Preakness Stakes News

My Dinah wins Fleet Indian Stakes at Saratoga

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) -- My Dinah wore down Meese Rocks in the final strides to win the $70,000 Fleet Indian Stakes for fillies and mares bred in New York on Friday at Saratoga. Jose Espinoza rode the 5-year-old mare, trained by Kathleen Feron. My Dinah ran 7 fulongs in 1:22.96 to win by a head, her first vict

Nationwide-only drivers looking for breakthrough

By LUKE MEREDITH AP Sports Writer NEWTON, Iowa(AP) -- The NASCAR Nationwide series has been dominated by double-duty Sprint Cup drivers all season, which isn't exactly a new phenomenon. The so-called "regular guys" on the Nationwide tour are hoping to break that trend in Iowa. The Nationwide series will make its se

Gordon's crew chief signs extension(3)

By DAN GELSTON AP Sports Writer LONG POND, Pa.(AP) -- Hendrick Motorsports has signed Jeff Gordon crew chief Steve Letarte to a multiyear extension. Letarte has been with Gordon since the end of the 2005 season. Gordon has 10 wins, 14 poles and leads NASCAR in top-five finishes since they teamed up. Hendrick announ

Stewart takes Pocono poles

By GENARO C. ARMAS AP Sports Writer LONG POND, Pa.(AP) -- Tony Stewart likes to start up front at Pocono Raceway. Stewart had a lap Friday at 171.393 mph to top of the field for Sunday's Pennsylvania 500. He was awarded the pole in two of his previous three starts at Pocono after rainouts washed out qualifying. Thi

Edwards, Biffle wish injured Roush speedy recovery

LONG POND, Pa.(AP) -- Carl Edwards hopes Jack Roush makes a speedy recovery from injuries the NASCAR team owner sustained in a plane crash this week in Wisconsin. Edwards said before qualifying Friday for the Pennsylvania 500 that Roush will be missed because he can jump in on any project on his No. 99 Ford, from tun

Horse of Year to run next at Saratoga

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) -- One of racing's biggest names will run at the country's premier meet after all. Rachel Alexandra, the reigning Horse of the Year, will make her next start in the Personal Ensign Stakes on Aug. 29 at Saratoga Race Course, principal owner Jess Jackson announced in a statement issued Frid

Zenyatta completes workout at Hollywood Park

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) -- Undefeated Zenyatta breezed six furlongs at Hollywood Park in what was expected to be her final workout before her next scheduled start. Zenyatta completed the distance in 1:13.60 on Friday morning over her home track under regular rider Mike Smith. Her time was the fourth-fastest among 13

Newman, Hamlin say they were fined by NASCAR

By DAN GELSTON AP Sports Writer LONG POND, Pa.(AP) -- Ryan Newman and Denny Hamlin say they are the drivers fined by NASCAR for making critical comments about the racing series. Newman refused to disclose on Friday the amount of the fine or what he said. He implied that it was for comments he made after he crashed a

Jim Dandy, Diana Handicap at Saratoga on Saturday

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) -- Belmont Stakes runner-up Fly Down is the favorite for Saturday's $500,000 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga in a race that serves as a prep for the $1 million Travers on Aug. 28. While Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver and Preakness winner Lookin At Lucky are running in the Haskell Invitati

Red Bull's Vettel sets pace at Hungarian practice(2)

BUDAPEST, Hungary(AP) -- Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel has posted the best times during both 90-minute practice sessions for the Hungarian Grand Prix. Vettel outpaced teammate Mark Webber in Friday's morning session, then topped Ferrari's Fernando Alonso by 0.49 seconds in the afternoon. Red Bull and Ferrari alternate

Temple City wins Del Mar feature

DEL MAR, Calif. (AP) -- Temple City won the $125,000 Cougar II Handicap on Friday at Del Mar, leading wire-to-wire en route to a 3\005C\005C-length victory. Ridden by Joe Talamo, who had three winners on the card, Temple City ran 1 1/2 miles in a track-record 2:30.46 and paid $4.40, $3.60 and $2.10. The previous tra

Newman says he was fined by NASCAR

By DAN GELSTON AP Sports Writer LONG POND, Pa.(AP) -- Ryan Newman says he was one of the drivers fined by NASCAR for making critical comments about the racing series and hinted that Denny Hamlin was another. Newman refused to disclose on Friday the amount of the fine or what he said. He implied that it was for comme

Gordon's crew chief signs extension(2)

By DAN GELSTON AP Sports Writer LONG POND, Pa.(AP) -- Jeff Gordon has a new spotter this weekend at Pocono Raceway. He won't have to look for a new crew chief for at least three more years. Steve Letarte, who has done it all with Gordon except win a championship, signed a three-year extension this week with Hendrick

Correction: Indy changes story

INDIANAPOLIS(AP) -- In a story July 28 about declining attendance at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, The Associated Press reported erroneously that the track plans to cut ticket prices for 75 percent of the seats at next year's NASCAR race. Indianapolis president and CEO Jeff Belskus says tickets will cost the same or le

Red Bull's Vettel sets pace at Hungarian practice

By PABLO GORONDI Associated Press Writer BUDAPEST, Hungary(AP) -- Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel posted the best times during both 90-minute practice sessions for the Hungarian Grand Prix on Friday. Vettel outpaced teammate Mark Webber in the morning session, then topped Ferrari's Fernando Alonso by 0.49 seconds in the

Gordon's crew chief signs extension

Pocono Raceway flips switch on solar energy system

LONG POND, Pa.(AP) -- Pocono Raceway has the flipped the switch on a solar energy system that leaders say will make the NASCAR track the world's largest solar-powered sports facility. It will be partially up and running this weekend and provide power to the raceway for Sunday's Pennsylvania 500. It would be the first

Stewart returns to North Dakota

WEST FARGO, N.D.(AP) -- NASCAR star Tony Stewart made his return to North Dakota - and failed to cross the finish line. The two-time Sprint Cup champion was felled by a flat tire midway through the 35-lap All Star Circuit of Champions sprint feature Thursday at the Red River Valley Speedway. He was third in a late mo

NJ harness racing supporters rally to save sport

By TOM CANAVAN AP Sports Writer EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Harness racing in New Jersey isn't going to die without a fight. That's the message the head of the state's harness racing industry told about 150 supporters of the sport who attended an informational meeting in the paddock at the Meadowlands Racetrack o

Beau Choix wins Quick Call Stakes at Saratoga

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) -- Beau Choix wore down Lonesome Street and Lighthouse Sound in the stretch to win the $70,000 Quick Call Stakes for 3-year-olds by a head Thursday at Saratoga. Javier Castellano rode Beau Choix for trainer Barclay Tagg, covering a mile over a firm turf course in 1:35.57 to earn $42,000 f