Gameplan

• WATCH
Kentucky Derby
He's an Eclipse Award--winning trainer, but Todd Pletcher has never won the Run for the Roses. Maybe this is the year. Pletcher did produce the unlikely Belmont winner Rags to Riches, who in 2007 became the first filly to win the race since 1905. On Saturday (NBC) his colt Dunkirk tries to become the first horse since 1882 to take the Derby after not racing as a 2-year-old.

• WATCH
Hatton vs. Pacquiao
How can you tell Manny Pacquiao is one of the world's best fighters? His 48-3-2 record, his recent WBC lightweight belt ... and now a bobblehead in his likeness. The San Francisco Giants honored Pacquiao with a giveaway on April 21. It was a promo for his light welterweight bout on Saturday in Las Vegas (HBO PPV), where he will try to turn Ricky Hatton into a bobblehead.

• ADMIRE
The Cardinals' plumage
Many a team has bonded over the growth of facial hair, but St. Louis has a novel theme: anything goes. Rick Ankiel has a classic '70s 'stache. Jason LaRue has a Fu Manchu fit for Charlie Finley's A's. And Ryan Franklin and Jason Motte appear to have been signed off the old House of David barnstorming team. It's working: The Cards lead the NL Central.

• READ
Breaking the Slump
Every golfer hits rough patches; the good ones find a way out. NBC's Jimmy Roberts asked many of the best—including Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Phil Mickelson—how they handle slumps; the result is an enjoyable book, solace to anyone who has hit into a lake. There are celebs here too, including George H.W. Bush. No, the slump he discusses is not the '92 election.

• FOLLOW
An assault on Everest
Right now most 17-year-olds are searching for the courage to line up a prom date. Johnny Strange of Malibu, Calif., has something bigger in mind: He's trying to become the youngest American to climb Everest. Strange has already summited five of the seven tallest peaks; he wants to be the youngest to conquer all. Read his ascent blog at strangeoneverest.com.

• CELEBRATE
May Day
Friday is May 1, a traditional spring celebration and what passes for Labor Day in much of the rest of the world. So let's give Aaron Maybin, the Penn State defensive end whom the Bills drafted at No. 11 last Saturday, a proper send-off to his NFL career and hope the fifth month is kinder to Marlins outfielder Cameron Maybin, who was hitting .189 with 22 K's in 53 at bats at week's end.

The Pop Culture Grid
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