Baffert seeks 10th win in Haskell with Taiba

OCEANPORT, N.J. » While trainer Bob Baffert isn’t welcome at every thoroughbred track around the country, Monmouth Park has no problem letting the Hall of Famer bring his horses to New Jersey.

After all, the $1 million Haskell Stakes is being run Saturday at the Jersey Shore track, and no one has dominated this first major post-Triple Crown test for 3-year-olds more than Baffert.

Baffert has won the Haskell a record nine times. He also trains Taiba, the morning-line favorite to make it 10, when he takes on seven rivals in the 1 1/8 mile race.

Baffert, 69, returned to racing earlier this month after serving a 90-day suspension handed down by the Kentucky Racing Commission related to the disqualification of Medina Spirit in the 2021 Kentucky Derby. He is still barred from tracks in New York and Kentucky.

New Jersey only honors suspensions issued by racing stewards at individual tracks, so Baffert is welcome to train and enter horses at Monmouth.

Laporte wins Stage 19

CAHORS, FRANCE » Christophe Laporte ended the host’s drought of stage winners when he surged out of the peloton in the finale of the 19th stage and claimed his maiden win on the Tour de France.

Just two days before the race ends in Paris, Laporte spared the blushes for French riders who had not tasted a victory all month. Only twice in race history has France not produced a stage winner, in 1926 and 1999.

There was no significant change in the general classification. Jonas Vingegaard had an overall lead of 3 minutes, 26 seconds over defending champion Tadej Pogacare.

Henderson shoots another 64

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, FRANCE » Brooke Henderson is setting the pace in record-breaking style at the Evian Championship.

The Canadian shot a second straight 7-under 64 to take a three-stroke lead after the second round of the fourth major of the year on Friday.

She is the first player in the history of the U.S. LPGA to begin a major with two rounds of 64 or lower.

Nelly Korda is the only player in the 132-woman field within four shots of Henderson.

Blue Jackets re-sign Laine

Patrik Laine signed a long-term deal to stay with the Columbus Blue Jackets, completing the final major item on their checklist to cap off a successful offseason.

The winger re-signed for four years and $34.8 million, a contract that carries an $8.7 million salary cap hit through 2026. The deal allows Columbus to keep the high-scoring winger even after adding top free agent Johnny Gaudreau.

The Blue Jackets made room for Laine by trading forward Oliver Bjorkstrand to Seattle for a third- and a fourth-round pick in the 2023 draft.

McMahon says he is retiring

World Wrestling Entertainment impresario Vince McMahon announced he is retiring amid an investigation into alleged misconduct involving the flamboyant showman who turned a small wrestling company into a worldwide entertainment business.

In a brief statement issued by WWE, McMahon said he is retiring as the company’s chairman and CEO. He noted that he remains its majority shareholder.

“At 77, time for me to retire. Thank you, WWE Universe. Then. Now. Forever. Together. #WWE #thankful,” he wrote on Twitter.

Clarke has two-shot lead

GLENEAGLES, SCOTLAND » Chasing a maiden senior major title, Darren Clarke opened a two-shot lead at the Senior British Open after the second round at Gleneagles Friday.

Clarke, from Northern Ireland, shot a 3-under 67 that left him alone on top of the leaderboard, at 8 under. Scott Parel of the United States was two back after an up and down 68.

Sweden into semifinals

LEIGH, ENGLAND » Sweden broke down Belgium’s dogged resistance with a goal in the second minute of stoppage time to win 1-0 on Friday and set up a semifinal against host nation England in the Women’s European Championship.