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Bob Baffert is again the center of attention at the Preakness, even without the Derby winner
Stephen Whyno, Associated Press | Posted May 17 - 12:44 p.m. | Save Story
Bob Baffert for a second consecutive year was a late arrival at the Preakness. He landed in Baltimore late in the day Thursday in the aftermath of his best horse being scratched because of a fever. Without Muth, Baffert has Imagination running to try to give him a record-extending ninth victory in the race. The two-time Triple Crown-winning trainer is still the center of attention at Pimlico Race Course, even when he doesn't have the Kentucky Derby winner. Also making his first appearance at the track was Derby-winning trainer Kenny McPeek's yellow lab, Sonny.
Eddie Gossage, the longtime head of Texas Motor Speedway, dies at 65
The Associated Press | Updated May 17 - 10:03 a.m. | Save Story
Eddie Gossage, the longtime head of Texas Motor Speedway and an old-school promoter mentored by stock car racing pioneers, has died. He was 65. His death was announced by Speedway Motorsports, which did not disclose any details. Gossage spent 25 years at the Texas speedway before retiring three years ago. He learned the art of selling tickets, packing grandstands and turning races into spectacles from company founder Bruton Smith and longtime executive Humpy Wheeler.
Preakness: How to watch, the favorites and what to expect in the second leg of the Triple Crown
The Associated Press | Posted May 17 - 9:35 a.m. | Save Story
Mystik Dan will look to win the second leg of the Triple Crown when he takes on seven other horses in the Preakness. He won the Kentucky Derby by a nose in the race's closest finish since 1947. Kenny McPeek's horse, who was a Derby long shot, did not open as the Preakness favorite. But Bob Baffert-trained Muth was scratched Wednesday after spiking a fever upon arrival at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. Muth's absence makes it a field of eight for the race.
Indy 500: When it starts, how to watch, betting odds for 'The Greatest Spectacle in Racing'
The Associated Press | Updated May 17 - 9:10 a.m. | Save Story
The countdown begins for the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500. What is known as "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" will take place this year on May 26 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Qualifying is this weekend. Josef Newgarden is the defending winner after a controversial finish a year ago. NASCAR star Kyle Larson will be making his Indy 500 debut, then flying to North Carolina the same night to race in the Cup Series race there. Helio Castroneves will be trying for a record-setting fifth win. Two-time series champion Alex Palou is the betting favorite to win his first Indianapolis 500.
Kyle Larson growing frustrated as Indianapolis 500 prep goes slower than anticipated
Jenna Fryer, Associated Press | Updated May 16 - 4:49 p.m. | Save Story
Frustration began to build for Kyle Larson on his third day of Indianapolis 500 preparations as work to his Arrow McLaren car kept him off track for a huge chunk of the session. Rain washed out all day Tuesday and half of Wednesday. Larson wanted to use Thursday to continue to adapt to an Indy car ahead of his debut in the May 26 "Greatest Spectacle in Racing." But Arrow McLaren made an early-day engine change before Larson got 11 laps on track. Then McLaren called him back to the garage to make extensive setup changes to the No. 17.
Marcus Ericsson crashes in practice but still has no regrets headed into Indy 500
Jenna Fryer, Associated Press | Updated May 16 - 2:23 p.m. | Save Story
Marcus Ericsson returned to the Indianapolis 500 with zero regrets but ended Thursday with a violent collision late in the first full day of practice. Ericsson hit a curb with just over two hours remaining in the session, causing his car to spin and hit the wall three different times. Before the crash, Ericsson had moved past the controversial ending to last year's race that cost the Swede a second consecutive win in the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing." He will try to win his second Indy 500 in three years on May 26 after last year's controversial runner-up finish.
Preakness is up next for Brian Hernandez after winning the Derby with a perfect trip on Mystik Dan
Stephen Whyno, Associated Press | Posted May 16 - 2:11 p.m. | Save Story
Brian Hernandez Jr. knew he'd need a perfect trip to win the Kentucky Derby aboard Mystik Dan. In preparation, he watched some of Hall of Famer Calvin Borel's rides in the race over the years to prepare. Then he made Borel proud by skimming the rail and finishing first by a nose in the Derby's closest finish in more than three-quarters of a century. Fresh off perhaps the best performance of his career, the unheralded Louisiana native will be back aboard Mystik Dan in the Preakness on Saturday looking for his second Triple Crown win, which would establish him as one of the top jockeys in the sport.
Catching Freedom shows why it was an 'easy decision' to enter him in the Preakness
Stephen Whyno, Associated Press | Posted May 16 - 12:48 p.m. | Save Story
The decision to enter Catching Freedom in the Preakness after he finished fourth in the Kentucky Derby was one of the last ones made. After a few days on the track at Pimlico Race Course, it's easy to see why trainer Brad Cox and his camp made that call. Plus, Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan is the revised favorite in the absence of Muth. And big Uncle Heavy is among the fresh horses looking to spring an upset in the second leg of the Triple Crown with one of the country's best jockeys leading the way.
F1 design great Newey expects to join another team after leaving Red Bull next year
The Associated Press | Posted May 16 - 9:18 a.m. | Save Story
Adrian Newey expects to join another Formula 1 team once he's had a "bit of a holiday" after leaving Red Bull. Newey is stepping down as Red Bull's chief technical officer early next year. At that point he will be free to join another team. He could help whichever one he joins develop its 2026 car when the next major change in regulations happens. Newey says "at some point I'll probably go again" with another team. Newey joined Red Bull in 2006 and has helped the team win seven drivers' titles and six constructors' titles.
'Stepchild' of the Triple Crown? Debate lingers over restoring the prestige of the Preakness
Stephen Whyno, Associated Press | Posted May 16 - 4:00 a.m. | Save Story
Talk of Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan not running in the Preakness raised questions about the second leg of horse racing's Triple Crown, which has in recent years fallen on hard times. The gimme of horses winning or even running in the Derby going to Baltimore is no longer the case. That has led to debate over whether the race should be moved back a week or more and what can be done to restore the prestige the Preakness had for nearly 150 years. The Belmont is not facing those questions this year or next given the novelty of moving to Saratoga for 2024 and '25.
NASCAR planning in-season tournament in 2025, with opening race in Atlanta
Paul Newberry, Associated Press | Posted May 15 - 4:34 p.m. | Save Story
Following the lead of the NBA, the NASCAR Cup series is planning a five-race, bracket-style tournament in 2025 that will begin with a night event at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The tournament comes with a $1 million prize to the winner and is part of a new media rights deal that includes TNT. The Atlanta-based cable network will broadcast each race in the tournament, starting off with a 400-miler in its home market on June 28, 2025. The tournament is patterned after in-season tournaments that are staged by soccer leagues around the world and were brought to the NBA this season.
Cancer claims Iditarod champion Rick Mackey. His father and brother also won famed Alaska race
Mark Thiessen, Associated Press | Updated May 15 - 2:42 p.m. | Save Story
Musher and dog trainer Rick Mackey has died. He won the grueling Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race across Alaska in 1983. His daughter Brenda Mackey tells The Associated Press he died Monday of lung cancer. Mackey participated in 22 Iditarods between 1975 and 2004, notching 13 top 10 finishes. The Mackey name is synonymous with the Iditarod. Rick's father Dick won the race in 1978, and his brother Lance won four straight Iditarods, from 2007 through 2010. Rick was diagnosed with cancer two weeks after his brother died of cancer in September 2022.
Robby Albarado is 'living vicariously' through Mystik Dan from the Kentucky Derby to the Preakness
Stephen Whyno, Associated Press | Posted May 15 - 12:47 p.m. | Save Story
Until this month, Robby Albarado had never been in the Kentucky Derby winner's circle during a two-decade career as a jockey that included more than 5,000 victories. He finally did so with Mystik Dan even though he has never been aboard the horse for a race. Albarado has a different role in trainer Kenny McPeek's barn as the exercise rider to the new star of horse racing. The Louisiana native started riding Mystik Dan in the mornings for training starting as a 2-year-old. What better person to have getting him ready for the Preakness than Albarado, who has won the second leg of the Triple Crown twice.
After slow start to IndyCar season, Arrow McLaren tries to get back on track at Indianapolis 500
Michael Marot, Associated Press | Posted May 15 - 11:33 a.m. | Save Story
Pato O'Ward picked up his first trophy in nearly two years when he arrived at Arrow McLaren's team lounge in Indianapolis last weekend. It wasn't the victory celebration he'd planned for his first IndyCar win since July 2022, but it was unusual: He won by default when Josef Newgarden was disqualified for cheating. For the slumping Arrow McLaren team, the inherited win was a chance to restart what has been a challenging season. And now O'Ward and his teammates hope to take advantage at this year's biggest IndyCar race, next weekend's Indianapolis 500.
Preakness favorite Muth ruled out of the 2nd leg of the Triple Crown after spiking a fever
Stephen Whyno, Associated Press | Updated May 15 - 11:19 a.m. | Save Story
Preakness favorite Muth has been ruled out of the second leg of the Triple Crown after spiking a fever. The Maryland Jockey Club announced Muth's status change Wednesday morning, roughly 12 hours after the horse arrived at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. Muth was set to be one of two horses running in the Preakness for two-time Triple Crown-winning trainer Bob Baffert. He opened as the 8-5 favorite with Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan second at 5-2. Ray Bryner, the assistant trainer for Mystik Dan, says Muth not being in the Preakness changes the equation.
Preakness: How to watch, the favorites and what to expect in the second leg of the Triple Crown
The Associated Press | Updated May 15 - 10:12 a.m. | Save Story
Mystik Dan will look to win the second leg of the Triple Crown when he takes on seven other horses in the Preakness. He won the Kentucky Derby by a nose in the race's closest finish since 1947. Kenny McPeek's horse, who was a Derby long shot, did not open as the Preakness favorite. But Bob Baffert-trained Muth was scratched Wednesday after spiking a fever upon arrival at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. Muth's absence makes it a field of eight for the race.
F1 management and FIA reach peace agreement to stop infighting and align on behalf of global series
Jenna Fryer, Associated Press | Posted May 15 - 9:06 a.m. | Save Story
The contempt between Formula 1 and its governing body has softened, with both sides announcing they've agreed "to commit to a strategic plan for the future of F1." FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem told The Associated Press at the Miami Grand Prix earlier this month that his relationship with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali "has never been better" and the two were working to further strengthen an alliance. In a Wednesday statement given to the AP on behalf of both the FIA and Formula One Management, the two sides say they have developed a working relationship to benefit F1.
F1 driver Alex Albon signs a multiyear contract extension with Williams
The Associated Press | Updated May 15 - 8:28 a.m. | Save Story
Formula One driver Alex Albon has signed a multiyear contract extension with Williams to end speculation about his future. Team principal James Vowles called it "a huge vote of confidence" in the once-dominant team's rebuild. Williams says the new deal will keep the 28-year-old Albon at the team "into the new era of Formula 1 regulations," which start in 2026. It did not give more details. The announcement came ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix this weekend. The British-born Thai driver had been linked with moves to both Red Bull and Mercedes. He was under contract at Williams through 2025.
8 watches owned by F1 great Michael Schumacher fetch more than $4 million at auction in Geneva
Jamey Keaten, Associated Press | Updated May 14 - 10:34 p.m. | Save Story
Eight watches belonging to auto racing icon Michael Schumacher sold Tuesday for nearly 4 million Swiss francs ($4.4 million) at a Geneva auction. The top piece in the sale was a watch given to the German superstar by former Ferrari CEO Jean Todt as a Christmas present in 2004. The hammer came down at a price of 1.2 million francs, or 1.5 million including the buyer's commission. The sale of Schumacher watches garnered a total of more than 3.1 million francs at the hammer price. The auction was timed 30th anniversary after his first Formula One Drivers Championship win.
