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Eight Tips to Be an Extraordinary Travel Advisor

Photo: Dan Galbraith

The most successful advisors are those who are "extra ordinary," media personality and author Claire Newell told some 300 travel advisors attending the Travel Market Place West conference, which wrapped up on March 6. Newell, who is also president of host agency Travel Best Bets, was a featured speaker on day one of the two-day conference that featured dozens of panels, workshops, and hot seats, along with a packed trade show.

"Be that advisor that does something over and above what is expected of you, doing the extras that make them come back to you as a long term repeat client, and also share with their friends and family about what I great job you did," she said.

To achieve extra ordinary status, Newell offered eight actionable tips for advisors.

1. Get organized "In this industry, especially when you have a big book of clients, it is hard to stay on top of everything," Newell said.

Whether it's reminding a client about final payment or checking back in with client that just returned from a vacation, each little thing is important to remember.

Find the organizational system that works for you. It can be writing a list down on paper, creating digital to-do lists, or using your phone's calendar app. The system you use doesn't matter so long as it works for you and you use it every day.

Additionally, prioritize the tasks that are most important. Even if something more important comes up, "it doesn't mean that you shouldn't not get to what is on your list. It can be dropped down in priority but don't take it away. If you've written it down, it's important."

"Once you get good at it, then you'll get fast," she added.

2. Use social media Social media has one of the best, if not the best, return on investments a travel advisor can take advantage of, Newell told the audience.

"There's no real trick to it, other than you need to be consistent about it and you need to be professional about it... I encourage every single person to have a timeline for what it is they want to do and do it consistently, if that's once a week, if that's every other day, if that's twice a day..."

She recommended using the social media resources that suppliers and consortia/hosts offer, which can include fully written social media posts or just photos and videos that you want to feature.

She also said it shouldn't take longer than five or 10 minutes to do.

3. Show your passion Passion and excitement are contagious and the way advisors speak to their clients, particularly new clients, can make a huge difference.

"A person makes a decision, if they're speaking to more than one travel advisor, it's the passion that makes the difference," Newell said. "Your enthusiasm will translate into more bookings and more deals closed. There is no question about that."

4. Ask questions the right way Newell emphasized asking open-ended questions, adding that the most important piece of asking questions is listening to the answers.

"Let them talk. You'll get what hotel it was or what cruise line it was, whether they had a balcony, whether they had a gym or an ocean view. All of those things are their gift to you, because they are telling you what you need to put in front of them to make them happy."

Questions she said she likes are: what is the best vacation you've ever taken and what made it special; what lasting memories do you want from this particular trip; and what are the top three things that are on your wish list for this trip.

Newell also suggested advisors tend to ask one particular question wrong, that question being: what is your budget?

"I like to ask 'what are you comfortable spending?' That one little word lets them know that you're prioritizing their comfort," she said.

5. Do what you say you're going to do & be patient Doing what you say you're going to do is a tenet that Newell said she built her business around.

"Most of you in this room have been told that someone would do something by a certain time and they didn't. We kind of get cranky waiting," she reminded the audience.

Just as important is giving your clients the time to think over your proposals.

"Patience is a skill that a lot of people miss when it comes to sales. You need to trust yourself that you're putting together a proper proposal, that is includes everything they need to make an informed decision, and then give them time."

6. Upsell like a pro Upselling is important, but Newell believes many advisors go about it wrong by focusing on the cost of the upgrade without emphasizing the value proposition that the upgrade provides.

"Be descriptive about what they're going to be getting for paying the upgrade cost," she said, whether that's an ocean view instead of a parking lot or the swim-up suite that includes butler service.

Additionally, keep in mind that many clients don't even know that these upgrades are available. Advisors are doing their clients a favor but letting them know.

"They can always say no, but they might just take that upgrade to take whatever it is you're describing to them. Your words matter, your description matters to them."

She also reminded advisors that every single part of the trip has a possible upsell, whether it's air, cruise, private transfers, or something else.

7. Never stop learning Another core tenant, Newall said she built her business around was continuous learning.

"I think we could learn something in the travel industry every single day and you'd be learning until you're 100," she joked.

Take advantage of supplier and consortia/host training, and then let your clients know you've done the work.

"When I go into my doctor's office or my dentist's office and I see the credentials on the wall, it matters. It shows that you're investing in yourself and they trust you more," she said.

8. Take pride in your profession Newell equates charging a booking fee with having pride in yourself and your professionalism as a travel advisor.

"You are a professional and because of that you should be charging a fee," she said, adding she believes the minimum for a fee is no less than $50.

Similarly, Newell told the audience never assume that they have to price match what a potential client has found on their own.

"Ask the question, what was it that piqued their interest in that package. And if it's just price, thank you very much, you might not want them as your client and that's okay."

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In the role, Sweeney will be tasked with managing the U.S. marketing department. 

'ALGV invests more in the advisor than anyone else.'

Suppliers from across the travel industry are expressing their gratitude to the trade.

The final rules also deal with self-defense training for airline crew members, family seating, and more. 

As a travel advisor, you earn trust – and a living – through personal touches and creating connections. 

“The Department of Transportation made a profound error in this final rule." 

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Travel Best Bets is TTC’s Outstanding Agency for North America

Post date: Mar 28 2023

Date: Mar 28 2023

By: Travelweek

TORONTO — The Travel Corporation has recognized Travel Best Bets with the 2022 award for ‘Outstanding Agency for North America.’

The Burnaby, BC-based agency, which according to President Claire Newell is on a mission to increase its tour sales, has bounced back from the pandemic in a big way, surpassing year-end 2019 sales levels.

Newell says that the company is committed to “ensuring our team of agents has the training necessary to keep up with the latest industry trends, and that they have support they need to sell guided vacations.”

This, she adds, includes working with trusted suppliers like The Travel Corporation.

“With our guided vacation sales on the rise, our partnership with The Travel Corporation is essential to our advisors who benefit from the huge range of product offerings, user-friendly tools, fantastic support and training. We look forward to another outstanding and record-breaking sales year with The Travel Corporation,” says Newell.

To help support its more than 320 travel advisors, Travel Best Bets has held weekly webinars and drop-in virtual sessions leading up to the busy Europe season in an effort to develop strong relationships between its advisors and tour partners. It also created a Resource Centre where advisors can access updated promotions, training materials and videos, tips and tricks, marketing tools and more. 

For more information go to www.travelbestbets.com .

Tags: Lead Story, TTC

Whether you want to dip your toes in the ocean, sail to new and exciting destinations or have the adventure of a life time, I can help get you there.   I joined Travel Best Bets as a Connected Agent because they have 29 years of service in the travel industry. I have watched and listened to Claire Newell's recommendations over the years and I am so impressed with how she has grown her business. Her travel experience and relationships with all of our travel partners is how Travel Best Bets continues to offer the "best bets".  These are just a few of the reasons I am proud to be a Travel Best Bets Connected Agent.

The resort in this photo is the beautiful Riu Vallarta in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  At Travel Best Bets we have all-inclusive packages for all of your favorite destinations, however, I can also create one for wherever and whenever you would like to go.

This is a photo of a beautiful Princess Cruise ship.  At Travel Best Bets we have relationships with all of the major cruise lines so I can help you get to wherever you want to go with your favorite brand.  We have packages ready to go on our website or I can help you plan one especially for you.

This is a picture from Sandals Grande St. Lucian.  Whether you are a dreaming of a luxury all-inclusive vacation, sailing the ocean with Oceania or Cunard (just to name a few) or sailing along a river on an elegant River Cruise with one of the many River Cruise companies such as, Ama Waterways and Avalon Waterways, Travel Best Bets has luxury packages with our supplies available on our website and I can also help you plan the luxury vacation you have always dreamed of.

This photo is from Globus encouraging you to chase your dreams.  Often when visiting a foreign destination for the first time, a guided tour can be a great option.  Some of the perks of a guided tour is having VIP access to many of the attractions and having them drive you around with out having to navigate a map.  The tour guides are a wealth of knowledge and there are tour packages available for destinations all over the world.  There are companies to match everyone's, interests and ages.  Companies like Globus, Cosmos, G Adventures, Trafalgar Tours, Costsaver and Contiki just to name a few.  Our website has many guided tour options, however, if you don't see what you are looking for please contact me and I will help you customize a guided tour vacation.

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Back to school with Travel Best Bets Academy

(Phto above: Travel Best Bets home-based agents stop for a photo while touring the Celebrity Eclipse cruise ship during the recent Travel Best Bets Conference Weekend on the last weekend of July.)

One of Canada’s top travel agencies has recently launched an online school for those seeking entry to the fast-moving travel retailing industry. The Travel Best Bets Academy is the brainchild of Claire Newell, well known in B.C. as a consumer travel consultant and creator/owner of the Travel Best Bets online travel agency, which employs almost 200 travel consultants.

“As a result of increased competition and access to information, travel has become accessible to everyone, which means that educated and professional travel advisors are in high demand,” says Newell.

She explains that the Travel Best Bets Academy was created in response to a gap in training options for travel agents. It provides an online, affordable, self-paced travel program that covers off all the training an agent needs prior to starting in the industry, she says. Plus, there are sections on marketing, customer service and sales skills, “which are elements missing from most in-class travel agent courses today.”

“As someone who has been in the business for 26 years, I’ve seen a lot of travel plans go sideways because of either bad advice or worse, and consumers going it alone without an agent,” says Newell.

Enrollments have so far exceeded expectations, with 75 students signing up the Academy since it debuted on June 3. A goal of 100 students had been set for the year, so Newell is “thrilled” with the rate of enrollments so far.

She describes the course as flexible in terms of pacing, and says some of the students have completed the courses in just under six weeks, after which they received a certificate.

“We have set it up so they will know all the basics to work at an in-office agency or be a home-based agent. Hands on learning will be necessary once they get started in their career, but that is really the same with any education program.”

At a cost of $999 ($750 USD), the Academy fee “is a fraction of what other travel schools cost,” she says. Students have the option to breaking payments into four monthly installments.

Subjects in the extensive curriculum are subdivided as Leisure Travel, Airfares, Fares, Hotels, Car Rentals, Rail, Cruising, Vacation Packages & Tours, Geography, Economics, Independent Work, Agency Work, Client Management & Invoicing and more.

Newell is hoping that other agency owners won’t see Travel Best Bets Academy as competition, given that she is also an agency owner herself.

“This is a stand-alone course designed to get people trained and working as professional travel agents in the most affordable, convenient way possible. Goodness knows we are desperate for them. Most agency owners I speak to say that the hardest part of their job is finding new staff.”

Go to https://travelbestbetsacademy.com for more.

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2024 Kentucky Derby betting: How to bet on the Kentucky Derby with tips and strategies

The 150th Kentucky Derby is just around the corner. Arguably one of the most renowned sporting events in history makes its return to Churchill Downs this Saturday, and with it comes a flurry of sports bettors looking to get in on the fastest two minutes in sports.

The Run for the Roses is known for the sports betting culture that surrounds it. While heavy favorites and frontrunners often dominate the field in this historic event, the last two years have seen massive underdogs claim victory between Rich Strike (2022) and Mage (2023) . The payout that comes with an underdog taking the win can entice some bettors into putting money on a similar result this year. However, it's often smarter to bet on the favorites. Prior to 2022, the previous eight winners had all been favorites or near-favorites.

You also don't have to bet on just one horse though. If you'd like to hedge your bets, betting on multiples horses can give you a little more leeway at a slightly higher payout. Of course, that is often a luxury most people cannot afford. So, whether you are a returning Derby bettor or a first timer looking for some excitement this weekend. Here is how to bet on the 150th Run for the Roses.

2024 Kentucky Derby: Post positions are set. Here's where each horse landed

Where to bet on the 2024 Kentucky Derby

A few sportsbooks will allow some form of betting on the esteemed race. The one that dominates the scene every year is FanDuel , which has options for bettors through its sportsbook and Racing App in 29 states.

Looking to bet: Wager on the Kentucky Derby with FanDuel

Strategies for Kentucky Derby betting

Betting on just one horse in a field of 20 is often not the best bet. Other strategies you could employ include vertical and/or horizontal wagers.

A vertical wager involves trying to predict the correct order in which certain horses finish. There are several different versions of this wager, including a Super High Five, where you must predict the correct order of the top five horses in the race. These are obviously very difficult to pull off, but have massive payouts if you're looking for a home run.

Horizontal wagers involve betting on multiple races. If you're looking to make a whole day out of betting on the races at Churchill Downs, then perhaps a horizontal wager would be the way to go.

Who are the favorites in the Kentucky Derby this year?

Per CBS Sports, the favorite in this year's race is Fierceness at 5-2 odds. Nipping at Fierceness' heels is Sierra Leone at 3-1. On some sites, Leone has the better odds than Fierceness, but the latter appears to be the consensus favorite.

Following those two, it's a steep drop to Catching Freedom at 8-1. Only two other horses – Forever Young and Just a Touch – even have 10-1 odds of winning.

Odds via CBS Sports, as of Wednesday, May 1.

• Fierceness (5-2)
• Sierra Leone (3-1)
• Catching Freedom (8-1)
• Forever Young (10-1)
• Just a Touch (10-1)
• Dornoch (20-1)
• Mystik Dan (20-1)
• Just Steel (20-1)
• Honor Marie (20-1)
• Track Phanton (20-1)
• Stronghold (20-1)
• Resilience (20-1)
• Catalytic (30-1)
• T O Password (30-1)
• Endlessly (30-1)
• Domestic Product (30-1)
• Epic Ride (30-1)
• Grand Mo the First (50-1)
• Society Man (50-1)
• West Saratoga (50-1)

2024 Kentucky Derby Field: horses and odds

How to watch the 2024 kentucky derby:.

When:  Saturday, May 4, 2024

Where:  Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky

Time:  6:57 p.m. ET; 3:57 p.m. PT

Coverage starts : 2:30 p.m. ET

TV:  NBC; USA TV Network

Stream:   NBC Sports app ;  Peacock

Watch the race: Stream the 2024 Kentucky Derby with a Peacock subscription

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It’s Wednesday and that means there’s baseball scattered throughout the day.

I have a really nice assortment of MLB picks on tap for the evening window. If you’re looking for strikeout or combo hitting prop, or just want to throw a dart at a dinger call, I have you covered.

Let’s dive in.

Wednesday’s top MLB prop bets

Corbin burnes under 6.5 strikeouts (-138, fanduel ).

Orioles vs. Yankees, 6:35 p.m. ET

The Orioles made a late offseason franchise-altering splash when they acquired Burnes from the Brewers to lead a young pitching staff on a World Series quest. There is no doubt he is still a fantastic pitcher and his underlying numbers back that notion.

But he’s not missing as many bats this season. He absolutely shoved in his O’s debut by serving up 11 strikeouts, but he hasn’t cleared Wednesday’s 6.5 K projection in any of his five appearances since then.

According to Baseball Savant, Burnes’ whiff rate on his cutter and curveball are both down a bit, and those are his two most frequently used pitches. 

There is a huge difference in whiff rate on his curveball, as it was 48.8% last season, and that’s down to 32.1% through six 2024 starts.

Of course, Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge are always a threat to strike out multiple times , but this is a much different Yankees lineup than in prior years. 

New York is only striking out 19.8% of the time against right-handed pitchers, good for the fifth-best mark in baseball.

CJ Abrams over 1.5 hits + runs + RBI (-135, BetMGM )

Nationals vs. Rangers, 8:05 p.m. ET

The left-handed hitting Nationals shortstop is a budding superstar. Contact and speed has never been an issue, but now he’s developing more power.

He’s hitting an unsustainable but ridiculous .406 with just seven strikeouts in 34 plate appearances vs. left-handed pitchers this season. 

Rangers southpaw Andrew Heaney is mostly a fastball-slider pitcher and he’s really starting to lose his “good stuff” at this point of his career.

There are several factors working in Abrams’ favor Wednesday, including:

• The Nationals being guaranteed ninth-inning at-bats as the road team.
• His threat to steal bases; he has seven thefts in nine attempts this season.
• The opposing pitcher; Heaney, who has a 5.02 xFIP and an ERA of 6.26, is striking out just 21.6% of hitters this season, his worst mark in almost a decade.

In this matchup, Abrams should be able to get the job done on Wednesday.

Jose Altuve to hit a home run (+425, BetMGM )

Astros vs. Guardians, 8:10 p.m. ET

Yordan Alvarez’s name will get clicked on the most when it comes to home-run props for the Astros (and for good reason), but I like Wednesday’s odds and matchup for Altuve.

Triston McKenzie is not only pitching with a torn ligament in his elbow, he’s actually throwing surprisingly well. 

Learn all you need to know about MLB Betting

• Read about the Best Baseball Betting Sites
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But he’s still a fly-ball pitcher who’s had a few cupcake matchups with the Athletics and White Sox this season. 

McKenzie is throwing his four-seam fastball about 60% of the time, and Altuve owns a 14% barrel rate, with a team-leading .444 ISO against them dating back to the beginning of 2023.

In a much smaller 2024 sample size, he’s absolutely crushing four-seamers, with a 26% barrel rate and a solid 39% fly-ball rate.

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2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson predictions, expert picks, odds, field rankings, golf best bets at TPC Craig Ranch

The pga tour returns to the lone star state this week as the latest full-field event takes center stage.

A busy stretch of golf continues on the PGA Tour this week as players travel to TPC Craig Ranch for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Taking to the par-71 layout for the fourth time in tournament history, players should expect ideal scoring conditions and plenty of birdies with a winning score potentially approaching 30 under.

Last year, it was Jason Day who emerged victorious as the Australian jumped back into the winner's circle for the first time in over five years. Now, he hopes to become the first golfer since K.H. Lee in 2022 to defend his Byron Nelson title

Day leads a large international contingent which includes Adam Scott, Min Woo Lee, Sungjae Im and a couple of Dallas-area residents in Tom Kim and Si Woo Kim. The Kims aren't the only local flavor to be making a tournament appearance; native Texan Jordan Spieth will also be in the field.

Spieth enters the Byron Nelson, a tournament where he made his PGA Tour debut as a high schooler many moons ago, without a ton of form. While the game has been tough for him, Spieth should relish the opportunity to play on home soil, especially since he nearly won this event a couple years ago. 

While two weeks still separate players from the second major championship of the season, the CJ Cup Byron Nelson will represent the last call for preparation for some as next week's Wells Fargo Championship welcomes a limited field to Quail Hollow for a signature event.

2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson schedule

Dates:  May 2-5 |  Location:  TPC Craig Ranch — McKinney, Texas Par:  71 |  Yardage:  7,414 |  Purse:  $9,500,000

2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson field, odds

• Jordan Spieth (14-1): The hometown kid has come close to taking down the Byron Nelson but has yet to add this trophy to his mantle. Spieth has found a little juice ever since the tournament transitioned to TPC Craig Ranch; he notched a top 10 in his first go around and finished runner-up to K.H. Lee in 2022. What he does this time is anyone's best guess as his form has been lackadaisical and his wrist has been nagging him. In his last seven starts, Spieth has one top 10, three missed cuts and a disqualification. He needs to find something in his game and fast.
• Si Woo Kim (16-1)
• Jason Day (20-1): The defending champion has been hit-or-miss since claiming his second Byron Nelson crown. While he has a number of quality results over the last year, Day has struggled with some consistency and arrives at TPC Craig Ranch looking to find something in his iron play specifically. The former world No. 1 has lost strokes on approach in four of his last five starts but has been buoyed by a strong effort from the putter. If he hopes to keep up in this birdie barrage, Day will need to squeeze more out of those scoring clubs.
• Adam Scott (22-1)
• Byeong Hun An (25-1)
• Alex Noren (25-1)
• Min Woo Lee (25-1): It hasn't been the best first full season on the PGA Tour for Lee, but he has flashed signs. He comes into Texas off a quality Masters start where he hit his driver brilliantly and found a little something with the irons. If those clubs continue to cooperate, Lee should have his way with the wide-open nature of TPC Craig Ranch. He's missed only one cut in 2024 but only has one top 20 -- a runner-up finish at the Cognizant Classic in early March.
• Sungjae Im (28-1): Im has been experiencing a difficult start to 2024, but he may be back on the upward trajectory following a quick trip to his native South Korea. The 26-year-old snatched a victory on the Korean Tour and continued a mini spurt of solid play that includes a T12 at the RBC Heritage. His game sets up well for TPC Craig Ranch, but between four straight weeks of action and worldwide travel, it may be a difficult ask.
• Tom Hoge (28-1)
• Tom Kim (28-1): Kim looks to be trending towards the type of player who picked off three early wins in his PGA Tour career. His iron play shined at Augusta National where he finished with a final-round 66, and he carried this over to Hilton Head where he finished T18. This marks Kim's third appearance in this tournament after finishing T17 in his debut and T34 a season ago.

2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson expert picks

Who will win the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, and which longshots will stun the golfing world?  Visit SportsLine now to see the projected leaderboard and best bets , all from the model that's nailed 11 golf majors and is up more than $9,000 since June 2020.

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2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson predictions, expert picks, odds, field rankings, golf best bets at TPC Craig Ranch

The pga tour returns to the lone star state this week as the latest full-field event takes center stage.

A busy stretch of golf continues on the PGA Tour this week as players travel to TPC Craig Ranch for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Taking to the par-71 layout for the fourth time in tournament history, players should expect ideal scoring conditions and plenty of birdies with a winning score potentially approaching 30 under.

Last year, it was Jason Day who emerged victorious as the Australian jumped back into the winner's circle for the first time in over five years. Now, he hopes to become the first golfer since K.H. Lee in 2022 to defend his Byron Nelson title

Day leads a large international contingent which includes Adam Scott, Min Woo Lee, Sungjae Im and a couple of Dallas-area residents in Tom Kim and Si Woo Kim. The Kims aren't the only local flavor to be making a tournament appearance; native Texan Jordan Spieth will also be in the field.

Spieth enters the Byron Nelson, a tournament where he made his PGA Tour debut as a high schooler many moons ago, without a ton of form. While the game has been tough for him, Spieth should relish the opportunity to play on home soil, especially since he nearly won this event a couple years ago. 

While two weeks still separate players from the second major championship of the season, the CJ Cup Byron Nelson will represent the last call for preparation for some as next week's Wells Fargo Championship welcomes a limited field to Quail Hollow for a signature event.

2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson schedule

Dates:  May 2-5 |  Location:  TPC Craig Ranch — McKinney, Texas Par:  71 |  Yardage:  7,414 |  Purse:  $9,500,000

2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson field, odds

• Jordan Spieth (14-1): The hometown kid has come close to taking down the Byron Nelson but has yet to add this trophy to his mantle. Spieth has found a little juice ever since the tournament transitioned to TPC Craig Ranch; he notched a top 10 in his first go around and finished runner-up to K.H. Lee in 2022. What he does this time is anyone's best guess as his form has been lackadaisical and his wrist has been nagging him. In his last seven starts, Spieth has one top 10, three missed cuts and a disqualification. He needs to find something in his game and fast.
• Si Woo Kim (16-1)
• Jason Day (20-1): The defending champion has been hit-or-miss since claiming his second Byron Nelson crown. While he has a number of quality results over the last year, Day has struggled with some consistency and arrives at TPC Craig Ranch looking to find something in his iron play specifically. The former world No. 1 has lost strokes on approach in four of his last five starts but has been buoyed by a strong effort from the putter. If he hopes to keep up in this birdie barrage, Day will need to squeeze more out of those scoring clubs.
• Adam Scott (22-1)
• Byeong Hun An (25-1)
• Alex Noren (25-1)
• Min Woo Lee (25-1): It hasn't been the best first full season on the PGA Tour for Lee, but he has flashed signs. He comes into Texas off a quality Masters start where he hit his driver brilliantly and found a little something with the irons. If those clubs continue to cooperate, Lee should have his way with the wide-open nature of TPC Craig Ranch. He's missed only one cut in 2024 but only has one top 20 -- a runner-up finish at the Cognizant Classic in early March.
• Sungjae Im (28-1): Im has been experiencing a difficult start to 2024, but he may be back on the upward trajectory following a quick trip to his native South Korea. The 26-year-old snatched a victory on the Korean Tour and continued a mini spurt of solid play that includes a T12 at the RBC Heritage. His game sets up well for TPC Craig Ranch, but between four straight weeks of action and worldwide travel, it may be a difficult ask.
• Tom Hoge (28-1)
• Tom Kim (28-1): Kim looks to be trending towards the type of player who picked off three early wins in his PGA Tour career. His iron play shined at Augusta National where he finished with a final-round 66, and he carried this over to Hilton Head where he finished T18. This marks Kim's third appearance in this tournament after finishing T17 in his debut and T34 a season ago.

2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson expert picks

Who will win the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, and which longshots will stun the golfing world?  Visit SportsLine now to see the projected leaderboard and best bets , all from the model that's nailed 11 golf majors and is up more than $9,000 since June 2020.

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Don't forget the Kentucky Derby undercards. Ed DeRosa's picks for May 4 at Churchill Downs

The Kentucky Derby . It really is the total package. It’s the pinnacle achievement for thoroughbreds, the people who take care of them and the people who bet on them. The chance of a lifetime for those involved in racing horses also presents the chance for the score of a lifetime for those who bet on horses. 

Of course, the Kentucky Derby begets Kentucky Derby Day — a 14-race crucible with some of the top racehorses all running in support of the world’s greatest horse race. Let’s have a day!

Race 1: 5-1-6

No. 1 Evan On Earth is sure to get a lot of play here given all three of his races he’s finished behind Kentucky Derby starters. But at twice the price I have to side with No. 5 Lou’s Legacy, who should have some pace to run into here and will be a square number for connections the Derby crowd is not going to be as familiar with. 

Race 2 picks: 6-5-3

Similar vibe to the first race in that I like an in-form horse off the pace. Unfortunately, we’re not going to get near the price on No. 6 Scylla as I expect on the aforementioned Lou’s Legacy. This is a filly, after all, who went off favored against the likes of Julie Shining. The wheel back on about two weeks’ rest is interesting for Racing Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, but she is better than these and gets the right set up. No. 3 Joke Sisi or No. 5 Gunesh could be the ones to blow things up odds wise if Scylla does no running.

Race 3 picks: 11-6-2

No. 11 Mindframe, a $600,000 Maryland-bred, ran off the screen at 11-to-10 on debut against 10 others on Florida Derby Day at Gulfstream Park. That is an incredibly impressive effort on such a big day, and clearly the word was out given the price against a nearly full field. This one — while Triple Crown nominated — is likely out of time for the Preakness and Belmont Stakes, but this is a potential future star.

Race 4 (Knicks Go Stakes) picks: 7-6-1

If either No. 1 Strong Quality or No. 6 Best Actor were in here separately, they’d be extremely tough to oppose. But the presence of both speedballs makes me try for the mild upset with No. 7 Kupuna, who can stay in touch with the leaders before getting the jump on the closers. 

Race 5 (Twin Spires Turf Sprint Stakes) picks: 8-4-6

Talk about a mad dash for cash on the sod! Seventeen entered, but only 14 can go in this turf sprint. There is actually not a lot of front-end speed here, and even though No. 8 Mischief Magic closed from last to be runner-up in his stateside debut last out, I actually think he can set the pace here based on Brisnet pace ratings. If jockey Frankie Dettori gets aggressive then he’ll be tough to catch.

Race 6 (Derby City Distaff) picks: 7-10-1

Wish I had a clear sense of which of these will actually go off the longer price because that would be my pick. Even though she’s the morning-line favorite, I expect No. 7 Alva Starr to be longer than No. 10 Vahva. The former will look to sit and kick away from her primary adversary, and we’ll take a shot that her first move against these is best. No. 1 Three Witches could save ground and spice things up late behind the obvious pair.

Race 7 (Churchill Distaff Turf Mile Stakes) picks: 3-10-6

I tried to beat No. 3 Chili Flag when she was favored against 10 others last out in a stakes at Gulfstream and paid the price. That was a super sharp effort, and 4-to-1 is a fair price to bet that she replicates it because if she does she’ll be tough to hold off as the winner. No. 7 Evvie Jets might be the one Chili Flag has to collar late, and it’s not impossible that she can get brave at a nice number.

Race 8 (Pat Day Mile) picks : 7-11-12

This is our best bet of Kentucky Derby week, as No. 7 Who Dey is too good a colt to pass up at 10-to-1 off that impressive runner-up finish in the Lafayette Stakes. He made the best middle move of his career in that race then stayed on with a strong closing kick that — while no match for the winner — portends well for improvement here. No. 11 Vlahos was awesome on debut and steps way up here but maybe he forgets to stop. No. 12 Nash has never been less than 2-to-1 in six career starts. Talent very clearly there but at a short price I’ll play against on top.

Race 9 (American Turf Stakes) picks: 5-6-7

Connections pointing for this race enjoyed seeing Jeff Ruby Steaks winner Endlessly opt for the Kentucky Derby, as he would have been a prohibitive favorite here. Instead, we get a super competitive race featuring Fierceness’ workmate Agate Road, who is likely to take money off that buzz. But 5-to-1 from the 14 hole is a no fly zone for me. No. 5 Legend of Time merits strong consideration by virtue of only the aforementioned Agate Road has run par for this group, and we know these connections can win with these types of horses.

Race 10 (Churchill Downs Stakes) picks: 4-11-2

Maybe a little price opportunity here with No. 4 Mr. Wireless, who perhaps found a home sprinting after cutting back in distance and dropping out of stakes company last out to run off the screen. The waters get deep here in Grade 1 company, but at 6-to-1 I’ll take my chances that what we saw last time was the beginning of a reimagined career sprinting. No. 11 Hoist the Gold returns to one-turn races, and he is the primary danger at a shorter price.

Race 11 (Old Forester Turf Classic) picks: 6-11-1

No. 6 I’m Very Busy looked like he was shot out of a cannon when winning the Muniz Memorial presented by Horse Racing Nation last out. I just don’t know who can run with him. These are the types of races trainer Chad Brown and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. seldom disappoint. No. 1 Integration is better than his last two suggest, but he catches a tough post against these. The form continues to darken, and we’ll catch this one at a price next time perhaps. No. 11 was second to stablemate Master of the Seas, who would be odds on in here, but just don’t think he’s as good as I’m Very Busy. Will need to play him in a straight Oaks-OldFo-Derby Pick 3, though, because then I’d have 11-11-11.

Race 12 (The Kentucky Derby) picks: 11-7-7

If I had a dollar for every time I swore I’d never bet a UAE Derby horse in the Kentucky Derby, I wouldn’t have to bet to make rent. But those dollars never came even as the UAE Derby horses continue to do so. From 19 tries since 2000, no UAE Derby starter has finished in the superfecta. It’s a legit angle because it makes sense with the quick turnaround and long travel. But No. 11 Forever Young is different. This is the fastest horse to come from Dubai based on Ragozin Speed Figures, and his trainer has shipped to the U.S. to win Grade 1 races before. Maybe he’s not good enough. Maybe the ship is too much for him. But 8-to-1 on an undefeated colt with the second-fastest figures in a race for a barn that shows it can ship internationally is good enough for me. If No. 17 Fierceness runs back to his Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, or Florida Derby, it’s lights out. No one can beat a repeat of either of those races. No. 7 Honor Marie is my longshot key. He had an excuse in the Risen Star when his final workout did not go according to plan, and the Louisiana Derby showcased his talent while hinting at more to come.

Race 13 picks: 9-2-7

Speaking of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, No. 9 General Partner tried the big boys and finished a not-awful sixth after setting the pace ahead of Fierceness. Now he cuts back to seven furlongs and gets Lasix.

Race 14 picks: 3-1-6

What a week! Thanks for following along. Hopefully whatever happens here is the cherry on top of great wagering, or maybe helps you climb out of a hole. We’ll play for a mile upset with No. 3 Gun Party, who’s cutting back to a one-turn mile — a configuration I see as a tall order for No. 1 Dive Bomber to return off a layoff to an in-form Asmussen runner.

L.A. Phil names Kim Noltemy as president and CEO

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The Los Angeles Philharmonic has named Kim Noltemy its new president and chief executive. Noltemy will assume the role July 8, leaving Dallas Symphony Assn., where she has served as president and CEO since 2018. She takes over from interim CEO Daniel Song after L.A. Phil chief Chad Smith decamped for the Boston Symphony last fall.

Noltemy’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for the L.A. Phil, which must find someone to take the reins as the organization’s music and artistic director when Gustavo Dudamel leaves for the New York Philharmonic in 2026 . Dudamel is a towering figure of classical music and his loss likely will ricochet across the organization, requiring a steady hand to right the ship and continue leading the organization down the path that, until now, has made it perhaps the most-admired orchestra in the country.

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Dec. 20, 2023

For the record:

2:04 p.m. May 1, 2024 An earlier version of this article misreported Kim Noltemy’s start date. She assumes the new role on July 8.

Noltemy told The Times she’s excited to work alongside Dudamel during his remaining time with the orchestra, and to head up the hunt for a new music director.

“I’m just over the moon thinking about how exciting developing the new vision will be with the music director and the board and the team,” she said.

Noltemy said she has not yet been briefed about the search for Dudamel’s replacement but that it was likely still in “relatively early stages.” She’ll be looking for someone who has “a tremendous number of ideas and vision,” as well as an “understanding of what it’s like to be in an urban environment” like L.A. and the need to serve its many diverse audiences, including getting young people interested and invested in classical music.

“The L.A. Phil deserves an incredible musical genius,” she said.

Noltemy hopes to build on the L.A. Phil’s current achievements and history of innovation to help it reach even greater heights. “There are so many ways that we can make music integral to people’s lives,” she said. “And I would say that this institution is able to do things, dream about things and make them all happen ... and so this will be the next chapter.”

L.A. Phil’s 2024-25 lineup (Dudamel’s penultimate season) includes Mahler, a Seoul Festival and more John Williams

The L.A. Phil announced its 2024-25 season lineup, which includes Mahler Grooves, a Seoul Festival, John Williams, Gabriela Ortiz, Zubin Mehta and more.

March 5, 2024

The L.A. Phil was among the few arts organizations in the city to emerge relatively unscathed from the tumult and damage of the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s not to say it didn’t suffer mightily — having at one point lost an estimated $100 million in projected income. But by 2023, the orchestra’s board chairman told The Times it would end the year with record sales and income of $160 million.

Like Smith at the L.A. Phil, Noltemy guided the Dallas Symphony Orchestra through the pandemic. During her tenure with the organization, she was committed to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives that were credited with expanded programming as well as increased opportunities for BIPOC artists and staff. Prior to her time in Dallas, Noltemy worked for more than two decades with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, where she ultimately served as chief operating and communications officer.

“I look forward to welcoming Kim into our L.A. Phil family. Our extraordinary musicians and organization have shown the world a powerful new vision for what an orchestra can be, and how it can impact the community around it, and I am confident we will continue to push ourselves to even greater heights in the years to come,” said Dudamel in a news release.

More to Read

Why the search for the next Gustavo Dudamel is full of hope — and hazards

April 12, 2024

Klaus Mäkelä, just 28, to become Chicago Symphony Orchestra music director in 2027

April 3, 2024

Esa-Pekka Salonen’s departure in San Francisco is a wake-up call for arts groups nationwide

March 20, 2024

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Jessica Gelt is an arts and culture writer for the Los Angeles Times.

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