PREAKNESS
California Chrome looks for another win
BALTIMORE (AP) — The second leg of the horse racing Triple Crown takes place early this evening at Pimlico in Baltimore. The Preakness favorite is Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome. The three-year-old colt has run away from the competition in five consecutive victories, winning by an average of over five lengths. The Kentucky Derby winner has had it his way ever since Victor Espinoza climbed aboard back in December when the streak began.
California Chrome galloped two miles in the rain Friday. The forecast today calls for better weather with a high in the low 70’s and low in mid-50’s.
A small blister in the colt’s throat that caused him to cough earlier in the week was blown out of proportion, according to Alan Sherman, the assistant trainer to his father Art Sherman. He says “California Chrome is fine. His throat is fine. He had a little tickle.”
NHL PLAYOFFS
Game 1 for Rangers and Canadiens
MONTREAL (AP) — The opening game in the NHL’s Eastern Conference final is being played this afternoon in Montreal as the Canadiens play host to the Rangers. Montreal advanced with a series win over Boston while the Rangers eliminated the Penguins in seven games as well. During the regular season the Canadiens won two of three games they played with the Rangers.
The Rangers enter riding a three-game winning streak after coming back from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Penguins, while the Canadiens had to rally from a 3-2 deficit to knock off the Bruins.
MLB-SCHEDULE
Checking out matinee play
UNDATED (AP) — Five day games are on the schedule in Major League Baseball today. In St. Louis the Cardinals have five-game winner Shelby Miller to the mound against Aaron Harang (huh-RANG’) of the Brewers. In Chicago the Cubs are out to snap a three game losing streak as they entertain the Brewers again. Milwaukee has won five of its last six games. In Washington the Nationals are entertaining the Mets in an NL East contest, in New York the Yankees and Pirates are squaring off and in Houston it’s the Astros against the White Sox.
GOLF-BYRON NELSON CHAMPIONSHIP
Todd’s the man on top
IRVING, Texas (AP) — Brendon Todd starts the day in front of the PGA’s Byron Nelson Championship. Following a 6-under-64 in round two, he stands 8-under for the tournament. That puts him two shots up on eight players, including Paul Casey, who matched the PGA Tour record for the best score on a back nine yesterday. He carded an 8-under 27 to finish with a 7-under 63 to secure his share of second place.
CHAMPIONS TOUR-REGIONS TRADITION
Calcavecchia starts in front
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — The third round of the Champions Tour Regions Tradition has started in Birmingham, Alabama. The leader at the end of play yesterday was Mark Calcavecchia (kal-kuh-VEHK’-ee-ah), who was one shot in front of Jay Haas. This is the first major of the year on the Champions Tour.
LPGA-KINGSMILL CHAMPIONSHIP
Rain delayed second round is over
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (AP) — The rain-delayed second round of the LPGA’s Kingsmill Championship was completed earlier today in Williamsburg, Virginia. The leader after 36 holes was Hee Young Park, who shot a 3-under 68 on Friday. Darkness fell with 24 groups still on the course. Stacy Lewis, bidding to regain her No. 1 world ranking, is a shot back, along with Brittany Lang and Lizette Salas.
NASCAR
Get ready for the Sprint Cup All-Star race
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — The NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star race is this evening in Concord, N.H. It makes for a long night of racing as the race itself is preceded by qualifying. The race consist of 90 laps or 135 miles, broken down into four 20-lap segments and a 10-lap finale with only green-flag laps counting in the last segment.
Jimmie Johnson has won the last two Sprint Cup All-Star races.
