With the possible exception of Goldikova

With the possible exception of Goldikova, all former winners will be hard pressed to retain their titles in 2011and her quest for a four-timer may out-shadow the Classic as the premier event on the card.

Goldikova has won nearly $7 million, with a career record of 26-17-5-2 and has been installed the 7-5 morning line favorite for the Mile. Her main challengers are the second-place finishers in the last two editions of the Mile, Gio Ponti and Courageous Cat, who was second best in the 2009 Mile.

However, another French miler, Byword, is the biggest threat to Goldikova's record bid. Trained by Andre Fabre, best known as the architect of Arcangues' 65-1 upset in the 1993 Classic, Byword beat the leading horse in Europe at Longchamp in October. Despite losing to Goldikova in May, Byword takes on the mare again at Churchill Downs, and they can complete an all-French exacta in the Mile.

The matchup in the Classic between Uncle Mo, the 4-year-old filly Havre de Grace and international star So You Think is compelling, but the race is more open than in most years and looks primed for an upset.

Other teams may not have had an off-season, but in my mind we had an off-season

"Other teams may not have had an off-season, but in my mind we had an off-season," the New Orleans quarterback said. "Because we were together. Guys left that program in shape, focused, football-ready, and that made me feel good about where we would be coming into camp."

So in a sense, was the lockout actually an advantage for the Saints?

"Only time will tell," Brees said. "But the way we approached it, yes. That was the point. What we did, I hoped would prepare us to be ahead of everyone else."

There's no quibbling with the way both Rodgers and Brees have rocketed into the stratosphere of the league's best quarterbacks and put themselves on a Canton trajectory.

Rodgers threw for 304 yards and three touchdowns against Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XLV, earning most-valuable-player honors for that game, and putting the finishing touches on an up-from-the-rubble season for a Packers team that had 15 players on injured reserve.

There will be serious issues raised by the district attorney's office

There will be serious issues raised by the district attorney's office and us concerning the credibility of the complaining witness," Benjamin Brafman, a lawyer for Strauss-Kahn, told the Wall Street Journal

Eric Koston recently popped up in a picture posted by Kevin Imamura on Twitter holding

Eric Koston recently popped up in a picture posted by Kevin Imamura on Twitter holding a pair of SB Dunks which have caused quite the commotion online.  Seen in his hands is a Nike SB Dunk High which uses a colorway exactly the same as the Nike Dunk High – Black/White/Gum released back in August. Its hard to tell by this picture if the upper is made of suede or canvas and blogs are reporting both, so until further details arise we cant be to exact.

Stay tuned for further details.

known for being one of the greatest home run hitters of all time

The "Fresh Water" Griffeys have max air cushioning , a black upper with a white midsole, complimented nicely with fresh water swoosh and carbon fiber. This colorway should be as big a hit today as they were over 10 years ago.

Ken Griffey Jr., known for being one of the greatest home run hitters of all time, has inspired shoes that almost rival his illustrious career. They've brought back the Nike Air Griffey Max 2, but in a classic colorway that was popular in the 90s.

 

Nike Air Griffey Max 2

Black/White-Freshwater

The Dickies x Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Boot Hi is something like a Chuck fused

Two of America's iconic brands, Converse and Dickies were founded within ten years of one another during the 20th century's first quarter.  They're even more closely related when you examine that the first Chuck Taylors were issued in 1917 and Dickies was established the following year, so the above pictured collaboration can be seen to have truly been (only) a matter of time.  The Dickies x Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Boot Hi is something like a Chuck fused with Dickies' 6″ Trader boot, the latter's logo stitched in simple white embroidery on the lateral heels just so you know what's up.  Bake up an apple pie and get ready to enjoy the All-American goodness; these joints should hit select One Star retailers here in the States shortly.  via Dunk