May 2, 2021 7:28 am
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — John Velazquez was in a familiar place, in the lead aboard Medina Spirit in the Kentucky Derby and holding off the stretch bid of three challengers. This time, Bob Baffert couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Medina Spirit won by a half-length on Saturday, giving Baffert his seventh victory, the most of any trainer in the race’s 147-year history. The jockey and trainer — both Hall of Famers — teamed up eight months ago to win a pandemic-delayed Derby in September with Authentic, who raced to an early lead and hung on. That wasn’t so surprising. This one was. Sent off at 12-1 — astronomical odds for a colt trained by the white-haired, two-time Triple Crown winner — Medina Spirit was in a street fight thundering down the stretch. The dark brown colt was pressed by Mandaloun on his outside. Hot Rod Charlie was coming fast outside of Mandaloun, with 5-2 favorite Essential Quality giving chase on the far outside. Velazquez earned his fourth Derby victory aboard the colt that was purchased as a yearling for $1,000 and was a bargain-basement buy at $35,000 for current owner Amr Zedan of Saudi Arabia. By comparison, Zedan recently paid $1.7 million for an unraced 2-year-old.
May 1, 2021 12:11 pm
GREENVILLE, PA — Third-seeded Washington & Jefferson College earned a 2-1 victory over No. 4 Westminster College Friday night in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) Men’s Soccer Championship Tournament title match at Alexandre Stadium in Washington. The Ptitle is the second-straight for W&J and is the program’s fifth overall. The Presidents also won back-to-back conference titles in 2003-04. Friday night’s match was the first time since 2010 that the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds will play for the PAC championship.
Westminster (5-5-1) took the lead in the 15th minute when junior Tyler Caterino (Monessen) received a pass from sophomore Payton Goodwin (Plum) in the box off a deflection from a free kick. W&J (8-2-1) evened the match at 1-1 in the 43rd minute when junior Thomas Einolf (Middletown) tallied an unassisted goal in the 43rd minute. In the 81st minute freshman Jayden Da (Rockville, MD) drew a foul to gain a free kick opportunity for W&J. Junior Joey Feola (Central Catholic) chipped a ball into the box that sophomore Zach Bowser (Beaver) delivered with a header for the game-winner. W&J junior Samuel Miller (Lewisburg) made six saves in the victory. Westminster sophomore Jad Jadallah (Canfield, OH) had two saves in the loss. Westminster finished with a 23-11 advantage in shot attempts (7-4 on-goal). Westminster also had an 8-1 edge in corner kicks.
May 1, 2021 10:17 am
PALM HARBOR, Fla. (AP) – Sam Burns and Keegan Bradley share the lead heading into the third round of the PGA’s Valspar Championship in Florida. Burns surged up the leaderboard with an 8-under 63 to catch up with Bradley who carded a 66. Bradley ended his 65 by holing out for eagle from 100 yards in the ninth fairway, over a deep bunker to the elevated green. The shot left him guessing until he saw the fans jump out of their seats. They are four strokes ahead of Lucas Glover, Max Homa and Charley Hoffman. Phil Mickelson bogeyed two of his final three holes and missed the cut by one shot.
May 1, 2021 10:15 am
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – The Kentucky Derby is back in its traditional spot on the sports calendar – the first Saturday in May. After getting postponed until September last year because of the pandemic, it returns today with about 45,000 fans in attendance – about 100,000 fewer than usual. Essential Quality is the early 2-1 favorite in a field of 19 horses. The 147th edition could be one of several firsts. A Black jockey could win for the first time in 119 years and a female trainer could win for the first time. Trainer Bob Baffert, a six-time winner, goes for his record seventh, albeit with a 15-1 shot.
May 1, 2021 4:06 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) -Matt Carpenter hit his second pinch, three-run home run in as many days and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-3. Carpenter connected off Duane Underwood Jr. in the sixth inning to put the Cardinals ahead 6-1. Carpenter took the Philadelphia Phillies’ Aaron Nola deep Thursday in a game the Cardinals won 4-3 in 10 innings. St. Louis’ Tyler O’Neill had three hits, including a leadoff home run in the fourth inning. Nolan Arenado hit two run-scoring bloop doubles as St. Louis won for the sixth time in eight games.
May 1, 2021 4:03 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) – The Pittsburgh Steelers are intent on giving Ben Roethlisberger as many weapons as possible before he calls it a career. The Steelers selected Penn State tight end Pat Freiermuth in the second round of the draft. The team ignored major concerns along the offensive line to address depth at tight end after Vance McDonald retired in January. The pick is the second at an offensive skill position in as many selections for the Steelers. Pittsburgh selected running back Najee Harris in the first round. The Steelers selected Illinois offensive lineman Kendrick Green in the third round.
May 1, 2021 4:01 am
(AP) – The Pittsburgh Penguins are happy but not satisfied after clinching a 15th straight playoff berth. Pittsburgh’s postseason streak is the longest active streak in major North American professional sports. The team’s celebration after a victory over Washington that clinched a spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs was muted. While head coach Mike Sullivan praised his team for its hard work, he said it only sets the stage for the “real fun” that will begin when the postseason starts in a little over two weeks.
April 30, 2021 3:53 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) – The Pittsburgh Steelers are turning to Alabama star Najee Harris to give their running game a jolt. The Steelers selected Harris with the 24th overall pick in the NFL draft. They hope he can help a rushing attack that finished dead last in the NFL in yards rushing in 2020. Pittsburgh is looking to maximize whatever time left it has with veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. The 39-year-old restructured his contract to ensure he would be back for an 18th season. Harris provided the opportunity to grab a player who could make an immediate impact.
April 30, 2021 3:57 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) – The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed backup quarterback Mason Rudolph to a one-year contract extension through the 2022 season. The team made the move just moments before the start of the 2021 draft, indicating they will not be shopping for veteran Ben Roethlisberger’s replacement with the 24th overall pick. Rudolph is 5-3 as a starter, completing 176 of 283 passes for 1,765 yards and 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Rudolph was entering the final year of his rookie contract. The extension gives the Steelers a bit of continuity at the position with Roethlisberger perhaps entering the final season of his career.
April 30, 2021 3:56 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Jake Guentzel scored his 22nd goal 2:11 into overtime to lift the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 5-4 victory over the Washington Capitals in a result that clinched both teams’ place in the playoffs. Guentzel’s winner on a one-time redirection of John Marino’s pass came after Washington’s Tom Wilson forced overtime with 14.3 seconds to play. The result, combined with the New York Islanders’ regulation win over the New York Rangers, ensures both teams will be among the Eastern Division’s four playoff teams.
