Auerbach resigns from CHRB

Madeline Auerbach, vice chairman of the California Horse Racing Board, resigned from the board Monday amid calls from Gov. Gavin Newsom to eliminate conflicts of interest from the panel.

Auerbach, a prominent California thoroughbred owner and breeder, was appointed to the CHRB in 2014 by Gov. Jerry Brown. Her resignation was announced Wednesday.

She was expected to be the new chairman until Newsom said he was pulling away from appointing members with “direct conflicts” to the board in favor of a “more objective oversight capacity.” He made those remarks to New York Times reporters last month.

The Los Angeles Times reported in August that Auerbach had a business relationship with Tim Ritvo, chief operating officer of the Stronach Group, which owns two race tracks in California.

They were co-owners of a horse named Fravel, named after the Breeders’ Cup chief executive who is now CEO of the Stronach Group.

Detroit Pistons guard Khyri Thomas had surgery on his right foot and will be out at least six weeks .... Hawks guard Kevin Huerter is returning to Atlanta after injuring his left shoulder in a victory over Denver . ... The Brooklyn Nets signed Iman Shumpert, adding the veteran guard to their roster with Wilson Chandler on the NBA’s suspended list.

Ohio State star defensive end Chase Young will be held out of one more game as punishment for breaking NCAA rules by accepting a personal loan.

Hall of Fame catcher Mike Piazza says he has agreed to become manager of Italy’s national baseball team.

Roberto Luongo, the retired goaltender who is the Florida Panthers’ all-time leader in wins and shutouts, has agreed to become a special advisor to general manager Dale Tallon.

David Beckham’s new MLS team will play its first home match against his former club. Inter Miami officials announced that the club’s home debut will be March 14 against the Galaxy.

Matt Tifft has parted ways with Front Row Motorsports to focus on his health after suffering a seizure at the track last month. Tifft felt ill before practice at Martinsville Speedway.