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Sainz pips record-chasing Verstappen to pole at Italian GP

MONZA, Italy: Carlos Sainz Jr. was enjoying a perfect birthday weekend so far after he secured pole position for the Italian Grand Prix to the delight of the Ferrari tifosi on Saturday. Thousands of red-clad Ferrari fans cheered as Sainz, who turned 29 on Friday, crossed the line 0.013 seconds quicker than runaway Formula One leader Max Verstappen, who is chasing a record 10th straight victory on Sunday. “Tell me we have it, tell me we have it,” Sainz yelled into race radio after beating Verstappen’s time on his final flying lap. The roars from the grandstands should have confirmed it. It was his fourth career pole and first since Austin last year.

Italian GP | 'Goosebumps!': Top 3 drivers reflect on 'intense qualifying', Tifosi gets Leclerc love

Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc gave the Ferrari faithful something to cheer about as they secured a 1-3 in qualifying for Sunday's Italian Grand Prix.

Germany, Slovenia, US and Lithuania make World Cup quarterfinals

OKINAWA: Luka Doncic and Slovenia are headed to the World Cup quarterfinals. So are the US, Germany and Lithuania. Out of the mix: Olympic bronze medalist Australia. Half of the World Cup quarterfinal field is now set, after those four nations won their opening second-round games Friday to secure spots in the knockout round.

Saudi Cup winners back in action on King Faisal Cup Day

TAIF: Commissioner King, last year’s G3 Saudi Derby winner, returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 2, on a high-profile day of racing at King Khalid Racecourse in Taif, which includes two SR1 million ($266,000) Listed contests, the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Cup and the King Faisal Cup for purebred Arabians. Commissioner King, the FMQ Stables-owned gelding, won three of his four starts last season, culminating in the $1.5 million Saudi Derby, and lines up under regular rider Luis Morales in the 1,600-meter SR500,000 Taif Cup, presented by Boutique Group, one of four valuable Taif Cup races on the day. Speaking about Commissioner King’s win in the Saudi Derby, owner Faisal Mohammed Al Alqahtani said: “It was a historic night; a night that I’ll never forget.” Explaining the preparation Commissioner King has had ahead of his seasonal return and the plans for the campaign ahead, he added: “We have a special program for him.