out the Dodgers’ shortstop. But none of those names will matter, as this could be the year of Nolan Arenado.

AL MVP

Mike Trout, Mookie Betts or Manny Machado. If you ask 100 people who wins this award, 75 percent will say Trout. Another 24 percent will say one of the other two guys. But do not count out the two big names in Houston, Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve. Josh Donaldson always seems to find his way into the discussion as well. Finally, I see this being a year where Francisco Lindor takes another step forward, meaning he may be our sleeper contender in this one. But at the end of the day, Trout still likely walks away with it.

NL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

This was likely going to be a two-man race between Alex Reyes and Dansby Swanson. Then Alex Reyes got hurt and is likely going to miss the entire

2017 MLB season. So this is certainly Swanson’s to lose. If Swanson puts together a halfway decent year, he’s extremely likely to walk away with the trophy. Jose Peraza is another potential candidate here.

AL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

This race is a bit more open than the NL version. The White Sox will present several candidates. Yoan Moncada may be the overall favorite, as the former Red Sox prospect will come with plenty of fanfare. Lucas Giolito, brought over in the Adam Eaton deal, will look to prove himself in the AL. Then we have Andrew Benintendi from the Red Sox, who is my personal pick for the award. Look for things to get interesting in the AL for this one.

YOUNG NON-ROOKIE B R E A K O U T S TA R S

ALEX BREGM AN, HOUSTON ASTROS

Alex Bregman was arguably baseball’s No. 1 prospect when he debuted with the Houston Astros in July. Then everyone seemed to lose interest in him when he got off to a slow start.

Well, he rebounded from that to post a .931 OPS over his final 39 games.

And with one of the lowest groundball percentages in the game, he showed a swing that’s perfect for the Launch Angle Age. There’s power in his future, and it should arrive as soon as, immediately.

JON GRAY, COLORADO ROCKIES

The bad: Jon Gray has a 4.79 ERA in 38 career starts. The extra bad: He’s tasked with pitching at Coors Field, which is like a competitive dancer having to perform on a bed of nails.

But then there’s the good: Gray whiffed 9.9 batters per nine innings last year and found an extra gear in the final two months. He has the stuff to keep that up and pitch like an ace even despite his thin-air disadvantage.

BIGGEST NAMES TRADED

ALEX COBB, TAMPA BAY RAYS

Nearly two years removed from Tommy John surgery, Alex Cobb could help the Tampa Bay Rays contend this season. What’s more

likely is the Rays will struggle to keep up and then try to get something for the right-hander before he becomes a free agent.

BRI AN DOZIER, MINNESOTA T WINS

Brian Dozier’s name was a constant presence in offseason trade rumors.

Though nothing materialized, the Minnesota Twins are going to be flooded with calls from teams in need of Dozier’s power this summer.

TODD FRAZIER, CHICAGO WHITE SOX

It’s like this: The Chicago White Sox are rebuilding, and Todd Frazier is a power hitter who’s a free agent at the end of the year. He should keep a bag packed.

ANDREW MCCUTCHEN, PIT TSBURGH PIRATES

The Pittsburgh Pirates seemed to be this close to trading Andrew McCutchen over the winter. Though

nothing happened, the saga doesn’t seem over yet. The Pirates will keep McCutchen if they contend, but their chances of doing so look iffy.

The 2013 National League MVP will be as good as gone if they’re out of it by July.

JOSE QUINTAN A, CHICAGO WHITE SOX

Since Jose Quintana is under contract through at least 2018, the White Sox don’t need to be in a hurry to trade him. But going off the latest reports, the left-hander being dealt is a matter of when and not if.

DAVID ROBERTSON, CHICAGO WHITE SOX

David Robertson is under contract through 2018 as well. But he’s also a talented reliever, the likes of which are always in demand around the trade deadline. He’ll be moved.

* BETTING 2017 WORLD SERIES WINNER 4.50 7.50 8.00 11.00 11.00 13.00 15.00 19.00 19.00 21.00 23.00 23.00 26.00 29.00 41.00 41.00 41.00 67.00 81.00 81.00 81.00 81.00 101.00 126.00 126.00 126.00 151.00 151.00 151.00 201.00

CHICAGO CUBS BOSTON RED SOX CLEVELAND INDIANS WASHINGTON NATIONALS LOS ANGELES DODGERS HOUSTON ASTROS NEW YORK METS SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS TORONTO BLUE JAYS NEW YORK YANKEES SEATTLE MARINERS ST. LOUIS CARDINALS TEXAS RANGERS DETROIT TIGERS BALTIMORE ORIOLES KANSAS CITY ROYALS PITTSBURGH PIRATES COLORADO ROCKIES ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS LOS ANGELES ANGELS MIAMI MARLINS TAMPA BAY RAYS ATLANTA BRAVES MINNESOTA TWINS OAKLAND ATHLETICS PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES CHICAGO WHITE SOX CINCINNATI REDS MILWAUKEE BREWERS SAN DIEGO PADRES

HORCE RACING

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ARROGATE - THE RICHEST RACEHORSE IN NORTH AMERICA’S HISTORY

SIRE | UNBRIDLED’S SONG GRANDSIRE | UNBRIDLED DAM | BUBBLER DAMSIRE | DISTORTED HUMOR SEX | COLT FOALED | APRIL 11, 2013[1] COUNTRY | UNITED STATES COLOR | GRAY BREEDER | CLEARSKY FARMS OWNER | JUDDMONTE FARMS TRAINER | BOB BAFFERT RECORD | 8: 7-0-1 EARNINGS | $17,084,600

HOW GOOD IS HE…

The best in the world and it isn’t even close! Arrogate stormed onto the seen in the 2016 Travers Stakes breaking a track record in his very first stakes appearance. He then won the Breeders’ Cup Classic and was named the American Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse and

World’s Best Racehorse of 2016. To start his four year old campaign, he won the 2017 Pegasus World Cup in a new track record followed by a win in the Dubai World Cup. Despite having only four stakes race wins to his name, he is now the leading money earner in North America of all-time.

Yes, that good.

DUBAI WORLD CUP & WH AT THE FUTURE M AY HOLD

Juddmonte Farm’s Arrogate blew away the competition against all odds after a nightmarish start in last Saturday’s Dubai World Cup, and Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert said that the colt will get a well-deserved vacation before his next race. Despite the 4-year-old son of Unbridled Song’s four consecutive jaw-dropping performances, Baffert told drf.com that the champion “wasn’t really tired after the race” on Sunday.

Immediate plans call for Arrogate to be shipped back to the United States on Wednesday, after which the team will begin to plan out a campaign that would culminate in the 2017 Breeders’ Cup Classic. Tiznow is the

only horse to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic in back-to-back years, but Arrogate appears a large threat to join him on that pedestal.

If Baffert continues to follow the same pattern with the talented gray colt, in which he gives Arrogate a long time between races, it seems likely that an August return would be the most likely path. The $1 million Pacific Classic, scheduled for Aug. 19 at Del Mar, would fall 11 weeks before the Nov. 4 Breeders’ Cup, and would give Arrogate the advantage of a race over the surface on which the Breeders’ Cup will be held. For reference, Arrogate’s record-setting Travers Stakes victory last year was exactly 10 weeks before his Breeders’ Cup Classic win over California Chrome.

It remains to be seen whether Arrogate’s connections would consider racing him again in January’s Pegasus World Cup, taking a page from the book of Taylor Made with California Chrome, which would still allow the colt to stand stud in the 2018 season.

HORCE RACING

→ UK RACING - THE GRAND NATIONAL WH AT IS THE GRAND N ATION AL?

The Grand National is a National Hunt horse race, held every year at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool. It is raced over four miles, three-anda-half furlongs with the maximum number of 40 runners jumping 30 fences, some of which are famous for their size and difficulty to clear like Becher’s Brook and The Chair. The Grand National is a hugely exciting spectacle, watched by an estimated worldwide audience of over 600 million people, and it is popular with once-a-year and occasional punters just as much as those who like a flutter every day, making it one of the biggest betting events in the sporting calendar.

WHEN IS THE GRAND N ATION AL?

It’s nearly here! This year’s Grand National will take place on Saturday, 8 April at 17:15 and it can be watched on ITV UK, TVG USA & SKY AUST. However, the Grand National meeting itself is a three-day meeting starting on Thursday, 6 April, with races over the Grand National course taking place each afternoon.

WHO ARE THE GRAND N ATION AL FAVOURITES?

The current favourite at 10/1 is the David Pipe-trained Vieux Lion Rouge. This improving eight-year-old has both form and course experience in the book after finishing seventh in last year’s renewal before winning the Beecher Chase in December (raced over the Grand National course). On his latest outing he won a classy-looking Grand National trial at Haydock, beating Blaklion who also heads to Aintree next week as the 14/1 joint second favourite.

Paul Nicholls and Gordon Elliott are responsible for some of the market leaders in Saphir Du Rheu (Nicholls), Cause Of Cause and Ucello Conti (both Elliott), and all three look to have outstanding claims after some excellent prep runs. Last year’s runner-up The Last Samuri is back for another crack at the race, while in-form horses like Definitely Red and One For Arthur are at the top of their game and represent bang in form stables.

WHO ARE THE TOP GRAND N ATION AL JOCKEYS?

Arguably the best one riding at present is Irishman Ruby Walsh who has won the Grand National twice before. He rides for the powerful Willie Mullins yard which means he is likely to have a choice between a number of horses to ride come race day. Richard Johnson is currently the top rider on these shores and he did finish second in the Grand National three years ago, but generally he has a poor record in the race and has the unwanted tag of being the jockey with the most rides (20) without riding a winner.

KEY STATS & FACTORS

EXPERIENCE: All of the last 25 winners had run at least eight times over fences (referred to as Chases), and each of the last 51 winners had raced at least once since New Year’s Day in the year that they won. So what you don’t want to be backing is horses that haven’t had a prep run, or horses that have had long absences away from the track meaning they don’t have the experience to handle a fast-paced, hurly-burly type race like the Grand National.

AGE: 18 of the last 21 winners have been

aged 9, 10, or 11, though with around 75% of the runners usually falling into this age bracket it’s not as big a trend as it first appears but it is something definitely worth bearing in mind.

STAMIN A AND FORM: Horses that have run well in various other Nationals - Midlands, Kerry, Ulster, Welsh, Scottish, and Irish for example - and/or other big Handicap Chases like the Hennessy are usually the ones to concentrate on. Last year’s winner Rule The World had previously been placed in both the Kerry and Irish Nationals, while 66% of the previous 18 winners had been at least placed in a National or the 4m+ Eider Chase.

WEIGHT: While it is true that prior to 2010 just one horse carried more than 11 stone to victory in the previous 25 renewals of the Grand National, in recent years, the handicap being compressed in addition to some of the fences being modified to make the course easier, and therefore safer, has resulted in weight no longer being an issue. Four of the last seven winners carried 11 stone or more, while Many Clouds shouldered 11st 9lb to victory two years ago, the most weight any horse has carried to success since the great Red Rum in 1974.

GRAND N ATION AL EARLY WIN M ARKE T

10/1 - Vieux Lion Rouge 14/1 - Blaklion 14/1 - Definitely Red 16/1 - Cause Of Causes 16/1 - One For Arthur 16/1 - Pleasant Company 16/1 - Saphir Du Rheu 16/1 - The Last Samuri 16/1 - Ucello Conti 20/1 - Bar

HORCE RACING

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KENTUCKY DERBY

N AV I G AT I N G T H E R O A D T O T H E 143 R D KENTUCKY DERBY

The 143rd renewal of The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports is only a month away and it’s time to get the whips cracking. It’s been a particularly difficult season to analyse given so many factors, usually by the start of April we have at least a top selection given everything goes right from here on in. In 2017 I wish that was the case, here’s a breakdown of the likely field and there reasons for and against success at Churchill Downs.

CL ASSIC EMPIRE – has all the ability in the world but will have to overcome quite a bit to get to the winner’s circle on the first Saturday in May. This colt has behavioral issues at times, suffered a foot abscess, has a bad back and some mornings flat out refuses to train.

MCCRAKEN – also has a world of talent and was clearly the pro-tem Kentucky Derby favorite up until a few weeks ago but he “sprained his ankle” and had to be scratched from the Tampa Bay Derby, which could prove to be a key race for him.

Instead of going into the Kentucky Derby with three prep races, he’ll have just two…..will that be enough

to have him ready? How much will the missed race and missed training hurt him? According to trainer Ian Wilkes, this colt has “grown and filled out, so it was a blessing in disguise”.

GUNN AVERA – possesses a solid late run as we saw in his maiden win last July, the Delta Downs Jackpot last November and, most recently, in the Fountain of Youth. Here is a colt who can win going long or short and on a fast track or in the mud. Overall, he won 4 of his last 7 races. The part that bothers me is he was beaten soundly by Classic Empire last fall and by Irish War Cry (who has since disappointed big time) in the Holy Bull last month.

J BOYS ECHO – won the Gotham

very impressively in his last start, but was that because the pace scenario played right into his hands or is he improving at the right time?

Because his other races were not all THAT good. So, to me, the jury is still out sort of speak.

ILI AD – I thought this colt ran very well while chasing Mastery while going two turns for the first time in the San Felipe. I thought he rated very well early on, made a huge move on the turn but just couldn’t get by the winner, which was understandable. His next race

(April 8, Santa Anita Derby) will tell us a lot. I can’t say anything bad about him other than he definitely needs another two turn race (which he will get) and I don’t like the way he swishes his tail while being hit (by his rider).

PRACTICAL JOKE –

is fast and has the heart the size of Texas but I’m not seeing how he is going to get 10 furlongs in the Derby especially as he’s has all but quit running his last two times out from about the three-sixteenths pole to the wire. I can tell you right now, some 5-6 weeks before the Derby, if he makes it in, no way I play him.

GORMLEY – is a “need the lead” type horse or at least he is right now.

If you look at his defeats, they all have that fact in common. So either they teach him how to rate or, if not, he will most likely have to go way too fast too early in the Derby (there is a ton of “speed” in the three-year-old division this year) to have any gas left in the tank down the lane. Like Practical Joke, if nothing changes with him, no way I play him on Derby Day. EL AREEB – rattled off three very impressive wins in NY this winter but disappointed in the Gotham in his last. Did he peak too soon?

We know the competition he’s run against has been questionable… or did he just have a bad day and deserve a “mulligan” in his next race?

MO TOWN – showed nothing in his 2017 debut in the Risen Star and won his 2 prior races in NY very nicely.

The fact still remains; did he need the Risen Star or has he not come back the same way this year? I’m willing to bet that it’s he just needed the race but he is still another that we will know more after his next race, which at this writing, is unclear.

UNTRAPPED – is improving leap

and bounds. I thought he ran very well in Risen Star when finishing second and again in the Rebel (3rd).

By watching him it appears the further he goes the better he’ll get.

But that 4-1-3-0 record also has me think “always the bridesmaid, never the bride.”

ROYAL MO – broke his maiden and won the Robert B. Lewis in California in his previous two races but showed little in his 2017 debut (Rebel Stakes). Nowhere to go but up for him but he needs to improve significantly to start to get me to pay attention to him and he is running out of time.

GIRVIN – won the Risen Star Stakes (at 8-1) in just his third lifetime start. They will run him back in the Louisiana Derby then head to Churchill. But even if he wins there, can he win the biggest race in the world with just 4 career starts?

ONE LINER – is unbeaten in three career starts and won the Southwest in his last. But see Girvin, I mean, is it possible he wins the Kentucky Derby with just 4 career starts?

That’s asking a lot.

UNTRAPPED – has a good closing run and is consistent. The thing with him is he had a great trip in the Rebel but he wasn’t catching the winner (Malagacy) plus he is 0 for 3 this year and just 1 for 5 in his career.

M AL AGACY – is also unbeaten and surprised a few people (including

trainer Todd Pletcher) when he stretched out to 8 ½ furlongs (after his first two career wins/starts were lopsided sprint wins) and won the Rebel. He has enormous talent but there were several things that I didn’t like about the Rebel. Like say the final time (1:43) was tied for the second slowest of the 15 Derby preps so far this year at that distance, making his speed figure in that race a paltry 91. I am in no way “all in” on him for the Derby, I mean just because he can win at 1 1/16 miles doesn’t mean he can win at 1 ¼ miles.

UNCONTESTED – is no longer being pointed for the Derby and will instead pursuit a career as a sprinter.

THREE RULES – is being pointed for the Preakness and will also bypass the Derby.

SONIC MULE – is not good enough…plain and simple.

ANN ARBOR EDDIE – Could not keep up with Mastery or Iliad in the San Felipe.

TAPWRIT – is improving leaps

and bounds and I can’t say anything bad about him especially with the progress he’s made over his last 3 or 4 races. He looked very good in winning the Tampa Bay Derby in his last, but remember, McCraken was on the sidelines for that race and McCraken beat him twice previously.

IRISH WAR CRY – has megatalent, but his disappointing run in the Fountain of Youth (7th) was inexplicable to me and to his trainer.

AMERICAN ANTHEM – clearly did not handle the surface at Oaklawn and finished 10th in the Rebel as the 8/5 favorite. This is a very nice horse but what happens if he doesn’t handle the notoriously quirky surface at Churchill?

LOOKIN AT LEE – disappointed in the Rebel. You obviously want to see your horse getting better as the Derby approaches (Tapwrit), not go in the opposite direction.

GUEST SUITE – disappointed in

the Risen Star but I might give him a “mulligan”.

SYNDERGAARD – is blessed with a lot of speed but won’t be ready in time from my understanding.

NO DOZING – has done very little to enhance his chances lately.

BAT TALION RUNNER – is highly regarded and looked fantastic in winning an allowance race in his last.

The Florida Derby, his next start, should tell us more but he too does not have a lot of experience.

HENCE – grabbed my attention with his remarkable maiden win, disappointed in the Southwest and came back to win the Sunland Park Derby very nicely in his last three races. But what happened in the Southwest remains a mystery and the SP Derby set up perfectly for him after super-sonic early fractions. So, if he needs a perfect “setup” to win races, the Kentucky Derby is not an ideal spot for that sort of thing.

FAST AND ACCURATE – seems to be improving, especially with the addition of blinkers. Although he has won over the dirt, the fact still remains his Spiral Stakes win (at 24-1) was over a synthetic surface, he ran in a $30,000 claimer two races before that and the second place finisher in the Spiral was 35-1. So, who did he beat?

As suggested earlier it’s very tough to be super confident about any of these at this point in time perhaps maybe someone from overseas will swoop in and grab the prize like say Churchill, who can run but it would be unprecedented if he pulled it off.

Although it’s a 99-1 shot, maybe trainer Jerry Hollendorfer will see the “watered down” crop of threeyear-old males, have a change of heart and enter super filly Unique Bella in the Derby.

The good news is the Louisiana Derby, Florida Derby, Bluegrass Stakes, Santa Anita Derby and Wood Memorial are all still yet to run and make for great viewing and analysis before May 6th.

LUXURY

LONDON

CORINTHIA HOTEL

London| www.corinthia.grandluxuryhotels.com/ The flagship property of the Grand Luxury Hotels, the world class Corinthia Hotel, stands in gracious grandeur at the heart of Westminster overlooking the River Thames. Nearby, iconic Big Ben’s distinctive bell tower rings in British ascendance into contemporary modern design brushed with the distinguished heritage of luxury reminiscent of Victorian bling. Impeccable service with engaging hospitality sets the standard known throughout Grand Luxury properties.

Imagine the breathtaking views across the roofs of London, the treetops of sheltering garden parks, and the treasured sights of London’s skyline from one of the Corinthia’s seven spacious two storey penthouses. The height of luxury, your penthouse features rooftop terrace with garden, spa, and comfort seating to indulge in the romance of London’s magical panorama. Each of the penthouse rooms has a uniquely designed decor and style reflecting elegance in furnishings, seating areas, desk and work areas, luxuriant linens, and stellar baths with deluxe towels and high end ESPA bath amenities.

All of Corinthia’s 294 spacious rooms and suites, designed for memorable luxury and comfort, also feature amenities including flat screen TV, coffee and tea making facilities, free Internet, iPod dock, safe, mini bar, and ESPA bath products, and balconies with city viewing. Choose from views of Scotland Yard, Whitehall, Trafalgar Square or River view of the Thames and London Eye.

Unrivaled spa enjoyment is guaranteed at ESPA with indoor pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, and classic Hammam steam room designed to make each guest feel like royalty. The practitioners of the Corinthia’s world class spa are specialists in integrative and restorative therapies toward wellness. The extensive menu of services encompasses a range of relaxation and rejuvenating therapies, sport and deep tissue massage, and massage techniques from around the world, Swedish, Thai, Japanese Shiatsu, and the use of healing oils to invigorate muscles and engage the senses. Your stay at the Corinthia will be enhanced with consultations with the personal trainer and the facilities of the fully equipped fitness center.. Emerge reenergized mentally and physically, detoxified and renewed for sightseeing,

travel, and business decision making.

The Corinthia features memorable dining at the popular Massimo Restaurant and Bar with innovative interpretations of classic Italian cuisine, divine antipasto selections, wine pairings, and mouthwatering desserts. The Northall Restaurant is popular for its modern take on British fare, nuanced familiar dishes and fun with old favorites.

Discerning travelers will delight in the Corinthia’s exemplary style honoring and successfully capturing elements of traditional and modern. Enjoy a wealth of amenities, outstanding worldclass spa, dining, and premium central location. It is certain to become a favorite London destination.

LUXURY LONDON HAM YARD HOTEL

London| firmdalehotels.com London’s SoHo is iconically edgy, leading in trendy style and sophistication. In the heart of Soho, the Ham Yard Hotel is popping with modern chic and vibrant energy captured by hotel co-owner and Design Director Kit Kemp whose vision has taken contemporary decor to a new level. The Ham Yard has reached new heights in creating an artful display of individuality in color, textiles, and design. Bold and inspired, Kit Kemp has incorporated stunning natural elements, the leafy greens of the courtyard and gardens, the glass, stone, and metal elements key to the hotel’s architecture and the stunning centerpiece art of Tony Cragg’s bronze sculpture, to define an urban lifestyle dimension that captivates and engages all the senses. In the heart of the Theatre District, the Ham Yard contributes its own theatre with color and dramatic fun, boutique shopping, indoor and outdoor terrace dining options, dynamic bar, and private event rooms - a true urban lifestyle oasis.

Guest rooms and suites, as well as long stay apartments, are uniquely individualized from the signature headboards that will seduce with their colorful charm as the centerpiece of

each room’s design theme, cozy seating arrangements with pillows, lighting, and contemporary collections of local artists that will brighten even the most dreary London day. Say goodbye to tradition and welcome a new design concept with amenities that ROCK. RIK RAK toiletries

by Kit Kemp are her latest in bath and Spa amenities enhance the experience of luxury. Choices of rooms and suites address the wishes and needs of all guests, from the business traveler, the dedicated tourists, couples seeking romantic interludes, and families with children. The bespoke contemporary luxury includes spacious modern bathrooms with showers, some with soaking tubs, flat screen TV, free Internet, safe and minibar, plush towels and high end linens, duvet and four body length pillows…..”to sleep, perchance to dream” Aaah.

Surprises await from underground to rooftop, beginning at the lower level with an actual transplanted 50’s style bowling alley transported (really) from Texas. The Croc is unforgettable with splashes of neon colors, and huge driftwood crocodiles curiously hanging from the ceiling. Nearby is the staggering 190 seat theatre popping with orange and blue decor, a venue for

exclusive showings.

The Ham Yard boasts a state of the art hypoxic Gym for maximizing your workout routines and the Soholistic Spa offering a full menu of body and beauty treatments to work out the kinks and rejuvenate after days of sightseeing London.

Guests will enjoy the retreats of the Drawing Room and Library, honor bar, books to be read, and Instagram worthy art, floral arrangements, and creative patterned seating you will definitely want to share.

The rooftop garden is an actual English Garden, with creative seating areas populated with unique custom benches, even a horse shaped one, and splashes of color and exclusive pattern amidst the greenery. Discover the perfect retreat to capture the sun while contemplating SoHo rooftops; a plush place to enjoy the veggie and fragrant herb gardens, the natural organic source for the restaurant.

Dazzle and delight in a SoHo stay at the impressive, remarkably designed Ham Yard Hotel. Modeliste promises it will be a most unique and memorable stay.

I N D U S T RY I N S I D E R APRIL CALENDAR OF EVENTS TABLES GAMES ACADEMY

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FOOTBALL

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE THE ROAD TO CARDIFF

The 2017 Champions League final will be contested at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday, June 3. It is the first time the biggest match in European club football has been hosted in Wales but the third occasion on which it has taken place in Great Britain over the past seven years, with Wembley awarded the fixture in both 2010-11 and 2012-13.

When is the CL semi-final draw?

The Millennium Stadium has hosted the FA Cup final and previously bid for the Champions League showpiece in 2003, but lost out to Old Trafford.

This year, however, it will welcome the two teams that have emerged above the rest in Europe as the continent's latest champions are named. Here's our guide to the game, the venue and the city as it draws closer.

GAME CH AMPIONS LEAGUE FIN AL DATE SATURDAY, JUNE 3, 2017 TIME 19:45 BST, 14:45 E T VENUE MILLENNIUM STADIUM (PRINCIPALIT Y STADIUM), WALES ADDRESS WESTGATE ST, CARDIFF, CF10 1NS

WHERE IS THE MILLENNIUM STADIUM?

The Millennium Stadium - now known as the Principality Stadium for sponsorship reasons - is located on Westgate Street in Cardiff, the capital and largest city of Wales. It sits next to the River Taff in the city centre and is a short walk from both Cardiff Central and Cardiff Queen Street rail stations.

The venue seats 74,500 fans and was opened in 1999 at a cost of £121 million for that year’s Rugby World Cup. It is now the home of the Welsh national football and rugby union teams.

WH AT IS THE STADIUM SEATING PL AN?

The Millennium Stadium is classified as a category-four venue - the highest rating and the one

needed to host Champions League and Europa League matches - and is the second-largest stadium in the world with a retractable roof after the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas - the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys.

Three sides of the stadium are threetiered, with the North Stand the only exception. This is due to the close proximity of the Cardiff Arms Park, home of the Cardiff Blues rugby team, which is adjacent to the north end of the Millennium Stadium and subsequently restricted the size of that stand. The Millennium Stadium has been praised, however, for its close viewpoints regardless of where tickets are bought and the intense atmosphere that can be generated as a result of its tightly packed feel.

HOW DO I GE T TICKE TS?

A limited number of tickets are available on general sale via UEFA’s website. The deadline for applications is 12:00 CET on Tuesday, March 28, with those successful being notified by Friday, April 7.

That sale accounts for only 5,500 of the overall 66,000 tickets, however.

The remaining 36,000 tickets to be sold to fans will be split equally between the two clubs that reach the final to sell to their supporters.

The rest of the seats at the stadium will be handed out to organisers, football associations, commercial partners, broadcasters and for corporate hospitality.

The 5,500 on general sale are split into four price categories ranging from £390 to £60 each, with accessibility tickets also priced at £60. A value option for families, however, is to apply for a ‘youth package’, which includes one adult and one child in the Category 2 section (normally priced at £275 each) for a total of £120.

HOW TO GE T THERE

BY CAR: The M4 motorway runs both east and west of Cardiff, and the stadium is regularly signposted as you approach and enter the city.

The stadium is right in the middle of the congested city centre, however,

and driving in and parking nearby on matchday will be impossible, with many roads likely to be closed off. There is usually a park-and-ride option at a motorway junction near the city but those arrangements are likely to be confirmed closer to the date.

The reigning Cardiff CAMRA pub of the year is Hopbunker, about 10 minutes walk away from the stadium on Queen Street.

Driving to nearby Newport and getting a 15-minute train to Cardiff could also be an option.

RESTAURANTS: TripAdvisor has a full list of the most popular restaurants in Cardiff but again, remember that reservations are almost certainly going to be necessary for anything remotely in the vicinity of the stadium.

BY TRAIN: Cardiff Central station is the biggest in the city and across the street from the Millennium Stadium.

It takes direct arrivals from London, Bristol and Manchester and is accessible via connecting trains throughout the UK. Again, it is likely to be hugely busy on matchday and lines may in effect upon arriving at and leaving the station.

Cardiff is the capital city of Wales and one of the four countries along with England, Scotland and Northern Ireland - that make up the United Kingdom. Wales borders the west of England on its east side and is separated from the Republic of Ireland on its west by the St George’s Channel.

Cardiff Queen Street station is also near the stadium - approximately a 15-minute walk away - but serves smaller lines within the south of Wales.

BY AIR: Cardiff International Airport is 12 miles away from the stadium in the coastal town of Rhoose. Fans arriving by air can take a shuttle bus to Rhoose rail station and catch a 30-minute train from there to Cardiff Central or take a slightly longer bus into the city.

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK

PUBS: The upside of the Millennium Stadium’s location in the middle of Cardiff is the number of eating and drinking options in the vicinity.

There are said to be over 70 bars and pubs within a quarter-mile radius of the stadium, though they will be tested to their limit on the night of the Champions League final.

There are three big pubs to the south of the stadium - the Prince of Wales, the Bierkeller and Walkabout, all of which are likely to be jam-packed for the final. All 20 or 30 watering houses within a few minutes walk of the ground, in fact, will probably require an early arrival and fill up completely as kick-off approaches, with many more expected to descend on Cardiff than can actually fit in the stadium.

CARDIFF, WALES: THE BASICS

The country has its own national teams for most sports, including football, but competes as part of Great Britain at the Olympic Games.

Cardiff is the 11th-largest city in the UK overall, with the 2011 census recording an urban population of 447,287 and the Cardiff-Newport metro area as a whole home to over a million people. It is part of the Eurocities network of major European cities and the location of the Welsh Assembly, where power concerning decisions relating to Wales is devolved by the main British government.

Traditionally a major coal centre, Cardiff today is the principal finance and business centre in Wales and accounts for 20 per cent of Welsh GDP.

WHICH PL AYERS ARE FROM CARDIFF?

Gareth Bale will be hoping to return to the Champions League final for the third time in four years in order to play for the trophy in his home city. He helped Whitchurch High School win the Cardiff & Vale Senior Cup as a 16-year-old shortly before making his first-team debut for Southampton, who he trained with at their satellite academy in Bath near the Welsh border.

Bale is only the second player ever

from Cardiff to win Europe’s top club prize; the first was Ryan Giggs, also a two-time champion with Manchester United. Liverpool duo Joey Jones and Ian Rush - both from northern Welsh towns - have two titles each to their names as well.

Giggs: Only two world-class PL stars in CL. Remarkably, Bale is only one of three players named to the latest Wales squad to have been born in Cardiff. The others are Joe Ledley, of Crystal Palace, and Joe Walsh, of Milton Keynes Dons.

PREDICTIONS FOR FOUR STELLAR QUARTERFIN AL M AT C H U P S

Two sides have played in each of the last five Champions League semifinals, but one of them won’t this season after Friday’s draw matched Bayern Munich, the champion of 2013, against Real Madrid, the defending champion.

The other outstanding matchup of the last eight features Barcelona playing Juventus in a repeat of the 2015 final.

Monaco, slayer of Manchester City and leader of the French league, face Borussia Dortmund, while Leicester City faces another Spanish side as it takes on Atletico Madrid.

Here’s a breakdown of each of the four quarterfinal pairings, along with predictions for which four will advance to the semifinals as the road to the final at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium continues.

BAYERN MUNICH VS. REAL M ADRID (APRIL 12/18)

Real Madrid has been in each of the past six Champions League semifinals, and Bayern Munich in each of the last five, but this season something has to give.

Each sits atop its respective domestic league, yet there is a strange sense that neither is quite at its best. Real Madrid, the defending European champion, has already lost more games this year than it did in all of 2016 and had fallen behind in five of its last six games (although it has ended up winning four and drawing and one of them).

There are issues with the balance of the midfield (and with Gareth Bale’s ankle) and few reasons to feel confident of it defensively. Sergio Ramos’s main gift these days, and it is a considerable one, seems to be his ability to meet Toni Kroos deliveries with powerful headers in key situations.

The accusation directed most often at Bayern Munich is that it is not playing with the same level of intensity as it did under Pep Guardiola–although it may be that that is an advantage. Carlo Ancelotti, a former Real Madrid manager, has a remarkable record in the Champions League, and, as he looks for a record fourth title, can be said to have mastered the art of getting his sides to peak at the right time.

The sides met in the second group stage in 1999-2000 when Bayern won 4-2 and 4-1, and they’ve played each other in 10 two-legged ties, each progressing five times. Their

most recent meeting came in the semifinal in 2014 when Ancelotti’s Real Madrid won 1-0 at home before eviscerating Guardiola’s Bayern 4-0 on the break at the Allianz Arena en route to capturing la decima–with current Real boss Zinedine Zidane as his assistant.

PREDICTION: REAL M ADRID

ODDS TO QUALIFY BAYERN MUNICH 1.67 REAL M ADRID 2.1

JUVENTUS VS. BARCELON A (APRIL 11/19)

Barcelona was a comfortable 3-1 winner over Juventus in the 2015 Champions League final, but since then Barcelona has weakened and Juventus has improved.

The comeback in the last 16 against Paris Saint-Germain was stunning, but it can’t be forgotten that the only reason it was necessary was that Barcelona had been hammered 4-0 in the first leg, when its lack of energy and the tendency of the front three to become isolated was clear. A change of shape to 3-4-3 has eliminated the problems at fullback by, well, eliminating the fullbacks, but it’s not a shape that seems to get the best out of Lionel Messi.

Dramatic as those three goals in seven minutes were, they have not resolved the long-term structural problems. Sergio Busquets will be suspended for the first leg.

Juventus, meanwhile, goes from strength to strength, unbeaten at

home all season and the only side not to concede a goal in the last 16.

The question of how battle-hardened it is given the relative ease with which it is winning Serie A is a fair one, but this is an experienced squad with plenty of depth, probably the best Juventus side in over a decade.

Before the 2015 final, the sides had met only twice before in the Champions League: Barcelona came out on top in 1985-86, while Juventus won in 2002-03 (both victorious teams went on to draw the final 0-0 and lose on penalties).

PREDICTION: JUVENTUS

ODDS TO QUALIFY JUVENTUS 2.38 BARCELON A 1.53

ATLE TICO M ADRID VS. LEICESTER CIT Y (APRIL 12/18)

This is only the fourth knockout tie Leicester City has ever played in Europe, but this is the third time it has met Atletico Madrid. The kindest way to look at past history is to say that Leicester is due for a result. After a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the Cup-Winners Cup firstround clash in 1961, Atletico Madrid won 2-0 at the Vicente Calderon, while Atletico won both legs in the UEFA Cup first round in 1997, 2-1 in Madrid and 2-0 at Filbert Street in a game disfigured by the bizarre sending off of Garry Parker, who collected a second yellow card for

taking a free kick too quickly.

Atletico has not been at its best domestically this season, reserving its best form for Europe. It conceded just two goals in coming out on top of a tough group featuring Bayern Munich, PSV Eindhoven and Rostov, before beating Bayer Leverkusen 4-2 over two legs in the last 16.

Although it trails Sevilla, the side Leicester beat in the last round, in La Liga, the sense is that it is coming into form while Sevilla was on the downturn.

Leicester, though, is playing far better now than at any previous point of the season, winning three games out of three under Craig Shakespeare after the dismissal of Claudio Ranieri. The feeling is, though, that the club's improbable run in Europe will come to an end.

Kylian Mbappe; powerful fullbacks, Benjamin Mendy and Djibril Sidibe; and the two holding midfielders, Fabinho and Tiemoue Bakayoko.

Bakayoko, scorer of the decisive goal in the round of 16 against Manchester City, will be suspended for the first leg of the quarterfinal.

The issue of predators picking off a club's best players is one that’s very familiar to Borussia Dortmund.

It's back near the beginning of the cycle of development, with a number of promising players–the likes of Ousmane Dembele and Julian Weigl–who haven’t quite yet gotten to the level that would see them being pilfered by the very elite.

An injury crisis ruined the start of this season, which is why Dortmund sits third in the Bundesliga, 16 points behind leader Bayern Munich, but Thomas Tuchel’s side was still the top-scoring team in the group stage. With neither side convincing defensively, this is likely to be another goal fest.

PREDICTION: MON ACO

ODDS TO QUALIFY DORTMUND 1.5 MON ACO 2.5

* BETTING

PREDICTION: ATLE TICO M ADRID

ODDS TO QUALIFY ATLE TICO M ADRID 1.22 LEICESTER 4

BORUSSI A DORTMUND VS. MON ACO (APRIL 11/19)

Monaco has been sensational this season, leading Ligue 1 by three points having scored a barely believable 84 goals in 29 games, but already there is a sense that if it is to make a serious mark in Europe, it has to be this season.

The "superclubs" are hovering, looking at 18-year-old center forward

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CUP WINNER BARCELON A 3.50 BAYERN MUNICH 4.00 ATLE TICO M ADRID 6.50 REAL M ADRID 6.50 BORUSSI A DORTMUND 10.00 JUVENTUS 12.00 MON ACO 17.00 LEICESTER CIT Y 34.00

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PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE RACE & THE RUN HOME

1ST: CHELSEA PLD 28 PTS 69 GD +38 With a 10-point lead and just 10 games remaining, it’s hard to see the champions elect stumbling in the run-in. A look at the fixture list suggests if they are going to blow it, they’ll have to start dropping points in the first half of April with both Manchester clubs to be tackled in that period. Everton, beaten just once at home this season, is a tricky trip also coming next month but the final straight looks a good one for the Blues – home games against Middlesbrough and Sunderland likely to be joined by a rearranged clash with Watford at the Bridge.

Chelsea are also still in the FA Cup, their semi-final coming in between trips to Old Trafford and the rearranged game against Southampton.

Apr 1 – Crystal Palace H Apr 5 – Manchester City H Apr 8 – Bournemouth A Apr 16 – Manchester United A

Apr 22 – Tottenham N (FAC SF) Apr 25 – Southampton H Apr 30 – Everton A May 6 – Middlesbrough H May 13 – West Brom A May 21 – Sunderland H May 27 – FAC F TBC Watford H

2ND: TOT TENH AM PLD 28 PTS 59 GD +34

Of the five teams who appear to be battling it out for three Champions League places, Spurs look to have one of the kinder fixture lists.

Eight of their remaining 10 games will be against teams currently in the bottom half of the table, while their two meetings with fellow ‘Big Six’ clubs both come at White Hart Lane which has become a real fortress this season and a venue at which Chelsea and Manchester City have already been beaten.

While an FA Cup semi-final with Chelsea has the potential to distract from the Premier League run-in,

one bonus for Spurs in terms of their league position is they have by far the best goal difference of those five chasing the three spots.

Harry Kane has had plenty to do with that, though, so the sooner he can recover from an ankle injury, the better.

Apr 1 – Burnley A Apr 5 – Swansea A Apr 8 – Watford H Apr 15 – Bournemouth H Apr 22 – Chelsea N (FAC SF) Apr 26 – Crystal Palace A Apr 30 – Arsenal H May 6 – West Ham A May 13 – Manchester United H May 21 – Hull A May 27 – FAC F TBC Leicester A

3RD: M ANCHESTER CIT Y PLD 28 PTS 57 GD +24

The days which immediately follow the international break could make or break City’s season. They travel to

both Arsenal and Chelsea in a fourday period. Win both and a top-four finish will look pretty secure; lose the pair and the wobbles could really set in.

There’s also a Thursday night derby with Manchester rivals United to come, although if it does all boil down to the final day, an away game at Watford, who will surely be ensconced in mid-table by then, looks a decent-enough finale for them to negotiate.

City are another club to still be fighting on two fronts, though, with a Wembley FA Cup semi-final meeting with Arsenal looming.

Apr 2 – Arsenal A Apr 5 – Chelsea A Apr 8 – Hull H Apr 15 - Southampton A Apr 23 – Arsenal N (FAC SF) Apr 27 – Manchester United H Apr 30 – Middlesbrough A May 6 – Crystal Palace H May 13 – Leicester H May 21 – Watford A May 27 – FAC F TBC Manchester United H TBC West Brom H

4TH: LIVERPOOL PLD 29 PTS 56 GD +25

5TH: M ANCHESTER UNITED PLD 27 PTS 52 GD +19

Relate the fixtures to the table and a stats man will tell you they’ll do it.

The problem is Liverpool’s issue this season has been defeating the sides in the lower half of the table – the ones who sit in and deny them space in and around the area.

Into the Europa League quarterfinals, United have a potential 16 games still to play this season and they include matches against four of the top six, three of which are away.

They also have considerably the worst goal difference of the five clubs who appear to be chasing three Champions League places.

With none of the top six to play and only one target left on the Anfield agenda, Liverpool will be furious with themselves if they fail to nail down Champions League football next season from this position. Five of their nine remaining games are at home too.

Jurgen Klopp needs to solve that problem; if he does, Liverpool should be back at Europe’s top table come late summer.

Apr 1 - Everton H Apr 5 – Bournemouth H Apr 8 – Stoke A Apr 16 – West Brom A Apr 23 – Crystal Palace H May 1 – Watford A May 6 – Southampton H May 13 – West Ham A May 21 – Middlesbrough H

Jose Mourinho has already begun complaining about the fixture list – he knows more than anyone that the games are piling up and the backlog could well play a big part in the final makeup of the top four.

Given they are also still playing catch-up on the top four, you have to wonder whether United will, come the end of April, feel their best chance of securing Champions League football for 2017/18 may well come via European, rather than domestic, competition. If so, sacrifices may have to be made.

Apr 1 – West Brom H Apr 4 – Everton H Apr 9 – Sunderland A Apr 13 – Anderlecht A (UEL QF 1L)

Apr 16 – Chelsea H Apr 20 – Anderlecht H (UEL QF 2L) Apr 23 – Burnley A Apr 27 – Manchester City A Apr 30 – Swansea H May 4 – UEL SF 1L May 6 - Arsenal A May 11 – UEL SF 2L May 13 – Tottenham A May 21 – Crystal Palace H May 24 – UEL F TBC Southampton A

6TH: ARSEN AL PLD 27 PTS 50 GD +22

In poor form and with games mounting up – they still have two games yet to be arranged – Arsenal look up against it as they bid to qualify for the Champions League for the 20th straight season.

They have three of the top six still to play – including the short trip to White Hart Lane – and recent results mean they simply can’t afford to lose those matches. Unfortunately, losing them is something they’ve

become accustomed to – they have the worst record of teams against other members of the Big Six, taking just five points from seven such games so far this season.

Arsenal have dug themselves out of holes before in April, a month in which they have been traditionally strong, but the fixture list in front of them (which also includes an FA Cup semi-final) suggests it will be some achievement if they repeat the trick in 2017.

Apr 2 – Manchester City H Apr 5 – West Ham H Apr 10 – Crystal Palace A Apr 17 – Middlesbrough A Apr 23 – Manchester City N (FAC SF) Apr 26 – Leicester H Apr 30 – Tottenham A May 6 – Manchester United H May 13 – Stoke A May 21 – Everton H May 27 – FAC F TBC Sunderland H

TBC Southampton A

7TH: EVERTON PLD 29 PTS 50 GD +2 Everton have been on a fine run since Christmas and, for the first time since Boxing Day, managed to climb into the top six at the weekend (albeit for less than 24 hours) so optimistic Blues might suggest they could still have a say in the top-four race.

With four of the Big Six still to play, they certainly will, but given their long-standing struggles against such sides away from home (they have already lost at Chelsea and Spurs and still have to visit Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal) it’s hard to see them truly troubling the six currently above them.

Still, home form has been rock solid and if they are able to snatch something in those tough away trips – particularly the two in the first

week of April - maybe they will be able to ramp up the pressure.

Whether they do or not, it is hard to see them finishing below seventh – a position which would be good enough to earn them Europa League football next term.

Apr 1 – Liverpool A Apr 4 – Manchester United A Apr 9 – Leicester H Apr 15 – Burnley H Apr 22 – West Ham A Apr 30 – Chelsea H May 6 – Swansea A May 13 – Watford H May 21 – Arsenal A

PREMIER LEAGUE P L AY E R O F T H E SEASON RACE: BREAKING DOWN T H E FAV O R I T E S T O WIN THE AWARD

With less than 10 weeks of EPL play away from the season coming to a close. The cream is rising to the top, both in terms of teams and players.

Which players have the inside track on this year’s Player of the Season award? Here’s the breakdown of our top 5 favorites to take home the honor.

5) CHRISTI AN ERIKSEN, TOT TENH AM

Losing Harry Kane has been a big blow for Spurs, but they didn’t skip a beat against Southampton. Eriksen is a big reason why. He has flown under the radar for a while, but he’s impossible to ignore this season.

With six goals and 10 assists, the 25-year-old Dane is a midfield metronome who can score when called upon. Kane gets the headlines and Dele Alli brings the flash, but Eriksen is the guy that holds the Tottenham machine together.

4) ALEXIS SANCHEZ, ARSEN AL

Sanchez might not be long for Arsenal, but he’s a relentless competitor. With the Gunners short on supply in the recognized striker department, Sanchez stepped into the role and flourished. It’s been a

down year for Arsenal overall, but not for Alexis. He has 18 goals on the season, three shy of the league lead, and has chipped in with an impressive 9 assists. He’s playing like a world-class player and wants to get paid like one. If Arsenal won’t open up the piggy bank, someone else will.

* BETTING

3) EDEN H AZ ARD, CHELSEA

Chelsea’s most dynamic attacker has a ways to go to be a favorite for the Player of the Season, but if Comeback Player was a thing he’d be right in the mix. After an abysmal 2015-16, he’s completely turned it around this season. He’s in the kind of form that won him this award two seasons ago, really. He has 11 goals and four assists this season, and even though he didn’t feature in this weekend’s win against Stoke due to a knock, he’s a vital part of the title favorites.

2) ROMELU LUKAKU, EVERTON

The leader for the Premier League’s golden boot, Lukaku might very well run away with the trophy now that Harry Kane is sidelined. The Belgian reportedly isn’t keen to stay at Everton, seeking bigger challenges (and the bigger paycheck that comes with it). Wherever and whatever the 23-year-old gets paid, he certainly seems like he’ll be worth every penny. The forward can do it all too, chipping in with six assists on the season. If he keeps this form up, it’ll be tough to deny him the Player of the Season award.

1) N’GOLO KANTE, CHELSEA

Quantifying Kante’s impact through statistics alone undersells the Frenchman’s impact. Seeing Leicester’s tailspin after his departure and Chelsea’s resurgence upon his arrival is an easy snapshot of just how important he is. Chelsea are incontrovertible title favorites, and Kante’s presence is a huge reason why. He’s fit directly into Antonio Conte’s system doing all the dirty work in midfield. He tackles, he intercepts, he kickstarts attacks and he never stops running. The 25-yearold is a dynamo in midfield.

LEAGUE WINNER CHELSEA 1.04 TOT TENH AM 19.00 M ANCHESTER CIT Y 26.00 LIVERPOOL 126.00 M ANCHESTER UNITED 126.00 ARSEN AL 301.00

TO FINISH TOP 4 TOT TENH AM 1.08 M AN CIT Y 1.17 LIVERPOOL 1.33 M AN UTD 2.63 ARSEN AL 3.75 EVERTON 51

TOP GOALSCORER ROMELU LUKAKU 1.91 DIEGO COSTA 4 ALEXIS SANCHEZ 7 H ARRY KANE 8 SERGIO AGUERO 13 ZL ATAN IBRAHIMOVIC 17 SADIO M ANE 41 JERM AIN DEFOE 51 DELE ALLI 51

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THE ROMO ROLLERCOASTER

f you’re a current NFL team in need of a quarterback and Tony Romo is your highest priority, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has you right where he wants you.He’s been dangling the “Romo Bait” for months now with no move, backing other organizations into the “what if” corner in the hopes of signing the former star Dallas QB before 2 injury rid seasons. The standoff between the Dallas Cowboys and Tony Romo doesn’t look like it’s going to end anytime soon either.

During an interview at the NFL’s annual owners meeting last Tuesday, Jerry Jones didn’t sound like he was in a hurry to make a decision on Romo’s future. As a matter of fact, it was actually the opposite: Jones sounded like a guy who was going to take all the time he needed.

So how much longer will everyone be waiting before we find out what’s in store for Romo? How about four months? That’s right, Jones has given himself a personal deadline of training camp, which means Romo’s future could be in limbo until the end of July, which is four months away.

For the Cowboys, the decision to wait makes a lot of sense. For one, if the team decides to cut him, they can split up his cap hit over two seasons if they wait until after June 1 to make the move. If the Cowboys released him now, he would cost $19.6 million in dead cap money. If the Cowboys make the move after June 1, Romo would count $10.7 million toward the 2017 cap and $8.9 million toward the 2018 cap, according to NFL reports.

The Cowboys could cut Romo now and designate him a post-June 1 release, but they’d still have to wait until June 1 to get the extra savings under the cap. Basically, Jones is no hurry to get anything done.

“There’s no waiting game,” Jones said, via the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

“This is the offseason. We’re not missing doing anything. From the standpoint of the franchise and the Cowboys, nothing is being held up here at all. We don’t have anything imminent that’s pushing us.”

According to Jones, Romo hasn’t been pushing for his release because he’s trying to figure out what he

wants to do with his future: keep playing, or retire and move up to the broadcast booth .

“There is kind of a menu of several alternatives that Tony has,” Jones said. “In that sense, he has, as much as we look at this as an important time for Tony, he’s got some great options.”

As for reports that Romo is unhappy about the fact that he hasn’t been cut -- the Cowboys were expected to release him on March 9 -- Jones said that’s all hogwash.

“I’m completely satisfied with how he’s doing and I have no reason to believe he’s not satisfied with how I’m doing,” Jones said. “I feel good about how we’re doing. We’re being the Cowboys, me and Tony. I feel very good about it.”

Of course, Jones’ ultimate plan might be to hold on to Romo until the Texans start their offseason practices and realize how bad their quarterback situation is. At that point, Houston might actually be willing to make a trade offer for Romo, something they haven’t done yet.

FOOTBALL

→ AFL SEASON PREVIEW So here we are. Footy’s back!

After such a wild ride through the 2016 season, culminating in Western Bulldogs’ emotional, droughtbreaking victory, what will this season deliver? Of course, we can only guess what may transpire. But that’s half the fun, isn’t it?

TEAM BY TEAM S N A P S H OT F O R 2017 H O M E & A W AY SEASON ADEL AIDE

After a superb 2016, the Crows should play finals, but there is a questionable depth of A-graders in the midfield that likely prevents them from the top four. They are more vulnerable for midfield injury then the other teams from last year’s top six.

BRISBANE LIONS

The Lions are in total rebuild mode and won’t win too many. Most likely, they’ll finish bottom two. The real test lies in whether coach Chris

Fagan and football boss David Noble can develop an exciting young group that everyone believes in.

rocky start to the year they’ve had, my guess is they just make it.

CARLTON

There is no historic precedent for a team regaining 10 players after a 12-month hiatus when none have been injured. Given that unique circumstance, Essendon would appear to be the season’s great uncertainty. But a more forensic examination of the Dons’ list suggests that they have gained four very good players — Michael Hurley, Dyson Heppell, Cale Hooker and Jobe Watson — plus six others of varying quality. So they will improve substantially, but the quality quartet is being added to a team that won just three games. Thus, finals are unlikely but they are a club deep in tradition and I can’t count them out.

Carlton will find it difficult to exceed last year’s seven wins, six of which came in the first 11 games. The Blues are in total rebuild mode and as such, their progress must be measured not in ladder position — they will be in the bottom four, likely bottom two. Rather, they should be on these measures: The development of a young group led

by Jacob Weitering, Patrick Cripps, Caleb Marchbank, Charlie Curnow and Sam Petrevski-Seton, as well as through creating a competitive culture and environment.

COLLINGWOOD

The Magpies’ chances of making the eight — and saving Private Buckley — rest on whether the Pies and their coaches can emulate Luke Beveridge, by using a deep and talented midfield to paper over deficiencies at each end. It’s a fair test of coaching acumen. With the

ESSENDON

FREM ANTLE

The return of Nat Fyfe, Aaron Sandilands and Michael Johnson and the recruitment of Bradley Hill and others will ensure the Dockers improve. But I doubt that will be

enough for them to make the finals.

GEELONG

The Cats have to wean themselves off their unhealthy dependency on ‘Dangerwood’ if they are to contend.

The onus is on Cam Guthrie, Mark Blicavs, Mitch Duncan and Steve Motlop to make the leap. Otherwise, they’ll make up the numbers in the final eight, which they should make.

Contention seems less likely.

GOLD COAST SUNS

This will be a year of significant improvement for the Suns, with a slew of senior players, including Pearce Hanley, coming in. Finals seem beyond them, but they should win many more games and demonstrate their vast potential.

GWS GI ANTS

Barring significant injuries, the Giants should be top four and on the basis of talent are the logical flag favourite. Did that loss to the Dogs sting them enough to go all

the way? Maybe. But if they don’t win it, it won’t be for any structural weakness.

H AW THORN

It is difficult to see Hawthorn contending for the premiership given the erosion of experienced talent since 2015. That said, Jaeger O’Meara is a jet and Tom Mitchell will improve a contested ball problem. Their forward setup remains potent and efficiency will keep them in the eight’s lower regions, assuming a reasonable run with injuries.

MELBOURNE

We haven’t had optimism at this level among the Demons for at least a decade. A dominant ruckman and key forward, solid key defender (Tom McDonald), a platoon of hardheads in the midfield and, now, Jordan Lewis providing outstanding leadership and direction. The only query is on whether they can close the gap between the better angels

of their nature and the not-so-good version, which lost to Carlton. They should play finals — just.

NORTH MELBOURNE

North Melbourne underwent possibly the most dramatic transformation of the post-season, considering the culling and retirements of veterans. The Roos have shifted abruptly — almost overnight — from attempted contention to a rebuilding program that will see them miss the finals and focus on ushering in younger players. Brad Scott’s task is to manage this transition, while remaining highly competitive.

They’ll have their moments, but the bottom six is probable.

PORT ADEL AIDE

The Power will regain Paddy Ryder and, one would hope, some of their mojo. But it is difficult to have faith in a group that lacks consistency and depth of talent. Expect more of the same.

RICHMOND

Last year was a disaster that has put Damien Hardwick in the firing line. But the Tigers can only strive for improvement and a slight shift into development mode. Prestia and Caddy will more than offset the loss of Brett Deledio and bring a more competitive season, but finals are unlikely. I think they’ll win about 10 or 11 games.

ST KILDA

St Kilda has done a lot right under Alan Richardson and the pass mark this year — for the first time since 2012 — is finals. Their forward set-up is impressive, while Jake Carlisle is a critical acquisition down back. The midfield, though, remains workmanlike, rather than polished.

If they don’t make the eight they will be millimetres outside and their range of potential season outcomes is pretty narrow.

SYDNEY SWANS

An exceptional team and football operation. They did little wrong in 2016, and were luckless on the big day. The only major issue is that their talent — like their player payments — is concentrated among eight or so guns. But unless they

lose a few they’ll be in the final four again.

WEST COAST EAGLES

In Sam Mitchell, out Nic Naitanui — that change should balance out.

Overall, the Eagles are well-placed and they’re capable of pushing into the top four, even if their team has less midfield strength than a few other sides. In market terms, I’d buy.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

It’s strange to begin a season with A) the reigning premier — a young side that has achieved prematurely — not being the most fancied team, and B) that team being the Bulldogs.

Bevo’s boys have the advantage of not being burdened with typical premier expectation. Their flag was an outlier on scoring, age, lack of key-position players and injury. To do it again, they will need to improve efficiency in attack — thus the great Cloke question. If the Sydney teams appeal more to this pundit, the Dogs should still be snapping at them in the top four.

THE PREDICTIONS

THE PREMIER WILL BE... GWS

They fell in the prelims last year,

but are a seriously hot tip to at the very least make the grand final.

Some people have been getting carried away with talk about unbeaten seasons, but regardless of the hyperbole, the Giants are the real deal.

Behind GWS are local rival Sydney, followed by West Coast and the Western Bulldogs. I guess that’s our top four then?

THE BIGGEST IMPROVER WILL BE... ST KILDA

Given how close the Saints were to the finals last season, we must be pretty bullish about a significant jolt into the finals. And with good reason too — the Saints boast some electric young players and some invaluable experience, and most importantly play a great brand of contested, freeflowing footy.

Essendon and Melbourne must also be considered as big improvers, whichever of these three teams misses out on the finals it won’t be by much.

THE BIGGEST SLIDER WILL BE... NORTH MELBOURNE

The Kangaroos clearly switched

* BETTING AFL PREMIERS 2017

into rebuild mode late last year as they limped into the finals. In pensioning off four club stalwarts, it was obvious the Roos wanted to inject youth into their squad and earmark a premiership challenge in the longer-term.

The strategy is a sound one, but it will likely lead to a tumble down the ladder this year. The Roos have a good spread of young talent, but it’ll be a case of one step back to take another couple forward later on.

THE WOODEN SPOON WILL BE WON BY... BRISBANE

Only percentage saved Brisbane from taking the spoon home last year, but with Essendon surely to improve this season the Lions loom as the most likely candidate, new coach or not.

It seems plenty are concerned about the Blues’ prospects too, perhaps suggesting the improvements Brendon Bolton brought about last season are either insufficient or unsustainable.

THE BROWNLOW WILL BE WON BY... M ARCUS BONTEMPELLI

It’s hard to believe the Western Bulldogs star is still only 21, such

is his poise, leadership and impact on games. Bontempelli isn’t a 30-possession-game midfielder like some, but he can single-handedly lift his team to victory and his consistency is ridiculous.

While he will have to vie with a host of vote-stealing teammates, he secured 20 votes last season, not far off the minor placings behind runaway winner Patrick Dangerfield. He can only improve.

RISING STAR WINNER ...

AARON FRANCIS.

The Bombers may excited about their gold-plated No. 1 draft pick from last year in Andrew McGrath, but one of the running defender’s teammates may trump him for this year’s rising star award.

Francis, pick No. 6 in the 2015 draft, only played three senior games last year but the Dons are bullish about his prospects as a rangy, mid-sized defender with attitude. He takes the game on, takes intercept marks, kicks the ball beautifully and may eventually move into the midfield.

While Francis suffered a minor ankle injury in an intra club match in early February, if he stays fit, he could announce himself as one of the league’s premier young guns.

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BOXING VS UFG

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MCGREGOR AND MAYWEATHER ITS HAPPENING…

REPORTS MM A LEGEND CHAEL SONNEN.

‘For some reason, both of these fighters have said they’re fighting, but no reporter has announced it,’ Sonnen said on his You’re Welcome podcast

Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather have submitted the build to the ticket office ahead of their super-fight, according to MMA legend Chael Sonnen.

‘Now I have information from someone higher than that, which is a guy at a ticketing company where the ‘build’ was sent in.

Mayweather and McGregor have both insisted they will face each other in a boxing ring, but a date or venue has yet to be announced.

Sonnen is a former competitor in the UFC and a long-time MMA fighter and says he has been told by the ‘ticket guy’ that the fight is agreed.

‘To tell you what that means, it’s called a ‘build’. In that industry, that’s when you submit to the ticketing company, what you want, what your card is, what your date is — essentially, your schematics, this is what the arena layout is going to look like.’

‘That’s called the build, that’s the first step to lining up your tickets,’ he added.

‘The build was submitted, and I got it right from the ticketing guy.

‘Whether that information is accurate or not, I believe it is. I believe it is enough that I reported it, I tweeted it.

The report from Sonnen was later given further credibility when reports surfaced that the T-Mobile arena in Las Vegas was provisionally booked for June 10th for the potential “super fight”.

SURFING

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WORLD SURF LEAGUE: OWENS FAIRYTALE

Australian surfer Owen Wright has completed a fairytale comeback after overcoming a serious brain injury to win stop number one of the World Surf League at Snapper Rocks.

Wright won the final over good mate and fellow competitor Matt Wilkinson and said he employed “dad strength” to get him through the three heats he was required to surf.

“I couldn’t have done it without all the support of my friends, family, partner and my little baby boy.

That dad strength just came from nowhere,” an emotional Wright said straight after the win, which he dedicated to partner Kita Alexander and son Vali.

“Love and support is why I am standing here. There’s been such a beautiful energy coming my way throughout this whole event and I’d like to thank everyone who has texted me, written to me, called me and just been there for me the whole time. It definitely pulled me through what

was a really tough year.”

Wright suffered a serious fall at Hawaii’s Banzai Pipeline in 2015 and though the full extent of the injury has never been revealed, he was required to spend 2016 consulting specialists and recuperating. It was not until earlier this year that Wright indicated he was back in competitive shape again and was promptly awarded a wildcard for the 2017 World Surf League season. He said the road to recovery had been tough.

“I had to confront every fear just to get back here,” Wright said.

“There were a lot of fears to push through to get back into the sport that pretty much took me out and could’ve taken me out forever. And to have that final with one of my best mates — I’m just over the moon.”

Wilkinson said he had been equally as moved by Wright’s return from injury but joked it was all business out in the water throughout the final.

“I obviously wanted to win but I couldn’t have asked for a better person to beat me,” Wilkinson said.

“For him to be in this event was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen. Watching him go through everything he did was the hardest thing I’ve ever seen and to come back and do this is pretty incredible.

“I love him and he’s been one of my best mates for so long, I think I was probably competing against a bit more than the ocean out there.”

Owen follows a similar path to fellow Australian surfer and 3x World Champion Mick Fanning, who after missing an entire season to serious injury returned to win Snapper rocks and would eventually go on to win his first world title. Chapter one of the script might just be the start of this season for Owen Wright who still has many of his favoured events ahead of him and is well seeded and placed to make a serious push for his for World title.

manliness “the traditional male quality of being brave and strong�

STYLE

THE KEY HABITS OF HIGHLY STYLISH PEOPLE

ANYONE WITH A CREDIT CARD CAN STROLL INTO BARNEYS AND EMERGE LOOKING LIKE FASHION WITH A CAPITAL F—BUT THAT’S NOT NECESSARILY WHAT TRULY STYLISH PEOPLE DO. VERY FEW PEOPLE—CREDIT CARDS OR NOT—CAN BE CONSIDERED HUMANS OF GENUINE STYLE. Yes, draping yourself in the coolest labels and piling on “It” items might give you a boost of instant sartorial gratification, but in six months those pieces will be obsolete, you’ll be out a month’s rent, and you’ll feel compelled to keep up with the cycle of buying the next round of coveted pieces. It’s exhausting. Still, so many Men seem to be falling victim to that exact cycle.

Blame it on today’s street styleobsessed world, but all we have to do today is take a quick peek at Pinterest, give Instagram a quick scroll, or visit any one of the gazillion personal style blogs that exist, and we’ll be inundated with up-to-the-minute images of whats hot and not. And that, in turn, can result in scores of young Men looking, well, exactly like everyone else and going broke in the process.

Then, however, there are those images you’ll see on blogs or street style sites of young Men who look so amazingly chic, cool, or interesting who aren’t covered in head-to-toe labels, but rather know how to take nondescript pieces and style them in such a way that their whole look is completely enviable and covetable.

These, friends, are the truly stylish Gentlemen from whom we should aim to take our fashion inspiration.

To that end, we’ve compiled the 7 habits of highly stylish people to get you started.

1. THEY DON’T SURF STREET STYLE BLOGS AND COPY EXACTLY WHAT THEY SEE, LABEL FOR LABEL 2. THEY AREN’T AFRAID OF ANY STORE—AND CAN FIND SOMETHING ALMOST ANYWHERE 3. THEY KNOW HOW TO STYLE THEMSELVES ACCORDING TO THEIR OWN TASTE 4. THEY ALWAYS LOOK A LITTLE LESS “DONE” THAN EVERYONE ELSE 5. THEY UNDERSTAND LABELS DON’T MAKE THEM COOLER 6. THEY AREN’T SLAVES TO FASHION 7. THEY DON’T DRESS TO BE CONSIDERED STYLISH

GRILLERS' Corner GRILLED MISO SHRIMP

SUN’S OUT, GRILL’S OUT! MEMORI AL DAY M AY STILL BE A FEW WEEKS AWAY, BUT YOUR GRILL DOESN’T H AVE TO WAIT. KICK THE SEASON OFF EARLY WITH THIS DELICIOUS SPRING RECIPE.

H OT T I P

When grilling shrimp or scallops, use sticks of lemongrass or sprigs of rosemary as an alternative to metal or bamboo skewers.

INGREDIENTS

3 tablespoons fresh lime juice 2 tablespoons yellow miso 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 tablespoon finely grated fresh ginger 1 large garlic clove, minced 1 1/2 teaspoons light brown sugar 1 pound large shrimp, shelled and deveined 3 scallions, cut into 1 1/2-inch lengths 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1 tablespoon sambal oelek

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE

Light a grill or preheat a grill pan. In a bowl, whisk 2 tablespoons of the lime juice with the miso, vegetable oil, ginger, garlic and brown sugar. Add the shrimp and toss to coat. Thread the shrimp and scallions on eight 8-inch skewers.

Grill the shrimp over moderately high heat, turning once, until lightly charred and cooked through, about 5 minutes.

In a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise with the sambal oelek and the remaining 1 tablespoon of lime juice. Serve the shrimp with the sambal mayonnaise.

SERVE WITH

Lime wedges and cilantro.

S U G G E S T E D PA I R I N G

A zippy, tropical California Sauvignon Blanc.

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MONEY

AMERICA FIRST BUT STOCK I N V E S TO R S S H O U L D LO O K OUTSIDE U.S.

shift may already be underway. So far this year, the MSCI Emerging Markets index is up 12%, double the 5% gain of the broad U.S. stock market, according to Bespoke.

“Investment returns go in cycles, don’t forget that,” says Rajiv Jain, manager of GQG Partners Emerging Market Equity fund. Rather than look at the past and commit cash to stocks that have done the best, investors need to identify where the next wave of better returns will be. “The best opportunities are in markets that have gone through significant pain,” he says. “You need two things: cheap stock prices and economies that are improving.”

With U.S. stocks trading in overvalued territory after their long rally, investors are likely to reap better returns going forward in places like the eurozone, and in emerging markets like Brazil, and Central and Eastern Europe.

These foreign markets now have characteristics that suggest future gains will outpace U.S. returns.

Working in their favor? They’re selling at more affordable prices, and are home to economies on the upswing and companies poised to post stronger profit growth.

Europe and many emerging markets fit that description, Jain says. He likes stocks in “hard-hit” areas of Eastern Europe, such as Bulgaria and Romania, which are on the upturn. Bulgaria’s Sofix index plunged 80% from its 2007 peak during the financial crisis and is still down roughly 65% from its high despite a rebound of roughly 25% in 2016. Romanian shares are also far off their 2007 peak.

Even as President Trump pushes an “America First” agenda, Wall Street pros think it’s a good time for investors to look outside the U.S. for stock opportunities. U.S. stocks have done far better than emerging market equities and global stocks in developed nations since the bull market began in March 2009. Domestic stocks have jumped nearly 250%, while their global counterparts have risen almost 100%, according to Bespoke Investment Group, a Wall Street research firm.

“If investors have additional capital to invest, we believe one of the first areas to target today would be international stock markets,” advises Sean Lynch, co-head of global equity strategy at Wells Fargo Investment Institute.Here’s why shifting some cash to overseas stocks makes sense: * Time to shine. Long market cycles like the one since 2009 when U.S. stock returns topped the rest of the world eventually end. New cycles are accompanied by new leaders. The

* Diversification still makes sense.

Having a decent allotment of foreign stocks makes sense, as the U.S. makes up just about half of the world’s stock market value. The benefit of not putting all of ones money in one place is this: Investors can smooth out long-term returns and lower risk by owning an array of stocks that go up and down at different times.

“We believe strongly in global stock diversification,” says Fran Kinniry, global head of portfolio construction at Vanguard Group. He says investors should have roughly 30% of their stock investments in foreign companies. He

stresses that global stocks won’t be spared when markets fall. * Cheaper Overseas. U.S. stocks in the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index are now trading near 20 times earnings, which is above their 10-year average, according to Wells Fargo Investment Institute.

By contrast, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, which includes 23 nations, such as Brazil, Russian and Indonesia, is trading at less than 15 times earnings, which is below its long-term average. Similarly, the MSCI EAFE index, which tracks 21 developed overseas markets in places like Europe, Australia and Japan, is trading around 16 times earnings, or nearly 25% below its 10year average.

“We find very few places in which international markets look expensive today compared to historical valuations,” Wells Fargo’s Lynch wrote in a report.While Audrey Kaplan, co-head of international equities at Federated Investors, likes the lower valuations and improving economies in the eurozone, she feels Europe could be held back by political risk tied to elections in France and other places involving populist anti-European Union candidates, as well as uncertainty tied to the Brexit negotiations between the U.K. and E.U. “The catalyst to buy is not there until the politics clear up,” she says. * Overseas business trends are improving.When it comes to growth, the Wells Fargo Investment Institute sees the U.S. economy growing at a 2.3% clip this year, which is slower than the 3.3% global GDP estimate.

Emerging market growth is forecast at 4.5%, IMF data show.

& Career HOW TO NAIL THE PERFECT JOB INTERVIEW

When it comes to job interviews, we often see it as a one-way street, with the interviewer holding all the cards.

In reality, though, it’s a two-way interaction. You are also interviewing them to see if their company is the right fit for you. Sure, sometimes desperation means you don’t have that luxury, but hopefully at some point you’ll have options and you’ll get to choose the company that’s best for you. A large part of determining that is the questions you ask at the end of the interview.

Beyond that, asking questions shows your interest in the job and the company.

Q&A often only consists of a few minutes at the end of an hour-long interview, but it’s the final impression you’ll make, and according to one-third of HR managers, it can make or break your chances of getting the gig. When they inevitably ask you if you have questions, not having any indicates that you don’t really care about the position and are seemingly only going through the motions of an interview; conversely, asking good, incisive questions shows you’re knowledgeable about the field and sincerely curious about the job.

The goal with your own questions is to just get a better picture of the company as a whole and your potential role in it. You don’t want to get too detailed — save that for the follow-up interview, or when they offer you the job. For instance, you don’t want to ask about salary or benefits right off the bat; that will make it seem like you’re only interested in money, and not the position.

In this article, we’ll give you just a few options from a few different categories that we think are the most important.

You want to have at least 3 questions to ask, so come prepared with at least 6 just in case some get answered in the course of the interview.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE POSITION

What is a day or week in the life of this position like? Can you show me an example of a project I’d be working on?

— This is fairly straightforward. You obviously want to know what the daily/ weekly workflow and tasks will be. For many jobs, it’s hard to nail down what

a consistent day/week looks like, so the answer you get may be vague. But hopefully it’s enough to get a feel for whether you’re a good fit for the position.

This is one that is often answered before the end of the interview, so be sure to have a back-up.

What is the history of this position? Is it newly created? If not, why did the previous person leave it? — It’s beneficial to know the history of the position you’re interviewing for. Is it newly created?

If so, you have the opportunity to set the standard. Has the position seen 5 employees in 5 years? You may want to think twice about taking it. This can be uncomfortable to ask, but is necessary on your end to know what kind of role you’re getting into.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FUTURE

Is there room for advancement or career training in this position? — If the answer is no, you may not want the position. If the answer is yes, it’s helpful to know what you can aspire to. It also signals to the interviewer that you have ambition and that you set your sights high.

Is there the opportunity for mentorship within this position? — This is somewhat dependent on the individual. For some folks, it’s very important to have career mentorship from a manager or executive; if this is important to you, ask away. This will signal to the interviewer that you are interested in growth — nobody wants a static employee who plateaus in their first week.

QUESTIONS ABOUT SUCCESS

How will you define success for this position? — When expectations are vague, feedback is hard to come by, and you may be held to standards you didn’t know existed. You want to know exactly what they think a successful employee will accomplish in this position. There should be specific goals, too, versus something broad like, “Increase sales through marketing and advertising.”

What are the most important objectives for this position in the first few months?

— This is a follow-up question to the previous, and is important because how you kick off a new job is crucial in determining your future at that company.

Will you immediately establish yourself

as a go-getter, or as mediocre and inefficient? Knowing some immediate objectives will help you make sure you’re on the right course. You can also determine if the expectations are reasonable; if you’re asked to do too much in the first few months, it may be an unfortunate sign of things to come.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE COMPANY

What are the 5- and 10-year goals of the company? — This tells the interviewer that you’re thinking about the future, and that you care about where the company is going. You’ll get an idea of whether this is a company you want to stick around with or not.

What’s the company culture like? Do co-workers eat lunch together? Do you have regular team events? — You see this question a lot in lists like this, but it’s often too vague. Asking simply “What’s the company culture like?” leaves a lot of wiggle room for the interviewer, and can be hard to answer. Asking some specific questions along with it helps you get a better understanding of the specific environment. You can also ask about after-work activities, about collaborating on projects, etc. The culture of where you work will go a long way in determining your satisfaction with the job.

QUESTIONS FOR THE END

Do you have any concerns about my qualifications? — This is a tough question to ask, but one that really sets you apart from other candidates. It may even throw off the interviewer, but in a good way, and will hopefully get them to voice some honest thoughts they have about your resume. If they bring up a couple problem areas they see, you can address them confidently and ease their fears.

Hopefully you can go into the interview anticipating any concerns they may have, and be prepared to reassure them that you’re the right candidate.

What are the next steps in the interview process? — This should always be your last question. This is simply for logistical purposes, and hopefully outlines whether there are more interviews, any homework for you (like writing or design tests), and what the timeline is like for hiring.

FITNESS

Whether you’re a beginner or you’ve been hitting the gym for years, approaching an unfamiliar piece of equipment is intimidating. That’s why we’re tackling “The Don’t List” things you should never do while using certain pieces of gym equipment. We’re starting with the treadmill. Treadmill workouts might seem simple on the surface, you hop on, crank up the speed, maybe try an incline? How hard can it be? But appearances are deceiving. There’s a right way and a wrong way to get your treadmill workout in.

2. DON’T PUT A TOWEL OVER THE NUMBERS

TREADMILL WORKOUT DON’TS

During any treadmill workout your mindset matters. Imagine pulling the treadmill with the balls of your feet and propelling yourself instead of the treadmill propelling you. Stay light on your feet and don’t strike the machine with your heels.

1. DON’T HOLD THE TREADMILL WHEN YOU INCLINE WALK

Holding on while you walk on a treadmill defeats the purpose of using your own body weight to burn fat. The action of what is essentially pulling your body weight up a hill is essential to getting the most out of your treadmill workout.

You need to be mindful of pace and time when you run. There should never be a running workout wherein you are completely oblivious to your statistics. When you go into cruise control mode, it’s easy to lose sight of whether or not you’re improving week to week. Running is all about being mindful and aware.

3. DON’T LE T THE TREADMILL PULL YOU, YOU PULL THE TREADMILL

4. DON’T LE T THE NUMBERS YOU SEE INTIMIDATE YOU

When you increase the speed, immediately look up and allow your body to acclimate naturally. Let

your physical body take over without mentally agonizing about the speed number you’ve chosen. Settle into the pace without freaking out.

5. ONLY USE THE TREADMILL FOR INTERVALS AND SHORTER WORKOUTS Avoid the treadmill for long runs.

This may seem counterintuitive (especially in the winter) but many treadmills are hard so it’s basically like you’re running on concrete.

6. AVOID WATCHING T V DURING ALL WORKOUTS

You have the time you spend on the treadmill to unplug from life. Be mindful when you run and think about your body, the motion, and breathing. Watching TV isn’t going to give you any of that. Run because you want a mental release. It’s also all too easy to zone out to the TV and lose your footing.

& Diet

We all know that working out is an essential part of living a healthy lifestyle but it takes more than pumping iron and hitting the pavement. Good fitness habits are only part of the journey to getting truly fit. The food you eat is just as important to your overall health.

In our current age of kale chips, elimination diets, and gluten free everything, eating healthy can seem overly complicated. To make it easier, we spoke to Jennifer Major, a registered dietician and client success manager at Noom Inc., to get her tips on eating healthy the easy way.

“You don’t have to look far or spend too much to get powerhouse foods into your daily diet,” Major told us. Turns out, you may only have to go as far as your pantry to start eating right.

SUPERFOODS IN YOUR DIET

SPIN ACH

Spinach contains vitamin K, C, and folate. Folate is essential to

cell function and cell division.

Vitamin K builds healthy bones and supports heart health while vitamin C supports immunity and healthy connective tissue. You can get your nutrients from spinach whether it’s fresh or frozen. Try it in salads, sautéed with your eggs, or add it to a smoothie.

BERRIES

Berries contain antioxidants that fight cell damage and fiber that supports heart health.Mix berries into your morning yogurt or oatmeal, blend them into smoothies, or use them to top salads.

CINN AMON

This common spice is another fantastic source of antioxidants that can be anti-inflammatory and can help regulate blood sugar levels.

Sprinkle it in yogurt, oatmeal, or blend it into a smoothie. You can even put a dash of cinnamon in your daily coffee.

EGGS

Eggs are packed with protein and choline. Choline is essential for brain function.Scramble eggs with veggies and olive oil or boil them to snack on when you hit the 3PM slump.

SWEE T POTATO

Sweet Potatoes are packed with beta-carotene which is converted to vitamin A. Vitamin A has antioxidant properties and is essential to eye health. Sweet potatoes are versatile—roast them, bake them, mash them, add broth and make a soup. You can even make buns out of them!

CHICKPEAS

Chickpeas pack a healthy punch in a small package. They’ve got fiber, protein, and minerals including iron, magnesium, calcium, and even selenium. Your body needs magnesium to maintain normal muscle and nerve function. Start by rinsing and draining your chickpeas.

Put them on salads, roast them for some crunch.

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