http://http://www.kentucky.com/sports/index.xml News, sports, and entertainment from Kentucky.com en-us Copyright 2009 Kentucky.com Sports 60 Mon, 06 Jul 2009 08:20:15 EDT http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss McClatchy Interactive's Workbench interactive-ops@herald-leader.com 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.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/853552.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/853552.html Mon, 06 Jul 2009 01:53 EDT
nascar

sprint cup: coke zero 400

Saturday's race

At Daytona Beach, Fla. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/852604.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/852604.html Sun, 05 Jul 2009 02:40 EDT
But Mr. Sidney keeps taking steps toward justifying the high opinion his connections had of him from the start.

Though his pedigree suggests dirt would be his surface of choice, Mr. Sidney showed once again on Saturday it is the lush grass he relishes. The 5-year-old horse earned his second career graded stakes win when he surged past Inca King on the outside to win the Grade II Firecracker Handicap by 11/2 lengths over a yielding turf at Churchill Downs.

Out of the late Grade I-winning mare Tomisue's Delight a full sister to 2003 Horse of the Year Mineshaft Mr. Sidney scored his breakthrough win this April when he captured the Grade I Maker's Mark Mile on the turf at Keeneland.

After a failed dirt experiment in the Grade I Metropolitan Handicap where he finished 11th on May 25, Mr. Sidney's connections returned him to the turf, where he could show his true ability.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/852321.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/852321.html Sun, 05 Jul 2009 02:40 EDT
David Mutuse broke away from the lead pack 11/2 miles into Saturday's Bluegrass 10,000 and went on to win the 33rd annual footrace through Lexington.

A junior-to-be at Eastern Kentucky University, Mutuse made it 10 Bluegrass victories in a row for Kenyans. His older brother, James, started the streak in 2000, also winning in 2002, '04 and '06.

David Mutuse's winning time of 31 minutes, 25 seconds for the 6.2 miles made it 23 years since a Bluegrass winner broke 30 minutes. The last to do so was John Wellerding, who won in 29:36 in 1986. Mark Nenow set the course record of 29:14 in 1983.

Fellow Kenyan and EKU teammate Joseph Maina placed second, 19 seconds behind Mutuse, in 31:44.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/852332.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/852332.html Sun, 05 Jul 2009 06:58 EDT
Mastroianni, from New York City, grabbed the lead early and maintained it throughout the 33rd Bluegrass 10,000 on Saturday morning.

"I felt pretty good, I'm very happy with it," she said after the race. Before her finish time of 37 minutes, 5 seconds was announced officially, she said she knew it was one of her best 10K times and guessed it was her best.

"I looked behind me wondering if people were catching me, but I was lucky I guess," she said.

Finishing second among female runners behind Mastroianni was Cincinnati native Katie Hickey with a time of 37:26. University of Louisville runner and former Woodford County standout Kim Grieshaber was third in 38:07, followed by Lauren Arnold (38:20) and Colleen Cornelius (38:25), both from Lexington.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/852886.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/852886.html Sun, 05 Jul 2009 01:58 EDT
The duo rolled a 1,566, which topped the previous mark of 1,544 set in 2007 by Jonathan Masur of West Orange, N.J., and Jeffrey Butler of Garfield, N.J.

Edwards and Padilla rolled games of 542, 556 and 468. Padilla led the way with a 790 series, and Edwards rolled a 776.

The doubles mark was the third record to fall at this year's tournament. Ron Vokes of Racine, Wis., set the all-events mark with a 2,321, topping Stephen Hardy of Manchester, N.H., who rolled a 2,279 in 2002. Bo Goergen of Midland, Mich., rolled the highest singles score in tournament history 862 to top the old mark of 858 set in 2004 by John Janawicz of Winter Haven, Fla.

Edwards wasn't done after her record-breaking doubles performance. Her 300 in singles was the 30th perfect score at this year's event and the first this year by a woman.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/852885.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/852885.html Sun, 05 Jul 2009 01:58 EDT
Cancellara wins first stage; Astana has 4 riders in top 10

Seven-time champion Lance Armstrong went out early and put up a solid time in the opening stage of the Tour de France on Saturday, then was upstaged by Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland.

Cancellara finished the 9.6-mile time trial in 19 minutes, 32 seconds, beating 2007 Tour winner Alberto Contador by 18 seconds to capture the yellow jersey.

Contador, returning to the Tour for the first time since his victory, led four Astana riders into the top 10. Andreas Kloden of Germany was fourth, American Levi Leipheimer was sixth and rival Armstrong was 40 seconds back in 10th.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/852867.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/852867.html Sun, 05 Jul 2009 01:57 EDT
Venus pulled her close for a warm embrace, instead.

"I didn't think about Venus at all today. I just saw her as an opponent," said Serena, who also beat her sister in the 2002 and 2003 finals. "At one point, after the first set, I looked on the side of the court at the stats, and it was like 'Williams,' 'Williams.' I couldn't figure out which was which."

Serena leads her sister in Grand Slam titles (11-7), in head-to-head matches (11-10), and in all-Williams major finals (6-2).

Monday's rankings will say Serena is No. 2, and Venus No. 3 behind No. 1 Dinara Safina, a 6-1, 6-0 loser to the elder Williams in the semifinals but it is clear who the best woman in the world is at the moment.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/851781.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/851781.html Sat, 04 Jul 2009 07:26 EDT
"I'm happy for her to be in the final, but I have to face her and defeat her," Venus said after reaching her eighth final at the All England Club by routing top-ranked Dinara Safina 6-1, 6-0. "I don't necessarily want her to lose, but for sure I want me to win."

After their showdown, the sisters become teammates for the doubles final, where they are the defending champions.

Besides having won five Wimbledon singles titles, beating Serena in last year's final, Venus is trying to become the first woman to win three straight championships since Steffi Graf from 1991-93.

"Even if she's not playing her best, just that fight she has, you're facing that," Venus said. "So there's so much to face when you play her. It's definitely a lot to get your mind around."]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/851637.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/851637.html Sat, 04 Jul 2009 07:21 EDT
And now, after years of chasing Sampras, Federer is poised to surpass him.

A victory over No. 6-seeded Andy Roddick of the United States in Sunday's final at the All England Club would give Federer his 15th Grand Slam singles championship, breaking a tie with Sampras for the most in history. It also would give Federer a sixth Wimbledon title and a return to No. 1 in the rankings.

As it is, No. 2 Federer's overwhelming 7-6 (3), 7-5, 6-3 victory over No. 24 Tommy Haas of Germany in Friday's opening match on Centre Court put the Swiss star in a seventh consecutive Wimbledon final and 20th career Grand Slam final - establishing two other marks.

"I'm very proud of all the records I've achieved, because I never thought I would be that successful as a kid. You know, I would have been happy winning a couple tournaments and maybe collecting Wimbledon," the 27-year-old Federer said. "It's quite staggering."]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/851855.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/851855.html Sat, 04 Jul 2009 07:27 EDT
More importantly, the strapping chestnut colt demonstrated what a fast learner he is proving to be.

An awkward start and less than comfortable position throughout did not deter Backtalk from running down Flatter Than Me in the deep stretch to claim the Grade III Bashford Manor Stakes for 2-year-olds by a length in his second career outing.

For all the slight bumbles Backtalk incurred Friday, a lesser contender might not have been so keen to shrug off the adversity.

After stumbling at the start and racing just behind the leaders in midpack, the son of Smarty Jones had to bully his way in between Flatter Than Me and Grand Slam Andre in the stretch, turning almost sideways at one point before kicking home under jockey Miguel Mena to cover the distance in 1:11.08.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/851867.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/851867.html Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:09 EDT
CAMPS

July 6-8 Lexington Catholic general skills camp, $125. Kevin Clary, (859) 983-5252 or kclary@lexingtoncatholic.com.

July 13-15 Lexington Catholic hitting camp, $125. Kevin Clary, (859) 983-5252 or kclary@lexingtoncatholic.com. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/851857.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/851857.html Sat, 04 Jul 2009 01:57 EDT
Nash agrees to 8-year deal to stay with Blue Jackets

Rick Nash and the Columbus Blue Jackets have reached an agreement on an eight-year contract extension through the 2017-18 season. General Manager Scott Howson confirmed the signing to The Associated Press on Friday night. The Canadian Press first reported the signing, saying the deal is worth $62.4 million. Nash will make $7 million in 2009-10.

"Rick made a significant statement to Columbus and for Columbus in terms of how he feels about playing here," Howson said. "He loves Columbus; he never wanted to leave. That's what made me so optimistic all along that we could sign him to an extension."

Nash, who would have been an unrestricted free agent after next season, set career and team highs last season with his 79 points (40 goals, 39 assists) in 78 games in leading Columbus to its first trip to the playoffs in the franchise's eighth season. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/851885.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/851885.html Sat, 04 Jul 2009 01:58 EDT
The seven-time Tour winner has come out of retirement to ride in cycling's showcase. The three-week race starts Saturday in Monaco.

"The (doping) controls will be multiplied, and I tell Lance Armstrong that he will be particularly, particularly, particularly monitored," Sports Minister Roselyne Bachelot said Friday on French cable TV.

Armstrong, who has denied ever having taken banned substances during his cycling career, responded with a post on Twitter: "No worries, it's been this way for 10 years. I have nothing to hide."

ASSOCIATED PRESS]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/851884.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/851884.html Sat, 04 Jul 2009 01:58 EDT
Is it 26-year-old Alberto Contador, who will be wearing Astana's No. 1 when the Tour kicks off Saturday in Monaco?

Or is it Lance Armstrong, the 37-year-old seven-time winner who hasn't raced at the Tour since 2005?

That much-debated topic probably will continue to be the dominant subject until one rider establishes himself as the strongest, perhaps a week from now in the Pyrenees.

The Tour hasn't had such debate over a team leader since 1997, when defending champion Bjarne Riis ended up playing a secondary role and having to work for teammate Jan Ullrich, who won the race.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/851877.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/851877.html Sat, 04 Jul 2009 01:58 EDT
Where does Venus draw the line? At Grand Slam championships.

The sisters face each other again in a major final, meeting Saturday for the Wimbledon title for the fourth time.

"I'm happy for her to be in the final, but I have to face her and defeat her," Venus said after reaching her eighth finals at the All England Club by routing top-ranked Dinara Safina 6-1, 6-0. "I don't necessarily want her to lose, but for sure I want me to win."

After their showdown, the sisters become teammates for the doubles finals, where they are the defending champions.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/851862.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/851862.html Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:32 EDT
David Mutuse broke away from the lead pack 11/2 miles into Saturday's Bluegrass 10,000 and went on to win the 33rd annual footrace through Lexington.

A junior-to-be at Eastern Kentucky University, Mutuse made it 10 Bluegrass victories in a row for Kenyans. His older brother, James, started the streak in 2000, also winning in 2002, '04 and '06.

David Mutuse's winning time of 31:25 for the 6.2 miles extended to 23 years a streak since a Bluegrass winner broke 30 minutes. The last to do so was John Wellerding, who won the 1986 race in 29:36. Mark Nenow set the course record of 29:14 in 1983.

Fellow Kenyan and EKU teammate Joseph Maina placed second, 19 seconds behind Mutuse, in 31:44.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/851858.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/851858.html Sat, 04 Jul 2009 01:57 EDT
BASEBALL

National League

CINCINNATI REDS Placed INF Danny Richar on the 15-day DL. Activated 3B Edwin Encarnacion from the 60-day DL.

Auto racing]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/851845.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/851845.html Sat, 04 Jul 2009 01:56 EDT
Instead, the Andy who will take on Roger Federer at the All England Club on Sunday will be Andy Roddick, the huge-serving, still-improving American who, in one of the most significant victories of his career, put an end to Murray mania with a mature, tactically sound 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (5) victory.

"I had to play my best tennis out there to win today," the sixth-seeded Roddick said. "I can't say enough good things about Andy's game, but I can play some tennis sometimes. Not many people were giving me much of a chance at all. I knew if I could stay the course, I'd have a shot. That's all you can ask for."

Murray's compatriots were asking for much more from their new tennis icon. On Friday, they packed into Court 2 and onto the grassy knoll still known as Henman Hill to watch the semifinal on big-screen televisions. Millions more watched in pubs and in their homes in the hope that Murray could become the first British man since Bunny Austin in 1938 to reach the Wimbledon finals.

But Murray's remarkable, counterpunching game was not quite as lethal as usual, as Roddick put 75 percent of his first serves in play and cleverly picked his spots to attack instead of trying to batter his way past the lanky Scotsman on a point by point basis.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/851037.html http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/851037.html Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:34 EDT
And his answer, he said, is usually the same: They haven't, really.

"These kids come into my office, players, whether it's 55 years ago or last week, (a) player walks into my office, I look at him ... (it's the) same sweet kid," Bowden said recently during one of his spring booster tour stops. "Same sweet, innocent boy. You know it? Only his hair is longer. Or he's got earrings ... and he wears his underwear outside instead of inside.

"But he's still the same sweet kid (as) that kid I had 50 years ago."

Bowden's opinion notwithstanding, the philosophy and psychology of coaching the athletes of today has become a business the subject matter of instructional videos, coaching seminars and books. At the 2009 Nike football coaching clinic, held in Orlando in late February, Alabama's Nick Saban gave two speeches. ]]>