Coming off of a historic year for racing in 2015, it was going to be hard for 2016 to live up to what we experienced last year. But somehow, 2016 managed to not only keep the momentum of last year going, it built upon the energy generated by American Pharoahs magical Triple Crown and Breeders Cup sweep.This year saw the making of new stars and the reinforcement of the legendary status of others. On this Thanksgiving week, lets take a look back at what we were most thankful for in racing this year.Emergence of New StarsEach year brings with it the excitement of a fresh 3-year-old crop and anticipation over whether any of the contenders has what it takes to make a serious Triple Crown bid. Although Nyquist dominated his division earlier in the year, he couldnt maintain it later in the year as new stars emerged; tops among them was Breeders Cup Classic winner Arrogate.Arrogate became the story in racing for the second half of the year after running down potential Horse of the Year California Chrome. But even before that, Arrogate put up a performance for the ages in the Travers Stakes at Saratoga. Hard-pressed throughout the early stages of the race, Arrogate was still able to kick clear to a 13-1/2-length victory while smashing the track record.Other emerging stars who showed flashes of greatness in 2016 were Sentient Jet Breeders Cup Juvenile hero Classic Empire and Bob Bafferts new sprinting star Drefong. We were thankful to watch them break out this year and eagerly await whats in store for them in 2017.Miracle of Lady EliPerfection. Thats what Lady Eli stood for through the first six races of her career, from late 2014 to July 4 of last year when she cruised to victory in the Belmont Oaks. Sadly, following that race she stepped on a nail and developed laminitis in both of her front feet. The disease could have ended her life, ignoring entirely what it might have meant for a racing career that started with so much promise.As 2016 progressed, word spread that Lady Eli was making a miraculous recovery and was doing well as she trained for an improbable return to the races. In late August, Lady Eli did indeed come back and bravely battled to a second-place finish in the Ballston Spa at Saratoga. If that wasnt remarkable enough, the filly returned in October to win the Flower Bowl at Belmont. She capped off her return run with another impressive second-place finish in the Breeders Cup Filly and Mare Turf.We were thankful just to see Lady Eli make it through her battle away from the track. In a lot of ways, her race results didnt even matter. Yet the fact that she returned and excelled only made her story more incredible.Consistency of ChromeWith the aforementioned retirement of American Pharoah, racing fans were desperate for a star to stand by in 2016 -- they found it in California Chrome. While some dismissed Chromes 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness run as a fluke (given his extremely modest pedigree), the California-bred chestnut already had a large following of Chromies behind him before he even raced this year. Once he hit the track, he gave his faithful fans even more to cheer about.Chrome was nearly perfect in 2016. After winning the San Pasqual Stakes at Santa Anita in January, he cruised to victory next out in a handicap in Dubai and then capped off the early part of his year with a dominant performance in the Dubai World Cup. After a four-month break, Chrome came back as sharp as ever, winning three more races highlighted by a five-length win over Beholder in the Pacific Classic.California Chrome took our breath away, time and time again, in 2016 -- and were thankful for it.Battle for the AgesGoing into the Breeders Cup Distaff, the level of hype was immeasurable for the anticipated showdown of then-undefeated champion filly Songbird and the three-time champion older mare Beholder. Although it was unimaginable when they entered the gate for the Distaff, the race managed to somehow exceed expectations.Songbird, facing older and battle-tested horses, continued to make it look easy as she glided to the lead right from the break. With her mind-boggling high cruising speed, there was no one who could, or perhaps even wanted to, keep up with her. When Beholder was asked to run down Songbird, she tried, and then she tried some more. Eventually, Beholders class was on full display as she caught up with her younger foe. From there, the battle to the wire was nothing short of epic.The only shame, from a storytelling perspective, was that the race didnt end in a dead heat -- it might have perhaps symbolized the truest of torch-passings from Beholder to Songbird. Still, there was nothing that could be taken away from Songbird, and there was something quite special about seeing a mare like Beholder go out on top in her final career race.While were talking fillies and mares, lets not forget the incredible performances posted by other ladies this year, including Tepin, Catch a Glimpse, Miss Temple City and Cavorting, to name a few.The People StoriesWhile these sometimes get lost, we are ever grateful for the people who put on the show and who make the incredible sport of racing run. From the backstretch workers to the racetrack employees and outriders to the jockeys and horsemen who are up early every single day, we are thankful. Were also thankful for all of the Thoroughbred aftercare organizations who make sure that so many horses have a place to live and a purpose once their careers on the track come to an end.From jockey Anne Von Rosens recovery from a severe riding accident to Simon Brays courageous battle with multiple myeloma, there are so many others who amazed, astonished and overcame in 2016. We are thankful for them and for all of the people who give everything they have to put on the best show possible on daily basis. Were thankful for the horse bettors, those who keep us fashionably aware and those who know how to make the most of a day at the races. We certainly enjoyed many unforgettable race days in 2016 -- and theres still some time left in the year to make some more memories.For more stories like this check out Americas Best Racing. 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Even with a big weekend awaiting, Rhode Island coach Dan Hurley doesnt think his No. 21 Rams will have trouble focusing on Wednesday nights Hall of Fame Tip-off game against Brown at Kingston, R.I.Thats Brown, a longtime local rival.We know what it is when we play Brown, Hurley said after the Rams disposed of Marist 107-65 on Monday night.The Bears of the Ivy League are 1-1 in this early season, losing to now-rated Cincinnati before opening their home season with a win over Niagara on Sunday behind Steven Spieth with a career night of 27 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.(Brown coach) Mike (Martin) ... and the job he does with those guys in terms of how hard it is to play, how hard-nosed they are, their ability to shoot the ball and spread you out, said Hurley. Theyre playing pretty small. Every time weve played them its been a hell of a game.Last year, the Rams, dressing only seven scholarship players, pulled out an 88-85 victory over the Bears. URI has won four straight, 13 of the last 14 and 18 of the last 20, leading a series that started in 1909-10 by 104-53.Last years OT game should be more than enough for URI to stay focused on Brown -- even with a date with No. 24 Cincinnati and then quite possibly No. 1 Duke over the weekend at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut waiting. Duke faces Penn State on Saturday with the winners and losers pairing off the next day.Brown plays Albany and Marist in the tournaments other bracket at the same location.ddddddddddddOur team can score the basketball, said Martin. We play at a pretty good pace and we have a lot of guys that can make plays.No one made more of them Sunday than Spieth, who came within one assist from becoming only the third Ivy Leaguer to record a triple-double. Dartmouths Ian McGinnis (2000) and Browns Jason Forte (2004) are the others.Spieth, a senior, hit only four baskets (on nine tries) but went 19-for-22 from the foul line in his career game. Obi Okalie scored 15 points and grabbed five rebounds and freshman Joshua Howard scored all 14 of his points in the first half.Im happy with todays win, Martin said after the game. We put in a lot of hard work in the off-season and it paid off today with a victory. We did enough defensively and got to the free-throw line.And get to 1-1 before URI.Ive gotten to know Mike over the last couple of years, hes an excellent coach, Hurley said. He will have his guys ready on Wednesday and we need to have the right mindset in that game.The Rams have dealt with sluggish defensive starts in each of their two games but had no trouble waking up in plenty of time -- upping their non-conference record on their Ryan Center home floor to 74-25. They have won 13 of their last 15 and 22 of their last 26 non-league games at home. 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