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After Market wins $250,000 Del Mar Handicap on the turfAfter Market wins $250,000 Del Mar Handicap on the turf

August 27, 2007| 12:20

After Market defeated Runaway Dancer by three-quarters of a length to win Sunday’s $250,000 Del Mar Handicap. Ridden by Alex Solis, After Market covered 1 3-8 miles on the turf in 2:13.01 and paid $2.80, $2.20 and $2.20 as the 2-5 favorite. Solis won the race for the third time in five years. Runaway Dancer returned $5.40 and $3.80, while Spring House was another nose back in third and paid $4.60 to…

Japanese horses unlikely to travel to Australia for Melbourne Cup because of equine influenzaJapanese horses unlikely to travel to Australia for Melbourne Cup because of equine influenza

August 27, 2007| 12:20

Australia’s richest and most important horse race will likely be without its Japan-based defending champion and runner-up due to the equine influenza outbreaks in both countries. The news that last year’s winner, Delta Blues, and runner-up, Pop Rock, will probably not travel to Australia for the Nov.

Sosa’s hits 605th HR, Rangers beat M’sSosa’s hits 605th HR, Rangers beat M’s

August 27, 2007| 10:19

Sammy Sosa hasn’t forgotten his trademark hop or how to hit the ball deep, even though he’s getting fewer chances to do it. Sosa, who has become a part-time player while Texas evaluates younger players, bounded out of the batter’s box after hitting a 430-foot, two-run home run in the first inning that put the Rangers ahead to stay in a 5-3 victory over AL wild-card leader Seattle.

Cardinals defeat struggling Braves 4-1Cardinals defeat struggling Braves 4-1

August 27, 2007| 10:19

Adam Wainwright has dominated most of his foes since the All-Star break. He’s been especially tough on the team from his home state. Wainwright, who is from St. Simon, Ga., beat Atlanta for the second straight start with seven sharp innings, Juan Encarnacion homered and the St. Louis Cardinals handed the Braves their fifth loss in six games, 4-1 on Sunday.

Falcons face franchise-altering dayFalcons face franchise-altering day

August 27, 2007| 9:29

This is one of those landmark days, a dividing line that will forever define the history of the Atlanta Falcons. Never mind that it’s only the preseason. On Monday morning, Michael Vick will walk into a federal courtroom in Richmond, Va., to plead guilty to gruesome dogfighting charges, which will almost certainly end his Falcons career and could prevent him from playing again in the NFL.

Champion jockey Russell Baze suspended for whip use on horse that later diedChampion jockey Russell Baze suspended for whip use on horse that later died

August 27, 2007| 9:19

Russell Baze, the winningest jockey in thoroughbred racing history, was suspended for 15 days and fined on Sunday for using his whip on an injured horse who later died. Baze, who has 9,826 career victories, was headed to an easy win aboard Imperial Eyes in the first race Thursday at Bay Meadows when the horse took a bad step and broke down in the deep stretch.

Maryfield Wins $250,000 Ballerina StakesMaryfield Wins $250,000 Ballerina Stakes

August 27, 2007| 9:19

Maryfield nosed out Baroness Thatcher on Sunday to win the $250,000 Ballerina Stakes and get her first Grade 1 victory at Saratoga Race Course. Mayfield had not won a race since November 2006, when she took the Very Subtle stakes at Churchill Downs. She now has eight wins from 27 starts for trainer Doug O’Neill.

Young’s 2 early homers lift ArizonaYoung’s 2 early homers lift Arizona

August 27, 2007| 7:19

The Arizona Diamondbacks are in first place despite giving up 32 more runs than they’ve scored. For clues to how the Diamondbacks have done it, see their 5-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday afternoon. Arizona spotted the Cubs a 3-0 first-inning lead, rallied behind two Chris Young home runs and then hung on with three superb fielding plays in the late innings.

Angels’ Escobar wins career-high 15thAngels’ Escobar wins career-high 15th

August 27, 2007| 7:19

The Blue Jays didn’t have enough bargaining power to keep Kelvim Escobar in Toronto when he became a free agent after the 2003 season. The Los Angeles Angels did, and they’ve been reaping the benefits ever since. Escobar recorded his career-high 15th victory, Garret Anderson homered and the Angels beat the Blue Jays 3-1 on Sunday to earn a split of the four-game series.

Giants rally, complete sweep of BrewersGiants rally, complete sweep of Brewers

August 27, 2007| 7:18

The Brewers’ continued slump has left manager Ned Yost speechless. Pedro Feliz scored from first base on Rich Aurilia’s single to right field in the eighth inning, lifting the San Francisco Giants to a 5-4 victory over Milwaukee on Sunday and completing a three-game sweep. “The way we’ve been playing right now, we need to find ways to be a better team,” Yost said.