Sports

Inside post derails Orb in pressure-packed Preakness

John Clay and Lexington Herald Leader — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:50:04 +0000

BALTIMORE — The worst part wasn't so much that Shug McGaughey was disappointed for himself that Orb didn't win the Preakness. The worst part was the disappointment he felt for all those who wanted Orb to win the Preakness. "I felt the pressure because of that," said the trainer, standing on the Pimlico dirt track where just moments before his Kentucky Derby winner had finished a surprising fourth in the second leg of the Triple Crown. "I'm disappointed for them." Read more...

McGaughey unfazed, not overjoyed by No. 1 Preakness Post

Alicia Wincze Hughes and Lexington Herald Leader — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:03:07 +0000

BALTIMORE — Pretty much the last post position trainer Shug McGaughey would have wished for Orb heading into Saturday's Preakness Stakes was the inside rail in the nine-horse field. In what may be the bay colt's first downer in weeks, the No. 1 slot is exactly where the Kentucky Derby winner landed for the start of his quest to secure the second leg of the Triple Crown. True to his nature, McGaughey didn't flinch even as a smattering of groans cropped up around him. Read more...

Former Russellville Star takes Long Journey

Zach Greenwell and The Bowling Green Daily News — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:37:07 +0000

On the basketball court, Tony Key is a self-proclaimed monster. He bumps and bruises in the post. He talks some trash. He sometimes bickers with opponents, referees, teammates and coaches. The 6-foot-11-inch Key has embraced that intimidating persona since he was dominating the area hoops scene nearly 15 years ago at Russellville High School. But time, travels and tragedy have changed the big man. He’s back in Russellville, playing with the newly formed semi-professional Bowling Green Hornets, who play their home games at Russellville High School and are coached by his older brother, Otis. While his professional basketball aspirations are still strong, Key has become more reflective at age 31. The NBA was once within his reach, but he says he listened to all the wrong people and didn’t play with enough desire.

Princess of Sylmar Wins The Kentucky Oaks

Louisville Public Media — Sun, 05 May 2013 17:39:20 +0000

Princess of Sylmar is the 2013 Kentucky Oaks champion. With jockey Mike Smith aboard, the longshot filly surged down the stretch to win the race, overtaking second place finisher Beholder and Unlimited Budget, who came in third.

Orb Wins the Kentucky Derby

Louisville Public Media — Sun, 05 May 2013 17:37:28 +0000

Running on a slopping Churchill Downs track, Orb beat 18 other horses to win Kentucky Derby 139. Orb, ridden by Joel Rosario, started the race as the 5-1 favorite and caught up to the leaders as they approached the finish line.

O'Neill Seeking Derby Repeat With Goldencents

Louisville Public Media — Fri, 03 May 2013 15:18:57 +0000

Trainer Doug O’Neill will join some elite company if Goldencents wins the Kentucky Derby tomorrow. O’Neill is trying to become just the seventh trainer to win back-to-back Derbys. Last year, he trained I’ll Have Another to victories in the Derby and Preakness Stakes.

Five Years After Eight Belles' Death in the Kentucky Derby, Race-Related Fatalities Decline

Louisville Public Media — Fri, 03 May 2013 15:14:37 +0000

Trainer Larry Jones was riding high for 24 hours. In 2008, Jones’ Proud Spell won the Kentucky Oaks. In the Kentucky Derby, his entry was Eight Belles—a horse that became a focus of attention. She’d performed well in workouts, but she was also vying to become just the fourth filly to win the sports' most famous race in 134 tries.

Keeneland President's Sentimental Pick

Stu Johnson — Thu, 02 May 2013 21:10:46 +0000

It’s hard to go wrong with practical and sentimental picks for the 139^th running of the Kentucky Derby. Keeneland’s Bill Thomason made both today. In his first appearance before Lexington Rotarians as the track’s president, Thomason said his head goes with the morning-line favorite ‘Orb,’ but his heart favors ‘Charming Kitten.’

Kentucky Derby Marks Return of Jockey Gary Stevens

Louisville Public Media — Thu, 02 May 2013 20:33:29 +0000

This year’s Kentucky Derby will mark the return of jockey Gary Stevens to the starting gate. After seven years of retirement from riding, Stevens will be back in the irons aboard Derby starter Oxbow. The 50 year old Stevens says he began to feel the urge to return to the saddle about a year and a half ago, and became more serious about a comeback after starting a new training regimen. He says stepping away and working as an NBC racing analyst have given him a fresh perspective.

Kentucky Derby Post Draw This Afternoon

Louisville Public Media — Wed, 01 May 2013 18:43:08 +0000

A full field of 20 horses is expected for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby. The Derby post positions will be drawn later today. An unexpected addition to the field was announced yesterday when the owners of Giant Finish announced that he would run.

Dreaming of Julia Leads Field of 11 in Kentucky Oaks

Louisville Public Media — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:29:47 +0000

A field of 11 is set for Friday’s running of the 139th Kentucky Oaks. The post positions for the fillies-only race were drawn this morning at Churchill Downs. The early favorite, at 3 -1, is Dreaming of Julia, one of four Todd Pletcher-trained entries. Jockey John Velazquez will be aboard.

Record-Breaking Spring at Keeneland

Charles Compton — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 00:52:25 +0000

Just as Churchill Downs gears up for Derby Week, Keeneland wrapped up its spring meet. Both attendance at the Lexington track and the amount of cash wagered increased. Despite traffic complicated by major road repairs on US 60, overall attendance at Keeneland was up over three percent this spring, with over 278-thousand people enjoying a day at the races.

Three-Way Race Predicted in Bluegrass Stakes

Charles Compton — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:22:47 +0000

The maximum number of horses race Saturday in Keeneland’s Bluegrass Stakes. Post positions in the prep race for the Kentucky Derby were selected today in Lexington.

Third from the inside, morning line favorite “Uncaptured” starts the betting at 7-2. But, Keeneland Handicapper Mike Battaglia gave only a slight edge to the brown colt from Canada. Battaglia also see contenders in two Kentucky-breds, Java’s War and Rydilluc.

UofL Brings National Title Back Home to Kentucky

John Clay and Lexington Herald-Leader — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 15:55:43 +0000

After a season of some pretty bad basketball all around, this was 40 minutes of fun. After some ups and downs during the past 16 years, this was 40 minutes of Rick Pitino cementing his legend, becoming the first coach to win a national title at two different schools. After 12 months, it took just 40 minutes to bring the NCAA championship trophy right back to the commonwealth. Last year, Kentucky. This year, Louisville. Take that North Carolina. Take that Indiana. Take that all those other so-called basketball states. And Louisville had to earn the title, outlasting a young and talented Michigan team, superbly coached by John Beilein, that led the Cards by as many as 12 points in the first half before finally falling 82-76.

Louisville Cardinals Advance to National Championship Game

Louisville Public Media — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 18:15:54 +0000

The Louisville Cardinals advanced Saturday evening to the NCAA Tournament championship game, but not before getting a scare from the Wichita State Shockers. The overall No. 1-seeded Cardinals trailed by a point at halftime and through most of the second half to the No. 9 seed Shockers, but managed to come back as the game closed.

Louisville Cardinals Earn a Spot in the Women's Final Four

Louisville Public Media — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 18:51:09 +0000

The Louisville Cardinals women's basketball team pulled another upset Tuesday night to earn a spot in the Final Four. U of L topped the Tennessee Lady Vols 86-78 in Oklahoma City. In winning, the No. 5 seed Cardinals beat a better-seeded team for the third straight game—No. 4 seed Purdue, No. 1 seed Baylor and the second-seeded Tennessee.

WKU Joins Conference USA

Chuck Mason and The Daily News and Bowling Green — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 17:37:04 +0000

Old collegiate rivalries and new money drove the economic engine that pushed Western Kentucky University to seek an affiliation with Conference USA, WKU President Gary Ransdell said Monday. Ransdell said with the geography of the C-USA membership, student-athletes will experience less travel time, as will fans. “So much of this is positive for WKU,” he said.

Kentucky Wildcats Lose to UConn in Elite Eight

Louisville Public Media — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 15:53:31 +0000

The Kentucky Wildcats women’s basketball team was lost their bid Monday for their first Final Four appearance. The No. 2 seed Wildcats lost 83-53 to the UConn Huskies in Bridgeport, Conn., ending UK’s most successful season in history with a 30-6 record and a second-place regular season finish in the Southeastern Conference.

Louisville Cardinals' Kevin Ware has Successful Leg Surgery

Louisville Public Media — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 20:30:10 +0000

Louisville Cardinals guard Kevin Ware had successful surgery late Sunday on his right leg broken during an Elite Eight game and is expected to remain in Indianapolis' Methodist Hospital until at least Tuesday, the university said. He's hopeful to return to Louisville mid-week and join the team for next weekend's Final Four in Atlanta, the university added.

U of L, UK Reach Women's NCAA Sweet Sixteen Round

Louisville Public Media — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 21:44:05 +0000

The Louisville Cards and Kentucky Wildcats are both headed to the third round of the women’s NCAA basketball tournament. Second-seeded UK advanced to the Sweet Sixteen with a 84-70 victory tonight over Dayton. The Wildcats will face Delaware, a number six seed, Saturday in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Cards, Cats Return to Action in Women's NCAA Tournament

Louisville Public Media — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:47:36 +0000

The University of Louisville and University of Kentucky women’s basketball teams resume play tonight in the NCAA tournament. The Cardinals advanced to the second round with a victory over MiddleTennessee State Sunday. Fifth-seeded U of L takes number four Purdue at 7:00pm at the KFC Yum Center.

Louisville Cardinals Top Colorado State to Advance to Sweet 16

Louisville Public Media — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 18:15:25 +0000

The Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team easily beat the Colorado State Rams on Saturday to advance in the NCAA Tournament. The top-seeded Cardinals expanded on a 14-point halftime lead to win 82-56 in Lexington's Rupp Arena—which some fans were dubbing "Russ Arena," in acknowledgment of Louisville star guard Russ Smith. Smith led the Cardinals with 27 points.

Louisville Advances in NCAA Tournament

Louisville Public Media — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 16:55:24 +0000

The Louisville Cardinals have advanced in the men’s NCAA tournament, easily winning their opener 79-48 over North Carolina A&T tonight in Lexington. Russ Smith led the Cards with 23 points and eight steals. U of L, the tournament’s top overall seed, will face Colorado State Saturday in third round tournament action at Rupp Arena

Looking for Corporate Basketball Fans

Stu Johnson — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 21:12:49 +0000

Downtown Lexington is often a hectic spot, particularly when there’s a big game a Rupp Arena. Events like this week’s N-C-double-A tournament are money makers for the hospitality industry. But, it also offers ‘longer term’ economic opportunities. Among the fans coming to Lexington for the national sporting event are likely numerous corporate leaders. Lexington Mayor Jim Gray says it gives him a chance to sell the city to potential employers.

Louisville Cards Begin NCAA Title Quest in Lexington

Louisville Public Media — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 21:23:57 +0000

With the number one overall seed, a Big East Tournament title and a nine-game winning streak on its resume, the University of Louisville begins play in the men’s NCAA basketball tournament tomorrow in Lexington. The Cards take on North Carolina A&T, which defeated Liberty in Tuesday’s play-in game. It was the Aggies’ first-ever NCAA tournament victory.

Season Ends for UK Men's Basketball Team

Louisville Public Media — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:27:04 +0000

The season is over for the University of Kentucky men’s basketball team. The top-seeded Wildcats were defeated 59-57 tonight by Robert Morris University in the opening round of the National Invitation Tournament.

Brown Outs to Fade Away This Spring

Stu Johnson — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 10:51:56 +0000

A new strategy in Lexington should eliminate ‘brown outs.’ To save money on staff, the city occasionally takes fire trucks out of service. It now has plans to temporarily restore some overtime pay and hire new employees. As a result, Assistant Fire Chief Harold Hoskins says they should have enough personnel to fully staff those trucks. “By the time that second class graduates from recruit training in November, mid November, we’re hoping before Thanksgiving, then our staffing numbers should be up enough to where we’ll be able to staff all our companies without overtime. So, between now and Thanksgiving we’re looking at overtime to fill the gaps,” said Hoskins.

The Bouncing of the Ball This Week

Stu Johnson — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 10:47:25 +0000

College tournament basketball is off and running this week. For the first time in 68 years, Eastern Kentucky University has won a post season tourney game. E-K-U got a hard fought 69-62 victory over Gardner Webb last night in Boiling Springs North Carolina. The Colonels are competing in the College Insider dot com tournament. Eastern will learn later today who will be their next opponent.

Nate Silver Says Louisville Cardinals Have Best Chance of Winning NCAA Tournament

Louisville Public Media — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 18:54:59 +0000

Five Thirty Eight's Nate Silver is famous for accurately forecasting presidential elections, but he also correctly picked the 2012 NCAA men's basketball champion—the Kentucky Wildcats. This year, Silver is forecasting that the Louisville Cardinals have the best chance of winning the NCAA Tournament, though he cautions that they're not overwhelming favorites.

March Madness Across Kentucky

Stu Johnson — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 10:21:37 +0000

Men’s March Madness on the basketball court officially starts Tuesday, but Sunday night’s NC double A selections certainly set the stage for the next few weeks. Kentucky schools found out last night who they play in three different post season tournaments. The University of Louisville is the overall number one seed in the NC double A tournament. The Cardinals Thursday take on the winner of Liberty-North Carolina A and T play-in game.