layers ended up in double figures.Michigan: The Wolverines have looked better on defense this season, but the second half of this game was a bit of a wake-up call. Virginia Tech shot 52 percent from the fi

Just for a moment, say this with your best impression of that deep-throated movie trailer guy:Hes won two races down the famous Flemington straight six including the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap. Hell be there from the half way line and beyond. He is .... The Quarterback.Whether that really worked for you or not, The Quarterback will have to be the most popular name (if you pick your horses like that) with that growing number of younger punters who like their NFL.The Quarterbacks sire is the American stallion Street Boss. Before he even hit the track and got the name with which he bursts through packs today, creative minds quickly got to work on the stars and stripes connection.His stable name as a young horse was always Bruce because of the boss Bruce Springsteen; he got that name in his very early days when they were breaking him in, The Quarterbacks trainer, Robbie Griffiths, recalled in reference to the period when young horses are in the first stages of their education.From that, The Quarterback name eventually came along to go with all of the other USA connections.Rated the $5.50 second favourite with UBET for the Group 1 Darley Classic at Flemington on Saturday, The Quarterback takes on smart opposition including five-time Group 1 winner Lankan Rupee and last-start Group 2 Caulfield Sprint winner Our Boy Malachi, the $4.60 favourite.Im really happy with him, Griffiths told ESPN from his training base in Cranbourne, an hour east of Melbourne. Hes always been a horse that weve been able to peak him on a particular day, and we did that on Oaks Day last year for the 1000 metre race, which he won.Then we planned to have him at his best in the Newmarket [in March] -- not knowing whether hed be good enough -- but he still gave us his best performance and won. Were hoping to achieve that same goal [on Saturday].Everything is falling into place to this point; it is just a question of whether he is good enough again. Its a crackerjack race and no Group 1 race is easy to win. This race has got a lot of depth to it especially with Lankan Rupee returning to racing in good order. But our horse is ready to go and were hoping weve got the right one.While good form always plays a major part in being competitive in these races, The Quarterback has delivered especially when not expected to.His first up run was just brilliant in the Gilgai [Stakes at Flemington on 3 September] and then his run at Moonee Valley was fantastic [third in Manikato Stakes on Oct. 23] so hopefully we can be in the right place at the right time here. Fingers and toes, and everything, crossed.With nine wins and eight placings in 29 starts, including two wins over the straight Flemington 1200 metre course, The Quarterback has become somewhat of an all-American hero for his connections, particularly for Griffiths as the gelding provided him with his first Group 1 win as a trainer in the 2016 Newmarket Handicap in March.Most significantly, it was a special moment for a long-lasting friendship as highly respected form analyst Deane Lester is a part of The Quarterbacks ownership.From their initial meeting at morning trackwork at Cranbourne in 1982, when Griffiths was a budding apprentice jockey and Lester a horse strapper, they shared the thrill of winning at the highest level for the first time -- albeit a little later than Lesters initial prediction.We knocked on the door in 1994 when Id just turned 25; we had our first runner in a Group 1 race and ran third in the Toorak Handicap, Griffiths said of his stables first close encounter.Deane said if you got that close at your first attempt then a win is just around the corner. It was the ultimate early crow because it was 21 years before that win finally came.It is what it is and we really appreciated getting our first one but hopefully theres many more to come.The Darley Classic will be the final Group 1 race of the 2016 Spring Carnival. Jordan 5 For Sale Canada . Still, Brewers manager Ron Roenicke thought taking him out before the fifth inning was an unusual move. "Im looking up at the board and hes got two hits given up and one run, and Im taking him out after the fourth inning," Roenicke said. Air Jordan 5 Canada . Detroit and Boston are deadlocked, 1-1, and Tigers manager Jim Leyland could be forgiven if he was caught rationalizing instead of dissecting how his club could blow a 5-1 lead late in Game 2. http://www.airjordan5canada.com/ . Mitch Holmberg added a goal and three assists. Connor Chartier also scored for the Chiefs (3-0-0). Luke Harrison spoiled Garrett Hughsons shutout bid with a power-play goal at 13:17 of the third period. The Spokane goaltender finished with 28 saves, including a Brandon Fushimi penalty shot in the second period that would have tied the game 1-1. Jordan 5 For Sale Cheap . Brad Jacobs and his Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., team took control of the game early. Cheap Jordan 5 Canada .Y. -- Knicks coach Mike Woodson said Wednesday that J. ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Virginia Tech coach Buzz Williams had plenty of reasons to be disappointed while his team fell behind by 15 points at Michigan.There was also a lot time left.I didnt think we were playing hard, I didnt think we were playing tough. I understand the environment, I understand weve been gone nine days, I get all of that, Williams said. I thought over the last 30 minutes, there was more of a distinct brand of what we want to be about.Zach LeDay scored 15 of his 18 points in the second half, and the Hokies rallied to beat Michigan 73-70 on Wednesday night. Virginia Tech trailed 23-8 in the first half and 62-52 with 7:23 left in the second.Playing their fourth straight game away from home, the Hokies (6-1) were down 67-63 before a 3-pointer by Justin Bibbs started an 8-0 run. Seth Allen gave Virginia Tech the lead with a driving layup , then added a 3-pointer.Duncan Robinsons 3-pointer with 42 seconds left pulled Michigan (5-2) to within a point, and an offensive foul on Allen gave the Wolverines the ball back. But Michigan was out of timeouts, and Zak Irvin ended up trying a tough jumper from just inside the arc that missed.We were trying to isolate him, and they took him away a little bit, Wolverines coach John Beilein said. We know what to do when they take him away, and we didnt do it.After Bibbs made two free throws with 3.9 seconds left, Robinson had a chance to tie it, but his 3-pointer from the left wing missed.Michigan was in total control at the start, jumping out to a 17-4 lead and eventually going up by 15 on a 3-pointer by Derrick Walton. Virginia Tech was down 39-30 at halftime but opened the second half with a 9-2 run.I just came out in the second half and I wanted to be aggressive, LeDay said. In the first half, I was trying to feel it out, and Coach told me not to be like that, he told me to just be aggresssive, go full throttle, and thats what I did.ddddddddddddIrvin led Michigan with 23 points.BIG PICTUREVirginia Tech: The Hokies did their part in the ACC-Big Ten challenge, coming away with an upset win on the road. Virginia Tech had little trouble scoring after its slow start. Four players ended up in double figures.Michigan: The Wolverines have looked better on defense this season, but the second half of this game was a bit of a wake-up call. Virginia Tech shot 52 percent from the field on the night.FREE THROWSVirginia Tech took advantage of its foul shots, going 19 of 21 from the line. Michigan was only 4 of 7 and didnt attempt any until the second half. Forward D.J. Wilson fouled out for the Wolverines with 3:03 remaining.They played small ball, Irvin said. They were really just isolating our five. Figured if D.J. could go in there, hes versatile, he can play multiple positions, and once he fouled out, it was tough from there on.HANGING IN THEREThere was only one lead change in the game -- after Allens basket put the Hokies up 68-67 with 1:46 to play.Thank goodness in the time Ive been coaching you havent seen too many games like that, Beilein said. Where we lead the whole game and we cant make enough stops or finishes at the end offensively to win the game.UP NEXTVirginia Tech: The Hokies dont play again until next Wednesday night, when they host Maryland-Eastern Shore.Michigan: The Wolverines host Kennesaw State on Saturday, taking a break from major-conference competition during a four-game stretch that includes matchups with Virginia Tech, Texas and UCLA.---More AP college basketball: www.collegebasketball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 .---Follow Noah Trister at www.Twitter.com/noahtrister ' ' '