David Carr practiced again Thursday, but Carolina coach John Fox still held off naming him the starting quarterback ahead of Vinny Testaverde for Sunday’s game against Indianapolis. Fox said Carr, who has been slowed by a compression fracture in his lower back, responded well to consecutive practices.
David Stern acknowledged Thursday that more than half of his 56 referees had violated NBA policies about casino gambling, but said none will be punished because he felt the rules were outdated. Instead, Stern said he is altering the policies, leaning toward allowing referees to gamble in casinos during the offseason — except for betting in sports books.
Detroit Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey had surgery on his broken left hand Thursday and is expected to be out for about six weeks. The rookie from Eastern Washington injured his hand in Detroit’s final exhibition game Wednesday night. He averaged 12.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.3 steals in eight games.
Andrew Bogut has a sprained left wrist, the Milwaukee Bucks said Thursday after the 7-foot center had more tests to determine the severity of the injury. Bogut left the Bucks’ exhibition game at Denver on Tuesday night in the third quarter. X-rays after the game were negative, and an MRI exam on Wednesday revealed no broken bones or other serious problems.
TWO MORE NO SHOWS: Attila’s Storm and Dixie Chatter were scratched from their respective Breeders’ Cup races early Thursday morning.
By Neil Morrice Special to PA SportsTicker
Jeremy Noseda has voiced concerns over the ground at Monmouth Park for his Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf hope Strike the Deal in Friday’s $1 million two-year-old mile contest.
Smokey Stover and jockey Aaron Gryder have a history of success at Monmouth Park. That track record could be a key to victory Saturday in the $2 million Sprint, one one of 11 Breeders’ Cup races at Monmouth this weekend. Gryder has ridden at Monmouth countless times, including the mount for Smokey Stover’s win in the Icecapade Stakes here on Sept.
Todd Pletcher is hoping for a better Breeders’ Cup than last year. After failing to reach the winner’s circle with a record 17 horses in the 2006 Breeders’ Cup at Churchill Downs, the nation’s leading trainer is back for another try, this time with 11 horses in six of the 11 Breeders’ Cup races at Monmouth Park this weekend.
All the action from the final round of the 2007 Grand Prix season.
