07/04/2009 - Louisville, KY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Eclipse Award winning jockey Mike Smith has regained the mount on Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird. Smith has a two- race commitment to ride the gelding starting with the West Virginia Derby on Saturday, August 1.
Smith, who rode Mine That Bird in the Preakness Stakes, replaces Calvin Borel who was relieved of his duties when he could not commit to ride the three- year-old on August 1. Smith won the Eclipse Award as champion jockey in 1993 and 1994.
"I am looking for a rider that will fit my horse best," trainer Chip Woolley said on Friday. On Saturday, Woolley indicated that an announcement would be made Sunday morning.
Borel lost the mount on Mine That Bird because he agreed to ride Warrior's Reward in the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga on the same day as the West Virginia Derby. The Louisiana native has been the regular jockey for Warrior's Reward.
Following the Kentucky Derby victory, Borel switched to the filly Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness Stakes. Borel won the Preakness with the filly and then regained the mount on Mine That Bird for the Belmont Stakes. Borel and the gelding finished third in the final jewel of racing's Triple Crown. Smith picked up the mount on Mine That Bird for the Preakness and finished second, a length behind Rachel Alexandra.
After the West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Park, Mine That Bird's schedule of races will be the Travers at Saratoga on Saturday, August 29 and the Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Saturday, November 7 with the possibility of a race between the Travers and Breeders' Cup.
<< Woodward's ninth-inning hit sends M's past Sox
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chris Woodward knocked in the deciding run in
the ninth inning as Seattle clipped Boston, 3-2, in the middle
contest of three at Fenway Park.
Russell Branyan added a pair of RBI for the M
<< Owings homers, pitches Reds over Cardinals
Cincinnati, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Micah Owings tossed 6 2/3 strong innings
and hit his third home run of the year, lifting Cincinnati to a 5-2 victory
against St. Louis in the second of three games between these NL Central
rivals.
<< McGehee misses cycle, but his big day helps Brewers crush Cubs
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Casey McGehee finished with four hits, a double
short of a cycle, and drove in five to lead the Milwaukee Brewers to an 11-2
win over the Chicago Cubs.
Mike Cameron was 2-for-3 with a three-run homer and
<< Nats rally in the eighth off Braves bullpen
Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Adam Dunn hit his 300th career home run and
drove in the go-ahead run with an RBI single during a four-run eighth, as
Washington topped Atlanta, 5-3, halting the Braves' season-high win streak at
five ga
Yi shoots 61 for Jamie Farr lead >>
Sylvania, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Korea's Eunjung Yi fired a 10-under 61 and
took the third-round lead Saturday at the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic.
Yi holed out from the fairway for an eagle at No. 10 and collected eight
birdies in a flaw
McNair found dead >>
Nashville, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens
quarterback Steve McNair was found dead Saturday. He was 36.
At a brief press conference Saturday, Nashville police department public
affairs manager Don Aaron con
Nationals recall Bergmann; designate Colome for assignment >>
Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Washington Nationals recalled
right-hander Jason Bergmann from Triple-A Syracuse and designated reliever
Jesus Colome for assignment following Saturday's 5-3 win over the Braves.
Bergmann
Briscoe takes Watkins Glen pole for second straight year >>
Watkins Glen, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ryan Briscoe won the pole at Watkins Glen
International for the second year in a row after dominating Saturday's
qualifying for the Camping World GP at the Glen.
Briscoe posted a new track reco
Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.
"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."
Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.
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