In brief: Owners retire Rachel Alexandra

Horse racing: The owner of 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra says his filly has been retired following a disappointing season in which she won only two of five races.

The popular 4-year-old filly won all eight of her races in 2009, including victories over the boys in the Preakness, the Haskell Invitational and the Woodward.

Co-owner Jess Jackson said Tuesday it’s time to “retire our champion and reward her with a less stressful life.” Jackson says Rachel Alexandra will be bred to Curlin, the 2007 and 2008 Horse of the Year. Jackson owns a majority stake in Curlin.

Rachel Alexandra had 13 wins in 19 starts and earned more than $3.4 million.

In her last start, Rachel finished second to Persistently in the Personal Ensign at Saratoga on Aug. 29.

Cal drops five sports teams

Colleges: In its latest move to cut costs California is eliminating five of its intercollegiate sports programs, including its championship men’s rugby team, officials said.

Cal’s baseball, men’s and women’s gymnastics, and women’s lacrosse teams will no longer represent the university in intercollegiate competition after this academic year, officials said.

The men’s rugby team, which has won 25 national championships since 1980, will move into a new category called “varsity club sport,” which officials say will allow the team to continue playing and competing on campus but become financially self-sustaining.

Reducing the number of teams from 29 to 24 will save an estimated $4 million a year and affect 163 of the school’s more than 800 student-athletes, as well as 13 full-time coaches.

Associated Press

Injury ends Griz QB’s career

College football: Montana quarterback Andrew Selle suffered a career-ending injury in the Grizzlies’ 28-25 win over Sacramento State, coach Robin Pflugrad said.

“It’s a big loss and a tough deal for our team and I know our players are taking the news very hard,” Pflugrad said in a statement released Monday. “He is our inspirational leader and he was our summer leader.”

The Missoulian reports Selle left the field late in the second quarter of Saturday’s homecoming game with an injury to his right (throwing) shoulder. He was seen on the sideline later with his arm in a sling. School officials did not release any information on the injury.

Selle, a senior from Billings, was 14-3 as a starter at Montana and was a preseason candidate for the Walter Payton Award. Associated Press