Derby winner Rich Strike won’t run in Preakness
Rich Strike will not run in the Preakness Stakes on May 21 after his major upset to win the Kentucky Derby, keeping horse racing from having a Triple Crown winner for a fourth consecutive year.
Owner Rick Dawson said in a statement: “Our original plan for Rich Strike was contingent on the KY Derby, should we not run in the Derby we would point toward the Preakness, should we run in the Derby, subject to the race outcome & the condition of our horse, we would give him more recovery time & rest and run in the Belmont, or another race and stay on course to run with 5 or 6 weeks rest between races.”
Rich Strike, at 80-1, was the biggest long shot to win the Derby in more than a century.
The plan now is to have Rich Strike ready to run in the Belmont Stakes in New York on June 11.
NBA PLAYOFFS
Butler leads Heat to East finals
Jimmy Butler scored 32 points as he sent the Heat into the Eastern Conference finals with a 99-90 victory over the host 76ers on Thursday night in Game 6.
The Heat reached the conference finals for the second time in three seasons, again with Butler leading the charge. He scored 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting in the third quarter when the Heat used a 16-2 run to take control.
Joel Embiid scored 20 points for the 76ers on 7-of-24 shooting.
◆ Luka Doncic had a game-high 33 points with 11 rebounds and eight assists and the host Mavericks beat the Suns 113-86 to force a Game 7 in the Western Conference semifinals.
The home team has won all six games, none with a final margin closer than seven points.
HOCKEY
Wolves roll to start Calder Cup playoffs
The Wolves reeled off four goals in eight minutes on the way to a 6-2 victory over the Rockford IceHogs in Game 1 of the Central Division semifinals at Allstate Arena.
Up 2-1 after the first period, the Wolves delivered three goals in a 10-minute stretch in the second period. Stefan Noesen led the Wolves with two goals.
◆ Brayden Point scored on a rebound with 1:56 remaining in overtime, giving the host Lightning a 4-3 victory over the Maple Leafs and forcing Game 7 in the first-round playoff series between the Atlantic Division rivals.
◆ Brad Marchand scored one goal and assisted on another, and Jeremy Swayman stopped 23 shots to lead the host Bruins past the Hurricanes 5-2 and send their first-round series to a decisive seventh game.
MLB Astros top Twins for 10th win in row
Luis Garcia and three relievers combined on a seven-hitter, Yordan Alvarez homered twice as the Astros extended their winning streak to 10 games with a 5-0 victory and a three-game sweep over the host Twins.
◆ Phillies star Bryce Harper, limited to designated hitter duty of late, has a small tear in his right UCL and will not throw a baseball for four weeks.
MISCELLANEOUS Munoz shoots record second 60
Sebastian Munoz shot a 12-under 60 in the opening round of the Byron Nelson to become the first player in PGA Tour history with two rounds of 60 or better in the same season. Munoz holds a four-stroke lead over defending champion K.H. Lee, Mito Pereira, Peter Malnati and Justin Lower.
◆ Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy was arrested on a misdemeanor charge after a dispute with his girlfriend at their suburban Denver home and he was being held at the Arapahoe County Jail.