Breakdowns — at least two of them fatal — marred a record slate of stakes races Saturday at Keeneland in which four horses earned automatic spots in the Breeders’ Cup. Teuflesberg, the 17th-place finisher in the Kentucky Derby, pulled up short in the Grade 3 Phoenix Handicap with fractures to both front legs.
The Cleveland Indians could end a few eras Sunday night. Roger Clemens could be taking the mound for the last time. Alex Rodriguez could be playing his final game in pinstripes. Joe Torre could be managing for his future with the New York Yankees. Ahead 2-0 in their best-of-five AL division series after swarming the Yankees at the Jake, the youthful Tribe could be starting a run of their own: The…
When the Pittsburgh Pirates last fired a manager this quickly, he couldn’t get his team into the World Series. Jim Tracy was let go because he didn’t produce anything resembling a winning season. Tracy was ousted Friday after two years filled with long losing streaks and little discernible progress by a team that has had 15 consecutive losing seasons, one short of the major league record.
Mets pitcher Tom Glavine declined his $13 million option with New York on Friday, making himself eligible for free agency. The 41-year-old lefty, who got his 300th win this year, gets a $3 million buyout in addition to his $7.5 million salary this year. “Tom has not had enough time to sufficiently think things through with his family and did not want to make a decision until he the opportunity with…
Finallymadeit beat Bow Out by 6 1/2 lengths Saturday in the $50,000 Hooting Star Stakes at Calder Race Course. Finallymadeit, ridden by Eduardo Nunez, ran 5 furlongs in 57.75 and paid $3.20, $2.60 and $2.10. Bow Out returned $5 and $2.10, and Tale of a Monster paid $2.10 to show.
Diamond Stripes took the lead in midstretch and then survived a foul claim by runner-up Magna Graduate’s jockey to win the $500,000 Meadowlands Cup by a half-length Friday night. Jockey John Velazquez claimed Diamond Stripes and jockey Cornelio Velasquez interfered at the top of the stretch, but the stewards at the Meadowlands Racetrack found nothing wrong.
Big Bad Leroybrown rallied to edge Lucky J.H. by 1 1/2 lengths Friday in the $56,200 at Santa Anita’s Oak Tree meeting. Ridden by Tyler Baze, Big Bad Leroybrown covered seven furlongs in 1:21.61 and paid $12.20, $4.40 and $3.20. Lucky J.H. returned $3 and $2.60 as the 13-10 wagering favorite, while Seminole Native was another head back in third and paid $7 to show.
Sebastian Loeb edged closer to world championship leader Marcus Gronholm after winning his third straight Catalunya Rally on Sunday. Gronholm leads the overall standings with 96 points, six more than Loeb, with four races to go. Citroen driver Loeb led from Friday’s first day to finish 13.8 seconds ahead of teammate Dani Sorda, taking the trophy with an overall time of 3 hours, 22 minutes, 50.5…
Vancouver’s power play was so good, even a 13-second man advantage was more than enough time for the Canucks to score. After Calgary Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf was sent off for hooking at 4:47 of overtime, the Canucks responded almost immediately with Daniel Sedin’s game-winner with 5 seconds left for a 4-3 victory.
Trainer Patrick Biancone was suspended for one year Friday by Kentucky racing officials for violations of horse medication rules, but he vowed to appeal. The suspension for Biancone, one of the nation’s top trainers, takes effect Oct. 15, and likely means he won’t be allowed to train horses anywhere in the United States because state racing regulators generally recognize actions from another state.
Country Star surged past four horses down the stretch Friday to win the Darley Alcibiades at Keeneland. With Rafael Bejarano aboard, the 2-year-old was running eighth in the field of 10 fillies at the three-quarter pole but took charge from there. “She just exploded,” Bejarano said. “I know the horse can do that because I’ve ridden her before.
Emma Carly edged Stilled by a neck Friday in the $55,000 allowance feature for fillies and mares at Belmont Park. Ridden by Channing Hill, Emma Carly ran seven furlongs on the firm turf course in 1:21.42. The 4-year-old improved her record to 2-for-5 for trainer Bill Mott. Emma Carly paid $8.40, $4.40 and $3.10.