HOSPITAL: : An $18 million equine hospital named for the superstar filly Ruffian has opened near Belmont Park, and will specialize in diagnostics and orthopedic surgery for horses of all breeds and disciplines.
NHL
Ex-goalie Roy turns down Avalanche coaching offer
Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy won't be returning to Colorado to try to lead the Avalanche back to respectability. Roy turned down an offer to coach the team, which he led to two Stanley Cup titles but is reeling from its worst finish since moving to Denver in 1995 and has very little financial maneuverability. "All I can say is that the Avalanche's offer was more than interesting," Roy said.
BRUINS: : Team owner Jeremy Jacobs said he expects the NHL's third annual Winter Classic to be played outdoors Jan. 1 at Fenway Park, the home of the Boston Red Sox. He said an official announcement from the league could come in July.
Et cetera
Football coaches' votes confidential starting in 2010
Beginning in 2010, ballots in the final regular-season USA Today coaches' college football poll will be confidential - one of a handful of changes on tap for the poll that helps decide who plays in the BCS national championship game. The American Football Coaches Association asked Gallup to study its poll and recommend how to make it more accurate and credible. The AFCA's board heard the results in early May and announced them Wednesday. "Gallup said, 'Look, why do you think they have curtains and booths for voting?' " AFCA executive director Grant Teaff said. "They said it's because you get the truest vote from an anonymous vote."
DRUGS: : A central Florida man arrested with thousands of anabolic steroid pills told investigators he sold to professional athletes, including players on the Washington Nationals and Capitals, authorities in Tampa said Wednesday. Richard Thomas boasted about selling steroids to professional baseball, hockey and football players, saying, "You name the sport, and I've sold steroids to athletes who play it," the Polk County Sheriff's Office said. Authorities said Thomas didn't name specific players, and they have no evidence he sold to members of those teams.
NBA: : The 76ers have interviewed Dallas assistant Dwane Casey for a second time about their coaching position. A person familiar with the decision confirmed the interview to the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.
NFL: : The agent of Steelers linebacker James Harrison says the player's 2-year-old son, James Harrison III, has been released from a Pittsburgh hospital after an attack by his father's pit bull last Thursday.
CYCLING: : Franco Pellizotti won the short 17th stage of the Giro d'Italia with a solo breakaway on an uphill finish in Blockhaus. Denis Menchov of Russia retained the overall leader's pink jersey, 26 seconds ahead of Danilo Di Luca. Pellizotti moved up from fourth to third, 2:00 behind. Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong remained 12th, 12:17 back.
WNBA: : Former Maryland guard Kristi Toliver, the third overall pick in the draft, had 17 points in 19 minutes of the Chicago Sky's 78-68 exhibition loss to the host Detroit Shock.
SOCCER: : Crystal Palace Baltimore tied the Western Mass Pioneers, 0-0, Tuesday in the Second Division of the United Soccer Leagues.
- From Sun staff and news services
