Once told D. Wayne Lukas the Kentucky Derby did not feel like the Derby when he was not involved. An era ended with his death Saturday night. Rest in peace, Coach.

A staunch Republican friend made a curious distinction the other day. He said DJT is not the worst president we have had but is the worst person to become president. From the grave, James Buchanan says, “Give him time.”

Coast Guard rescue swimmer Scott Ruskan credited with saving 165 lives during the Texas floods. Though the Congressional Medal of Honor is bestowed for valor in combat, perhaps it’s time to expand the criteria.

Sportsbetting.ag gives Louisville an 18-1 shot at NBA expansion. With an expansion fee over/under of $4.5 billion, I doubt the odds are that good.

Paul McCartney’s U.S. tour comes to Columbus in November. Would like to see him, but am experiencing sticker shock at ticket prices. For those of us who don’t keep all our money in a brown bag inside a zoo (“Baby, You’re a Rich Man”), what to do?

Thought McCartney tour stop in football stadium in Minneapolis might mean more seats available. Probably not enough, though.

Recommended reading: Terrific piece on Scott Scheffler’s search for meaning by Mark Whicker open.substack.com/pub/markwhicke…

Saw Superman. It’s entertaining enough, but can’t understand why an evil genius like Lex Luthor can’t achieve world domination without so much collateral damage.

Sad to learn of the passing of Tom Lehrer, but consoled that his music lives on. Tom Lehrer - Fight Fiercely Harvard - YouTube youtube.com/watch?v=27PSHA…

Putting registered sex offender Lawrence Taylor at a White House podium amid all the Epstein headlines is, at best, Mr. Magoo-level bad optics.

If you’re interested in World War II and stories you may not know, check out the youtube channel of Watkins Museum of History now for a live interview with my buddy Bill Geroux, author of a new book on POW camps in America.

Just learned of the death of boxing promoter Don Elbaum, maybe the most colorful character I’ve encountered. The New York Times obit captures some of his more memorable stunts, but it fails to mention his press release calling a proposed bout “reliably rumored.” RIP, Don.

If Michigan can keep its tainted football title, Louisville’s case to reclaim its 2013 NCAA title sure seems more persuasive. Wolverines’ cheating directly impacted games. Strippers in the dorm, not so much.

The issues raised in this 2024 column remain in the wake of Michigan keeping its tainted football title. share.google/lHsaR340ohdtG9…

Some guy named Tim Sullivan planted a corn maze marriage proposal. Wasn’t me. Was, however, inspired. share.google/JIb0xMt36oTzcZ…

We know Mark Stoops' approval rating is struggling, but given the contract situation, is the UK football coach facing real job pressure this season? Jon Hale dives into it. kentucky.com/sports/college…

Fifty years after Secretariat’s Triple Crown, Ron Turcotte was kind enough to indulge me for yet another interview about his ride to immortality. Racing is diminished by Turcotte’s death at 84. leoweekly.com/news/gawking-a…

Have a hard time believing the NFL conspired to send Shadeur Sanders a draft message. Would have a harder time believing it if not for the Colin Kaepernick case.

Have seen enough excerpts from Taylor Swift’s appearance on the Kelce brothers’ podcast to conclude she’s remarkably bright, insightful and funny as well as ridiculously talented. If she can’t make men stay, seems to me that says more about them than her.