LITTLE ROCK — FOOTBALL Colts missing two defenders Middle linebacker Gar y Brackett and cornerback KelvinHayden did not travel with the Indianapolis Colts to Arizona, where the Colts will play the Cardinals tonight. Brackett injured his left knee late in last Sunday's victory at Miami. Hayden hurt his hamstring. Both were held out of practice this week.Freddy Keiaho likely will replace Brackett, the defensive captain, in the starting lineup. It's uncertain who will replace Hayden for the Colts in the secondary.
The Cleveland Browns will be without running back Jamal Lewis and kicker Phil Dawson today against Baltimore. Lewis missed practice all week with a hamstring injury and Dawson was added to Cleveland's injury report Friday with an injured right calf. Both will sit out against the Ravens, as will offensive linemen Floyd Womack (ankle) and Rex Hadnot (knee). To replace Dawson, the Browns signed kicker Billy Cundiff, who spent four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and one in New Orleans. He was released by Detroit on Sept. 5. In 58 career regular-season games, Cundiff has made 60 of 83 field-goal attempts and 100 of 101 extra-point attempts.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have promoted rookie receiver Mario Urrutia from the practice squad and released fifth-year linebacker Matt McCoy. Tampa Bay added Urrutia (pronounced yew-ROOtee-uh) to the active roster Saturday to bolster a receiving corps thinned by injuries. He was signed by the Bucs during training camp, released Sept. 5 and re-signed to the practice squad the following day.
BOXING Klitschko retains title
Vitali Klitschko pounded CrisArreola almost at will Saturday night, retaining his heavyweight title when the referee waved the fight to a close after the 10th round in Los Angeles. Klitschko dominated from the opening bell, landing punches from almost every angle against Arreola, who was trying to become the first Mexican-American to win a piece of the heavyweight title. It was his third victory since returning to the ring last year after a four-year retirement. Klitschko moved to 38-2, while Arreola lost for the first time in 28 fights.
Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym of Thailand stopped Bernard Dunne of Ireland in the third round to win the WBA super-bantamweight title in Dublin, Ireland.The Thai landed three powerful left hooks in the third round Saturday, each time sending Dunne to the mat. The referee stopped the fight after the third knockdown as blood flowed from the Dubliner's nose and left ear. The 28-year-old Poonsawat (39-1) had waited 18 months for his shot at the title. It was his first professional victory outside Thailand. Before the fight he predicted he would knock out the hometown favorite within seven rounds.
BASKETBALL Nuggets sign Graham
The Denver Nuggets have signed veteran forward Joey Graham to their training camp roster. Graham has averaged 6.4 points and 3.1 rebounds in 275 games with the Toronto Raptors, who selected him with the 16th overall pick in the 2005 draft. His signing gives the Nuggets 17 players on their roster in training camp.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have promoted Fred Hoiberg to vice president of basketball operations and demoted assistant general manager Jim Stack to a scout. Hoiberg has been an assistant general manager for the past three seasons. The team said Saturday he will oversee day-to-day operations and report to David Kahn, the president of basketball operations.
HORSE RACING
Sumacha'hot wins Classic
Sumacha'hot rallied late to win the $200,000 Maryland Million Classic at the Jim McKay Maryland Million on Saturday in Laurel, Md. The son of Mojave Moon has won six out of 10 races this year and was victorious in the Classic with a time of 1:50.26, ahead of the defending champion, Cuba. Regal Solo was third. Broadway Producer finished fourth and missed a chance at becoming just the second horse in Maryland Million history to win the Classic and Turf in back-to-back years. In the $125,000 races, Talkin About Love rallied late to win the Ladies in 1:47.85. Beau's Trip finished second for the second time in three years. Heavenly Moon was third. All Giving, the favorite, got her sixth win in 16 races at Laurel in the Distaff in 1:23.34. Saxet Heights rallied for second-place and Broad Bess finished third. Roaring Lion, the favorite, easily won the Sprint in 1:08.64, just missing the track record of 1:07.95. Celtic Innis took second, 3- 1 /2 lengths behind. Saay Mi Name was third. Target Sighted, in only his fourth lifetime start, won the Turf in 1:49.3. Moon Ala Mode edged Into the Wind for second in a photo finish.
Furthest Land carried jockey Garrett Gomez to his third consecutive stakes win of the day with his neck victory over Dubious Miss in the $200,000, Grade II Kentucky Classic at Turfway Park in Florence, Ky. Sligovitz finished third, while Hold Me Back, the 4-to-5 favorite, finished sixth of nine. Earlier on the card, Gomez won the $100,000 Kentucky Cup Distaff and the $100,000 Kentucky Cup Sprint. Dubious Miss took the lead entering the stretch and reluctantly gave way to the winner, who completed the 1 1 /8 miles in 1:48 1 /5. Furthest Land returned $14.40, $6.60 and $3.80 at odds of 6-to-1.
Indian Blessing will return to the Breeders' Cup in winning form following her victory by a head over Sara Louise in the $156,500 Gallant Bloom Handicap for fillies and mares at Belmont Park in New York.Indian Blessing covered the 6 1 /2 furlongs in 1:15.29. She paid $4.80, $2.70 and $2.20. Sara Louise returned $2.90 and $2.20. Sky Haven earned $4.20 to show. The Gallant Bloom was a "Win and You're In" stakes, ensuring the victor a spot in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Santa Anita on Nov. 6. Indian Blessing, a 4-year-old trained by Bob Baffert, parlayed a win in last year's Gallant Bloom into a second-place finish in the Breeders' Cup.
RUNNING
Rowbury wins in New York
Shannon Rowbury of the United States won the women's Fifth Avenue Mile in New York with a time of 4 minutes, 23.3 seconds Saturday to beat Briton Lisa Dobriskey and American Sarah Hall. Both crossed in 4:23.9 with Dobriskey placing second in a photo finish. Andy Baddeley of Britian finished in 3:51.8 to edge Boaz Lalang of Kenya and become the first British man since 1991 to win the race. Lalang was second in 3:52.0 and American Leo Manzano third in 3:52.2. Two-time Olympic medalist Bernard Lagat of the United States was fourth in 3:52.7. Rowbury won silver in the 1,500 meters at the world championships in August. Hall is married to Ryan Hall, the top-ranked U.S. marathoner.
SOCCER
U.S. falls at U20 World Cup
Germany defeated the United States 3-0 at the under-20 World Cup in Suez, Egypt. The Americans produced few chances. A strong drive from Jared Jeffrey hit the crossbar in the 65th minute. Germany got goals from Dani Schahin, Florian Jungwirth and Manuel Schaeffler on Saturday. Schahin put Germany ahead in the 30th, sending American keeper Brian Perk the wrong way with a penalty kick. Jungwirth added the second two minutes later, firing the ball past Perk from the edge of the area. In the 72nd, Schaeffler made it 3-0 after taking a cross from substitute Cihan Kaptan.
Sports, Pages 26 on 09/27/2009