College basketball
Report: Memphis responding to alleged NCAA violations
The University of Memphis is responding to an NCAA notice of allegations accusing the men's basketball program of major violations during the 2007-08 season under John Calipari, a newspaper reported Wednesday. The allegations include "knowing fraudulence or misconduct" on an SAT exam by a player on that season's team, which finished runner-up in the NCAA tournament, The Commercial Appeal reported on its Web site. Lamar Chance, spokesman for the basketball program, declined to comment Wednesday night when contacted
AROUND THE NATION: : Sophomore guard Terrence Oglesby, who led Clemson with 92 three pointers last season, will play professionally in Europe, giving up his final two college seasons. ... Former Kentucky men's coach Billy Gillispie is suing the school's athletics association, seeking $6 million over his firing last spring. The lawsuit claims breach of contract and fraud.
Horse racing
Pimlico spring wagering up 8.9 percent from 2008
The Maryland Jockey Club concluded its spring meeting at Pimlico Race Course last weekend, posting average wagering figures that were 8.9 percent higher than comparable dates from 2008. The spring meet featured just 20 live racing dates, 11 fewer than a year ago. When comparing the 41 days of the stand (20 live and 21 simulcast) with 2008, the average daily handle rose from $6.293 million to $6.854 million. Increased wagering for the May 16 card headlined by Preakness Stakes was the reason for the higher totals. Wagering on the 13-race card finished at more than $86.6 million, the fifth largest in the 134-year history of the event, up 18 percent from a year ago. Nearly $60 million was bet on the Preakness itself as filly Rachel Alexandra defeated 12 colts and geldings. The race drew 10.9 million viewers on NBC, up 38 percent from 2008.
BELMONT STAKES: : Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas worked both Luv Gov and Flying Private on Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., and will run both in the Belmont on June 6.
JOCKEY: : Jockey Jamie Theriot is appealing a 30-day suspension he received in connection with an accident at Arlington Park that left fellow rider Rene Douglas seriously injured. The Illinois Racing Board suspended Theriot on Monday after Saturday's spill at the Arlington Matron Handicap.
