Update on the latest sports
APHORSE RACING-MEDINA SPIRIT-BAFFERT
Churchill Downs suspends Baffert after Derby winner tests positive
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Churchill Downs has suspended trainer Bob Baffert from entering horses at the track and said it would invalidate Medina Spirit’s Kentucky Derby victory if the results of a failed postrace drug test are upheld.
The track said in a statement Sunday that failure to comply with the rules and medication protocols jeopardizes the safety of horses and jockeys, the sport’s integrity and the Derby’s reputation.
Churchill Downs’ announcement came after Baffert disclosed the failed drug test, which he vowed to fight “tooth and nail.”
In a Sunday morning news conference, Baffert said his barn was told Saturday that Medina Spirit was found to have 21 picograms of the steroid betamethasone, double the legal threshold in Kentucky racing, in a postrace sample. It’s the same drug that was found in the system of Gamine, another Baffert-trained horse who finished third in the Kentucky Oaks last September.
Baffert denied any wrongdoing and said he did not know how Medina Spirit could have tested positive. He said Medina Spirit has never been treated with betamethasone and called it “a complete injustice.”
Medina Spirit is Baffert’s fifth horse to fail a drug test in a year.
Medina Spirit is expected to run in the Preakness on Saturday, barring some abrupt change in plans or a decision from officials at Pimlico or Maryland’s racing commission that would prevent him from entering the second jewel of the Triple Crown.
NBA-PELICANS-GRIFFIN FINED
NBA fines Pelicans’ Griffin $50,000 for detrimental comments
NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA fined David Griffin of the New Orleans Pelicans $50,000 on Sunday for publicly criticizing officiating and making comments the league considered detrimental.
The decision came two days after Griffin, the Pelicans’ executive vice president of basketball operations, spoke out strongly about his concerns over the amount of contact NBA referees allow New Orleans forward Zion Williamson to endure.
Williamson is currently out indefinitely with a broken left index finger. Griffin said the Pelicans have told league officials many times that they feared Williamson was being exposed to injury because of the way defenders are allowed to play against the 6-foot-7, 284-pound standout. On Friday, Griffin said Williamson is “injured now because of the open season there’s been on Zion Williamson in the paint.”
Williamson is averaging 27.0 points and 7.2 rebounds per game this season.
The Pelicans began Sunday two games behind San Antonio for 10th place and the final play-in tournament berth in the Western Conference.
NHL-BLUE JACKETS-TORTORELLA
Tortorella out after 6 years as Columbus Blue Jackets coach
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Columbus Blue Jackets have mutually agreed to part ways with John Tortorella, the franchise’s winningest coach.
General manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced the decision a day after the Blue Jackets finished last in the Central Division, concluding their season with a 5-4 overtime win against Detroit. The 62-year-old Tortorella was in the final season of his contract.
Tortorella led the Blue Jackets to four straight playoff appearances after the team qualified for the postseason just twice in its first 15 seasons. The Blue Jackets also won their first playoff series in team history with a four-game sweep of the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Tampa Bay Lightning in a 2019 first-round series.
The Blue Jackets went 227-166-54 under Tortorella, including a team-best 50-24-8 finish in 2016-17.
MLB-SCHEDULE
Rain postpones Reds at Indians, Wins at Tigers
UNDATED (AP) — The three-game series finale between the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians set for Sunday has been postponed because of a forecast of wet weather in Cleveland. It’s being rescheduled for Aug. 9.
Ohio’s baseball teams split the first two games in the series.
The Reds will play on Monday in Pittsburgh. The Indians, who have won 10 of 13, open a two-game series Tuesday at home against the Chicago Cubs.
Rain has also postponed the Minnesota Twins’ series finale against the Detroit Tigers. The game will be made up as part of a day-night doubleheader on July 16.
NASCAR-DARLINGTON
Harvick looks to jumpstart winless year again at Darlington
DARLINGTON, S.C. (AP) — Kevin Harvick is looking for another breakthrough win at Darlington Raceway.
A year ago, Harvick won on the country track when the NASCAR Cup Series returned from a two-month suspension because of the pandemic. Harvick won eight more times after that, including a victory at the Southern 500 on Labor Day weekend.
Harvick enters Sunday’s Goodyear 400 without a victory. But he believes his success at Darlington can lead him back to Victory Lane.
Harvick isn’t the only winless standout in the field. Others seeking a win include points leader Denny Hamlin and reigning series champ Chase Elliott.
F1-SPANISH GP
Hamilton wins Spanish GP ahead of Verstappen
MONTMELÓ, Spain (AP) — Lewis Hamilton beat Max Verstappen in a thrilling duel Sunday to win the Spanish Grand Prix and increase his championship lead over his top rival.
Verstappen’s Red Bull edged the pole-sitting Hamilton to the first curve to snatch the early lead. But Mercedes’ use of two pit stops to give Hamilton fresher tires down the final stretch paid off and allowed him to overtake the Dutchman with six laps remaining.
Hamilton followed his 100th career pole on Saturday by taking his 98th career win. He also tied Michael Schumacher’s mark of six victories at the Spanish Grand Prix, including the last five in a row.
Hamilton increased his lead to 14 points over Verstappen, who grabbed a bonus point for the fastest lap.
Hamilton’s teammate Valtteri Bottas steered his Mercedes to a third-place finish.
LPGA THAILAND
Home favorite Jutanugarn shoots 63 to win LPGA Thailand
PATTAYA, Thailand (AP) — Ariya Jutanugarn (ahr-EE’-uh juh-TAN’-uh-garn) shot a 9-under-par 63 in the final round to win the LPGA Thailand by one stroke on Sunday and become the first home winner of the tournament in 14 years.
Jutanugarn’s overall total of 22 under 266 just edged out her fellow Thai Atthaya Thitikul, who missed a four-foot birdie putt at the last to force a playoff. The 18-year-old Thitikul, who held the tournament lead from the sixth hole until she made a bogey on the 17th, had to be content with second place, her best finish on the LPGA Tour.
