Who's Hot Who's Not

WHO'S Hot

Philadelphia
They've got the first-place Phillies, and they've got the Soul. The Arena footballers are 12--3, have scored 933 points (that's mad, even by AFL standards) and, led by receiver Chris Jackson (above, the guy has 48 TDs!), are nearing a National Conference title. Coach Bret Munsey to South Jersey's Courier-Post: "I'm just so proud.... They play 100 miles per hour on every play."

Curlin
Horse of the Year! Again? The 2007 winner has kept his flawless form in '08, dominating the Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs three months after cruising in the $6 million Dubai World Cup. That's $9.36 million in career winnings (third alltime) and, perhaps, a showdown with Big Brown at the Breeders' Cup.

Dady
Seizing his moment. The mononymical striker (O.K., it's Eduardo Fernando Pereira Dady, but no one ever calls him that) scored on a penalty shot on Sunday—yep, Daddy's Day—as Cape Verde Islands won 1--0 in a 2010 World Cup qualifier. Dady's team is now 2-0-1 trying to reach its first Cup.

Holly Holm
The Preacher's Daughter (her nickname, and it's true) will punish you for your sins. Ask middleweight Mary Jo Sanders (25--1), whom Holm (22-1-2) bullied for 10 rounds to win the IFBA title.

Kansas City
They've got the last-place Royals; they've got the last-place MLS Wizards ("The league is too good," griped coach Curt Onalfo, after a mistake-filled loss); and they've got the Brigade. The AFLers are 3--12 after blowing an 11-point, second-half lead to L.A. on Sunday. That puts new QB Quincy Carter (above, remember him, Cowboys fans?) at 0--2 since coming on board.

Bailey
He keeps getting creamed. Reds righthander and 22-year-old superprospect Homer Bailey lost his third straight start since being called up from Triple A. Now a return to the minors may be in the offing. Bailey's ERA is 8.76, and his name is looking apt: He's allowed six homers in just 12 1/3 innings.

Petr Cech
Blowing his chance. Had he led the Czech Republic to the Euro soccer title, it might've been renamed the Cech Republic. Instead the goalie let in three goals in 15 minutes—one after fumbling a cross—as Turkey won 3--2. A month ago Cech, tending for Chelsea, lost the Champions League to Man U.

Brad Penny
Maybe the MRI he was to have on his shoulder will explain his five straight losses. After falling last Saturday, the Dodgers' putative ace offered his two cents' worth: "I'm not doing the team any good."