Sports briefs
HORSE RACING
Minor fracture in hind leg sidelines Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom has a small fracture to the cannon bone in his left hind leg that will sideline the Kentucky Derby winner for several weeks. Team Valor International said in a statement Thursday that the colt's leg was scanned at New Bolton Research Center in Kennett Square, Pa., after he finished sixth following a troubled trip in the Belmont Stakes.
Early in the race, Animal Kingdom stumbled and nearly fell after clipping heels with Monzon in a chain reaction begun by Isn't He Perfect.
Veterinarians believe Animal Kingdom will be sound in about two weeks, though there is the danger that the crack will become a larger fracture.
Dr. Larry Bramlage said: "When he hit the ground with such force in the accident, he overloaded the bone and this is the result.
"It's not a major thing. The good news is that this should not cost him the entire season. I would hope that he would be able to return to training in a matter of weeks.''
The face of the Mavericks laughed, sang and even seemed to tear up. For Dirk Nowitzki, the only thing that could come close to being a first-time NBA champion was celebrating it with fans in his adopted hometown.
An estimated crowd of 250,000 crammed downtown Dallas for a parade. After waiting 31 years to win the title, fans exulted in a way that many said was worth the delay.
Nowitzki was the unquestioned star of the show, drawing the loudest cheers -- usually chants of "M! V! P!"
Coach Rick Carlisle said, "You're looking at the best basketball team on the planet. It's also very clear we have in our presence the greatest basketball player on the planet."
TENNIS
Venus loses tuneup
Venus Williams lost to Daniela Hantuchova, 6-2, 5-7, 6-2, in the quarterfinals in Eastbourne, England. She exited Eastbourne a day after her sister, Serena Williams, lost but still was pleased with her Wimbledon preparation. Both are back after long injury breaks. Venus played her first event in five months since retiring with hip and abdominal injuries during the Australian Open. Serena Williams was out nearly a year because of foot surgeries and blood clots in her lungs.
Source: Wild hires Yeo
A person with knowledge of the decision said the Minnesota Wild has hired Mike Yeo as coach. He will replace Todd Richards.-- AP
Most Popular
Top Stories
