Derby Day; Horse Racing’s AstroTurf?; Golden State Glory; Historically Black Baseball; Shrubbery and Sports; NBA upsets, calling fouls, the Queen and More with Charlie Pierce; “Not By A Long Shot”

T.D. Thorton’s “Not By A Long Shot” is a peek behind the grandstands at a mid-level horse track in East Boston. Thorton, Suffolk Downs’ p.r. guy, shows what life is like at a horsetrack not named Churchhill Downs or Belmont Park, even dishing on a few shady dealings.

The Yankees are in the AL East basement and the organization seems to be on high alert. Bill Littlefield warns that Joe Torre might be safe for now but the writing is on the wall.