Day: August 23, 2007

Greg’s Gold wins O’Brien ‘Cap; Crossing the Line wins Del Mar MileGreg’s Gold wins O’Brien ‘Cap; Crossing the Line wins Del Mar Mile

Greg’s Gold accelerated in the stretch turn, passed pacesetter Bordonaro, then held off Surf Cat by 1 1/2 lengths to win Sunday’s $300,000 Pat O’Brien Handicap at Del Mar. Crossing the Line won the $400,000 Del Mar Mile by three-quarters of a length over Becrux. Both winners earned guaranteed spots in the Breeders’ Cup as part of a new selection process.

SuperSonics fill out Carlesimo’s staffSuperSonics fill out Carlesimo’s staff

The Seattle SuperSonics added Scott Brooks, Mark Bryant and Ralph Lewis to their coaching staff Thursday and hired Brian Keefe as a player development assistant. “I’m really happy with the diverse coaching and playing experience of our staff,” new coach P.J. Carlesimo said in a statement. “I know it will be an extremely hard working staff, and we’re all really looking forward to continuing the…

Rays beat BoSox’s Matsuzaka for 3rd timeRays beat BoSox’s Matsuzaka for 3rd time

Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka throws in the first inning of a 2-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in a baseball game on Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007, in St. Petersburg, Fla.

B.J. Upton made the most of a rare mistake from Dice-K. Upton hit a two-run homer and Tampa Bay beat Daisuke Matsuzaka for the third time this season, as the Devil Rays edged the AL East-leading Boston Red Sox 2-1 on Wednesday night. “A lot of his pitches look the same,” said Upton, who had struck out four times and was hitless in seven previous at-bats against the Japanese right-hander.

Padres lose Young, but Peavy beats MetsPadres lose Young, but Peavy beats Mets

San Diego Padres' Trevor Hoffman pitches during the ninth inning of the Major League Baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007 at Shea Stadium in New York. Hoffman was credited with the save and the Padres beat the Mets, 7-5.

Jake Peavy stepped off the mound and escaped to his own little island. While the crowd got revved up, he tried to settle down and envision a perfect sequence of pitches. Pretty neatly done. Prone to becoming overly excited, Peavy escaped an early bases-loaded jam and went on to lead the San Diego Padres to what he called a “must win,” beating the New York Mets 7-5 Wednesday night.

NAACP head: Vick ‘is not a victim’NAACP head: Vick ‘is not a victim’

Falcons quarterback Michael Vick “is not a victim” and should be held responsible for his actions involving a dogfighting ring in Virginia, the national president of the NAACP said Thursday. “He absolutely must account for what he has done,” Dennis Courtland Hayes, interim president and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said in an interview with The Associated…

Lady Joanne beats Octave, Lear’s Princess down stretch in $500,000 Alabama StakesLady Joanne beats Octave, Lear’s Princess down stretch in $500,000 Alabama Stakes

Lady Joanne fought off Octave and Lear’s Princess in a tough stretch run to win Saturday’s $500,000 Alabama Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. Ridden by Calvin Borel and trained by Carl Nafzger, Lady Joanne held off the closing Lear’s Princess and a late run from Octave, who could not get up in time on the rail.

Sharp Susan wins $150,000 Lake Placid Stakes at SaratogaSharp Susan wins $150,000 Lake Placid Stakes at Saratoga

Sharp Susan won the $150,000 Lake Placid Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, leading wire-to-wire at Saratoga Race Course. Off to a good start and unpressured around the Mellon turf course, the daughter of Touch Gold ran 1 1-8 miles in 1:46.69 under Kent Desormeaux. New Edition finished second, 1 1/2 lengths back, and Lady Attack was third.