Knicks Go wins Breeders’ Cup Classic
DEL MAR, CALIF. » Knicks Go burst into the lead out of the starting gate and kicked away to a 2¾-length victory in the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday at Del Mar.
No one seriously pressed the colt, who earned his fourth straight victory and in the process solidified a bid to win the Eclipse Award as Horse of the Year.
“Speed is very dangerous,” winning trainer Brad Cox said.
Ridden by Joel Rosario, 5-yearold Knicks Go squared off against a trio of top 3-year-olds — controversial Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit, Belmont Stakes winner Essential Quality and hometown hero Hot Rod Charlie, whose ownership has San Diego ties.
“He broke really sharp,” Rosario said. “He looked like he was really enjoying what he was doing. I could see his ears, he was so relaxed.”
Sent off at 3-1 odds, Knicks Go paid $8.40 to win. Cox also saddled 9-5 favorite Essential Quality, who finished third.
Medina Spirit was second for embattled trainer Bob Baffert. The colt failed a post-race drug test after the Derby and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has yet to make a final ruling.
Larson tops Elliott for pole
AVONDALE, ARIZ. » Kyle Larson was the driver to beat all season in his comeback with Hendrick Motorsports. With only the NASCAR Cup Series championship race left, the three other contenders will chase Larson one more time.
Larson nipped defending champion Chase Elliott for the pole Saturday at Phoenix Raceway to make it a 1-2 front row for Hendrick Motorsports in the finale.
Hendrick and Chevrolet start with an early edge Sunday against Joe Gibbs Racing contenders Martin Truex Jr. and Denny Hamlin. Hamlin starts sixth in and Truex is 12th.
“Today we’re behind,” Truex said. “I don’t know that that guarantees tomorrow we’ll be behind.”
Hamlin sat stone-faced as he discussed JGR’s qualifying struggles
and deadpanned he was going to “rage” Saturday night to get ready for yet another championship race.
“I’ve locked myself in a hotel room before, nights before the finals,” Hamlin said. “That doesn’t work.”
JMU makes it official; Sun Belt is next stop
James Madison decided to pursue a move to the Sun Belt Conference despite being told by the Colonial Athletic Association that it will be barred from participating in CAA championships before its actual departure.
The Dukes’ withdrawal from the CAA is effective June 30, 2022, the CAA said.
In a statement released before the vote, James Madison President Jonathan Alger and athletic director Jeff Bourne said the CAA’s decision to ban the Dukes from competing for league championships in sports other than football “is completely contrary” to the ideals that stress student-athlete welfare.
Djokovic reaches final
PARIS » Novak Djokovic will end the year at No. 1 for a record seventh time after rallying to beat Hubert Hurkacz 3-6, 6-0, 7-6 (5) in the Paris Masters semifinals.
Djokovic, who also stays on course for a record-extending sixth Paris Masters title, moved one ahead of American Pete Sampras, who secured his six top yearend finishes from 1993-98.
The top-ranked Serb has also reached a record-extending seventh
final here, where he faces Russian Daniil Medvedev after losing to him in straight sets in the U.S. Open final two months ago. Second-seeded Medvedev routed No. 4 Alexander Zverev — the Olympic champion — 6-2, 6-2 .
Russia wins Cup
PRAGUE » Russia won both singles matches to defeat Switzerland 2-0 in the final of the Billie Jean King Cup to claim the trophy for the fifth time.
Liudmila Samsonova rallied to capture the decisive point with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Tokyo Olympics singles champion Belinda Bencic.
Hovland leads after 62
PLAYA DEL CARMEN, MEXICO » Viktor Hovland was hitting it so well he had no trouble taking on a big risk, and it paid off with a big finish for a 9-under 62 and a two-shot lead in the World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba.
Hovland, the defending champion at this Mexican resort, hit driver just over the green on the par-4 17th and hit a dart into the closing hole at El Cameleon for the lowest score of his PGA Tour career.
That gave him a two-shot lead over fellow Oklahoma State alum Talor Gooch (63), and he was three clear of Justin Thomas (64).
Matthew Wolff, who started the weekend with a two-shot lead, made a pair of bogeys early in his round to fall out of the lead and managed only one birdie in his round of 73 that dropped him out of contention.