Neues » wanted to run in this race," Paolucci said.

CORK, Ireland -- Graeme McDowell birdied four of his closing eight holes to join two-time runner-up Robert Rock in the lead early on day two of the Irish Open on Friday. Jose Cruz Jr. Jersey . Both players shot 5-under-par 66 to move to 8 under for the tournament in superb scoring conditions at the Fota Island course. McDowell, looking to win the Irish Open for the first time, birdied three holes in succession from his 11th, and birdied his 15th. It was his lowest 36-hole tally on European Tour in 15 months, since he was 11 under en route to a tie for third in last years Cadillac Championship at Doral. "My game still requires some work but I feel like as I play my way into the summer, I feel my golf swing, my short game, and my putting is starting to get stronger," he said. "So I am a feel player and Im a guy that needs to spend time on the golf course with a card in his pocket to see where hes at. "And coming off last weeks U.S. Open, pressure and expectations are not as high this week, and I feel very comfortable." Rock was also feeling at home. Five years ago in Baltray, Rock lost to then-rookie Shane Lowry in a playoff. Rocks only consolation was Lowrys amateur status meant he had to forfeit the 500,000 euros first prize cheque. A year ago, Rock was joint runner-up in Dublin to fellow Englishman Paul Casey. "It is more to do with the time of year (for me), as I played well at the start of the year but then struggled, and your confidence takes a bit of a bashing. But then you work hard and I seem to start to play well again and it all turns around," he said. Italys Marco Crespi (67) and Englands Matthew Nixon (65) shared third place in the clubhouse on 7 under. Overnight leader Mikko Ilonen of Finland, who set a course record with his opening 64, teed off in the afternoon. Roberto Osuna Astros Jersey . -- Two nights after losing to the Eastern Conferences worst team, the Phoenix Coyotes handled the best. Josh Reddick Astros Jersey . Both had to wait out a rain interruption lasting nearly five hours before taking comprehensive third-round victories to join Carling Bassett-Seguso (1983, 1986), Patricia Hy-Boulais (1996-97) and Daniel Nestor (1999) as Canadians who made it into the second week of a major. https://www.cheapastros.com/653o-carlos-correa-jersey-astros.html . -- LeGarrette Blount made one last big splash into a soggy end zone.BALTIMORE -- Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome was made the odds-on favourite at 3-5 on Wednesday for the Preakness Stakes, and he drew an inside post position in the 10-horse field that includes a filly for the first time in five years. Trained by Art Sherman and ridden by Victor Espinoza, California Chrome will break from the No. 3 post, which has produced 10 winners in the previous 138 runnings of the 1 3/16-mile race, the last being Prairie Bayou in 1993. "Three is fine with me," Sherman said. "Most of the speed is on the outside of me. If they go, they go, I can tuck in right behind them without any problems. I think my horse will perform." So does California Chromes co-owner Steve Coburn, who dared to look ahead. "One race at a time," he said, "but Im still thinking Triple Crown." If California Chrome wins on Saturday, next up would be the Belmont Stakes on June 7. Only 11 horses have swept the Derby, Preakness and Belmont and none since 1978. California Chrome brings a five-race winning streak into the Preakness, having won that many by a combined 26 lengths. Still, his overwhelming odds surprised Sherman, a 77-year-old trainer who has never had a colt this good. "I never thought Id be that kind of price," he said. "I really thought Id be 6-5." Speedster Social Inclusion was the 5-1 second choice of new Pimlico oddsmaker Keith Feustle. The colt drew the No. 8 post. He skipped the Kentucky Derby and is one of seven new horses lining up to challenge California Chrome. "Im never afraid of nothing," owner Ron Sanchez said. "We have a great post position. We have slow horses to our outside. Thats going to help us a lot." Bayern and Ride On Curlin are the co-third choices at 10-1. Bayern, who ddrew the No. Roger Clemens Astros Jersey. 5 post, is trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, who is seeking a sixth Preakness win. Rosie Napravnik will ride the colt, trying to become the first female jockey to win the race. Ride On Curlin finished seventh in the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago. Once again, Ride On Curlin drew an outside post, landing in the No. 10 spot after breaking from the 19th position in the Derby starting gate under Calvin Borel. This time, Joel Rosario will ride the colt. Borel has switched to filly Ria Antonia, who is the longest shot in the field at 30-1. "I wish she was 50-1," co-owner Ron Paolucci said. "The way she works and trains, she thinks shes 3-5." She will try to become the first filly to win the Preakness since Rachel Alexandra beat the boys in 2009. Like Rachel, Ria Antonia did not run in the Derby first. She finished sixth in the Kentucky Oaks, held the day before the Derby. After the Oaks, Ria Antonias owners switched trainers, dumping Baffert for Tom Amoss. "I always wanted to run in this race," Paolucci said. "My filly is a really big filly, shes really solid. Coming back in two weeks gives her an absolute edge. I know its really going to help her." General a Rod is the only other Derby horse to try the Preakness. He was 11th at Churchill Downs. There is a trio of 20-1 shots in the field. One of them, Kid Cruz, is trained by Linda Rice, giving the Preakness a female trainer, jockey and filly in the same race for the first time. The other 20-1 shots are Pablo Del Monte, who drew the No. 9 post, and Ring Weekend, who will break from the No. 4 spot. Illinois Derby winner Dynamic Impact drew the No. 1 post, putting the colt along the rail, a spot not favoured by most trainers who fear getting trapped inside. ' ' '