http://http://www.kentucky.com/sports/index.xml News, sports, and entertainment from Kentucky.com en-us Copyright 2009 Kentucky.com Sports 60 Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:21:07 EDT http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss McClatchy Interactive's Workbench interactive-ops@herald-leader.com http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/858150.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/858150.html Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:19 EDT
The Mavericks, Raptors, Grizzlies and Magic combined in a massive swap Thursday that included eight players, a draft pick and stacks of cash. The deal sent Shawn Marion to Dallas, Stackhouse to Memphis and helped seal the transaction that moved Hedo Turkoglu from Orlando to Toronto.

Among the other pieces: Forward Kris Humphries, center Nathan Jawai and cash went from Toronto to Dallas; guard Greg Buckner moves from Memphis to Dallas; and swingmen Antoine Wright and Devean George go from Dallas to Toronto.

Memphis also received a second-round pick and cash from Toronto and cash from Dallas. The Mavericks and Raptors both also sent cash to Orlando.

The Magic were going to lose Turkoglu anyway. After Orlando acquired Vince Carter, Turkoglu opted out of his contract and became a free agent. He'd already decided to go to Toronto, but turning his departure into a sign-and-trade glued together the rest of this complex puzzle.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/858263.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/858263.html Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:08 EDT
FOOTBALL

National Football League

CINCINNATI BENGALS Signed FB Fui Vakapuna, seventh-round pick out ofBrigham Young.

Auto racing ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/856883.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/856883.html Fri, 10 Jul 2009 06:58 EDT
During a weekend in late May, the football program hosted recruits who walked through a refurbished tunnel that simulated the entrance onto the Williams-Brice Stadium field. The tunnel had 2001 piped in, along with a smoke machine.

The re-enactment was never intended for recruits, according to the school, and no longer will be part of recruiting tours. Nevertheless, USC had to report it as a secondary violation.

According to USC, the incident fit the NCAA s definition of a secondary violation: inadvertent and isolated; basically, an innocent mistake.

But a few events at other schools have been perceived to be more flagrant violations of NCAA rules and yet are still classified as secondary violations.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/858264.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/858264.html Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:16 EDT
Trainer Bob Baffert said the injury was discovered at Santa Anita on Sunday morning when the 3-year-old son of Empire Maker came off the track.

A scan determined a small hole in a tendon. While there's a chance the horse could have returned to racing in 6-8 months, there was no guarantee that he would remain healthy. Baffert advised owner Ahmed Zayat it wasn't worth the risk.

"It's devastating," said Baffert. "I'm still in denial. He's a star. He put me back on the Triple Crown map."

Pioneerof the Nile became one of the Derby favorites by winning four straight prep races in California. All of those wins including the Santa Anita Derby came over synthetic surfaces, but he remained a solid third choice behind Friesan Fire and Dunkirk in the mud at Churchill Downs.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/858177.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/858177.html Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:48 EDT
Bolt's two key rivals — former world record-holder Asafa Powell and world champion Tyson Gay — will go head-to-head in the 100 meters at the Stadio Olimpico before all three line up at the World Championships in Berlin next month.

“We've been talking about beating Usain since the Olympics,” Powell said of Bolt's triple-gold and world record performances in the 100, 200 and sprint relay. “He ran 9.69 (in the 100), so it's going to take faster than 9.69 to beat him.”

Bolt recorded an impressive 200-meter performance under the rain in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Tuesday, clocking 19.59 seconds — only one-hundredth of a second slower than what Gay ran in May with fair weather and a breeze at his back.

“I watched the race. It was pretty good considering the conditions — rain, wind in the face, the cold,” Gay said Thursday. “He looked pretty good.”]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/856999.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/856999.html Thu, 09 Jul 2009 06:39 EDT
Jayson Werth hit a solo homer for the NL East-leading Phillies, who are 5-1 since losing 14 of 18.

Reliever Ryan Madson (3-4) tossed two scoreless innings to earn the win in his longest outing this season. The pitching-starved Phillies may have lost another starter because Rodrigo Lopez left with right shoulder inflammation after five solid innings.

Pedro Feliz led off the bottom of the ninth with a single off David Weathers (1-2). After Paul Bako popped up a bunt and pinch-hitter Eric Bruntlett flied to right, Jimmy Rollins walked. Victorino, one of the candidates for the final roster on the NL All-Star team, followed with a liner to left-center that scored Feliz.

The Phillies beat the Reds 22-1 on Monday night, but they have managed just six runs since handing Cincinnati the most lopsided loss in franchise history.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/856436.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/856436.html Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:48 EDT
The 37-year-old Texan is second overall, but about to face his toughest test in this year's Tour as the grueling three-week race arrives in the Pyrenees mountains.

"That's my question mark, that's your question mark, that's everybody's question mark," Armstrong said. "But we don't have to wait long until we'll find out, that's the good thing."

Armstrong is again eliciting fear among his rivals after an astute move that earned valuable time over his rival and teammate Alberto Contador, plus an impressive show at the team time trial.

He couldn't be in a better position before heading into the mountains. But a lurch Friday in Arcalis, Andorra - the finish of the first of three Pyrenean stages - would bring him back down to earth.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/857097.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/857097.html Thu, 09 Jul 2009 06:50 EDT
The four-day, stroke-play tournament will move to Lakeside Golf Course on Friday, the Gay Brewer Jr. Golf Course at Picadome on Saturday and Kearney Hill Links on Sunday.

Cale Barr, the 2008 champion, will not play because he has since turned pro.

There are plenty of contenders to succeed Barr, though.

Jordan Blann, the Kentucky State Amateur champion, is entered. So are four past champions: Buddy Bryant (1992, '94, '95, '99) John Kartheiser (1996, '98, 2007), Brian Burton (2005) and Adam Legate (2006).]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/857094.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/857094.html Thu, 09 Jul 2009 06:47 EDT
Phelps headed to world championships after two wins

Michael Phelps removed his goggles, tore off the two caps he was wearing, tossed them on the deck and turned around to check the scoreboard. He scowled upon seeing the time in yellow lights next to his name. As expected, the 14-time Olympic gold medalist racked up his second victory of the night at the U.S. national championships Wednesday. It just wasn't up to his exacting standards. Phelps won the 200-meter butterfly in 1:52.76, well off his world record of 1:52.03 set in Beijing.

Earlier, Phelps won the 200 freestyle, and his two victories earned him a trip to the world championships in Rome later this month, fulfilling the wish of his mother Debbie , who had said she wanted to visit the Eternal City.

"I'm happy with where I'm at all things considered, but I'm really happy with a best time," he said.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/857093.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/857093.html Thu, 09 Jul 2009 06:53 EDT
THIS WEEK

NASCAR SPRINT CUP

LifeLock.com 400

Where: Joliet, Ill. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/857098.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/857098.html Thu, 09 Jul 2009 06:59 EDT
Henderson-based trainer John Hancock said the facility and barns are now closed. He's leased the facility since December from Cross International.

Hancock told The Gleaner in Henderson that uncertainty surrounding Ellis Park was a factor in his decision to close.

He said seven or eight other trainers were using the facility until Ellis Park opened its barns in May.

Ellis Park owner Ron Geary has said the track will almost certainly close at the end of this year's meet after a bill that would have permitted Kentucky racetracks to operate electronic slot machines failed in the legislature.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/855915.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/855915.html Wed, 08 Jul 2009 06:21 EDT
COLLEGE

GEORGETOWN Named Nick Griffin head volleyball coach.

Baseball

minor league]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/855929.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/855929.html Wed, 08 Jul 2009 06:09 EDT
The seven-time champion surged from third place to second at the Tour de France on Tuesday after his Astana squad won a team time trial in a dramatic finish.

Armstrong erased all but a sliver of his 40-second deficit behind leader Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland in the fourth stage. The only thing separating him from the yellow jersey is a fraction of a second.

Armstrong, 37, plotted strategy with star teammate Alberto Contador before the stage to maximize their day.

Astana was timed in 46 minutes, 29 seconds for the 24.2-mile ride in and around Montpellier. That was 18 seconds better than runner-up Garmin, and 40 seconds ahead of third-place Saxo Bank.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/855916.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/855916.html Wed, 08 Jul 2009 06:22 EDT
McNair's shooting probably murder-suicide, examiner says

Tennessee's state medical examiner said Tuesday that investigators have been hesitant to conclude that Steve McNair 's girlfriend killed the former NFL star and herself because she didn't appear to have a motive, but that murder-suicide is the most likely scenario. After the couple was discovered shot to death on Saturday, police were quick to label McNair's death a homicide. He had been shot twice in the head and twice in the chest, while 20-year-old Sahel Kazemi was dead from a single gunshot to the head. Under her body was a gun she had purchased less than two days before the killings. Investigators were waiting on ballistics tests on the weapon before issuing a ruling on Kazemi's death, which medical examiner Bruce Levy said could come in the next few days. Kazemi's gun purchase, which was revealed on Monday, is a strong indication that she was responsible, he said.

"If we had known on Sunday about the gun, I think we would have been very comfortable in ruling murder-suicide," he said. "I'll be very surprised now if they rule it isn't."

Stallworth admitted to drinking shots ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/853663.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/853663.html Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:09 EDT
The U.S. Tennis Association announced that Roddick wouldn't participate in this week's Davis Cup matches because he was hurt during his loss a day earlier to Roger Federer at the All England Club - a match that finished 16-14 in the longest fifth set in Grand Slam final history.

Roddick slipped and tumbled to the grass in the eighth game of the fourth set Sunday. He stayed down for a few moments, then rose, grimacing, and toweled off.

The 26-year-old American would go on to play for more than another 1 1/2 hours, finally succumbing when Federer broke him for the first time all match in the 77th and last game.

After the match, Roddick was asked whether he hurt himself in that fall, and he replied, "No. It was OK."]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/854139.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/854139.html Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:10 EDT
Switzerland's Fabian Cancellara of the Saxo Bank team narrowly kept the yellow jersey after the 24.2-mile ride in and around Montpellier.

Astana needed to beat Saxo by more than 40 seconds for Armstrong to take the overall lead. The seven-time champion started the stage in third place, and he and Astana exactly matched that 40-second deficit.

The Tour ends July 26 in Paris.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/854728.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/854728.html Tue, 07 Jul 2009 07:11 EDT
The star-crossed American tennis standout had just played the match of his life, had left his guts on Centre Court at the All England Club.

With nothing but heartache to show for it.

In spite of playing top-level tennis through five riveting sets, in spite of playing 30 games in the fifth and final set Sunday, Roddick had lost to Roger Federer again.

For the fourth time in a Grand Slam final.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/854734.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/854734.html Tue, 07 Jul 2009 01:47 EDT
NASCAR appeals ruling allowing Mayfield to compete

NASCAR asked a federal judge Monday to reverse the ruling that lifted driver Jeremy Mayfield 's indefinite suspension for failing a random drug test.

The motion filed in U.S. District Court asked Judge Graham Mullen to reverse the injunction he issued last Wednesday that cleared Mayfield to return to competition. NASCAR also filed notice of its intent to appeal to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va.

Mayfield was suspended May 9 for a failed drug test, and NASCAR has identified the substance as methamphetamine.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/854733.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/854733.html Tue, 07 Jul 2009 07:46 EDT
NASCAR

Sprint Cup Points leaders

1. Tony Stewart 2,719

2. Jeff Gordon 2,539]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/853553.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/853553.html Mon, 06 Jul 2009 01:53 EDT
Cavendish wins second stage; Cancellara maintains leads

Britain's Mark Cavendish won the second stage of the Tour de France on Sunday, with seven-time champion Lance Armstrong finishing safely in the trailing pack.

Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland kept the overall lead after capturing the opening time trial a day earlier. He leads Alberto Contador by 18 seconds. Armstrong is 10th, 40 seconds back.

Cavendish clenched his fists and smiled as he crossed the line just in front of runner-up Tyler Farrar of the United States and third-place finisher Romain Feillu of France.]]>