Hall of Fame jockey Bailey announces his retirement
Jerry Bailey was thinking retirement for several years and finally, a few weeks into this season, he knew it was time for his illustrious Hall of Fame career to come to an end.
“I still enjoy competing in the biggest races on the best horses on the biggest days,” the two-time Kentucky Derby winning rider said. “But to get to those days, there are a lot of routine days and I just didn’t feel the passion I should have felt.”
With that, Bailey said Wednesday he’ll retire after riding at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 28. The 48-year-old Bailey will then begin his next career as a racing analyst for ESPN and ABC Sports, where he will be part of about 20 telecasts, including the Belmont Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup.
Bailey cited other reasons for his decision, “but the one that matters the most is I just really feel it’s time – time to spend more time with my wife and my son.”
And after a 31-year career, “I also want to walk away in one piece.”
Golf
Perez has big day
Pat Perez shot a 12-under-par 60 in the opening round of the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic in Palm Desert, Calif., joining some elite company.
Perez became only the 20th player in PGA Tour history to shoot 60 or lower. The record is 59, shared by David Duval, Chip Beck and Al Geiberger.
Consistently nestling his fairway shots close to the pin, Perez made 12 birdies and no bogeys over the 6,930-yard Arnold Palmer Course at PGA West for a three-shot lead over Chad Campbell.
Figure skating
Slutskaya wins short program
Irina Slutskaya captured the short program, putting the Russian in position to win and overtake Katarina Witt and Sonia Henie with her seventh title at the European Championships in Lyon, France.
Slutskaya skated early, but her score of 66.04 points held up. Russia’s Elena Sokolova was second at 60.88, followed by Switzerland’s Sarah Meier at 60.87.
Olympics
IOC might welcome U.S. bid
The IOC would welcome a U.S. bid for the 2016 Summer Games – provided the government doesn’t try to bar any nations as it has with Cuba at the World Baseball Classic.
The 16-team World Baseball Classic, scheduled for March 3-20, is organized by Major League Baseball and its players’ union. The U.S. Treasury Department denied MLB’s application for Cuba to play in the country.
“We would need to have guarantees in terms of immigration, of all athletes and all countries, to avoid this issue with Cuba,” IOC president Jacques Rogge said. “These are things we need to have.”
“Suspended coach Tim Nardiello and the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation were in an arbitration hearing for nine hours in Albany, N.Y., with no resolution. The sides will resume today.
College football
Judge dismisses rape charges
A judge threw out a gang rape case against six University of Tennessee-Chattanooga football players, ruling there was not enough evidence to prove that their sex with a female student was not consensual.
Hamilton County General Sessions Court Judge Clarence Shattuck said there was insufficient evidence to refer the case to a grand jury.
“Fresno State coach Pat Hill agreed to a contract extension through 2010 after interviewing for several NFL head coaching positions this month.
“New Mexico hired ex-UCLA head coach Bob Toledo as assistant head coach/offensive coordinator.
“Southern Mississippi coach Jeff Bower has agreed to a two-year extension, keeping him on the sideline through the 2009 season. Terms were unavailable.
Miscellany
Lilly scores in 300th game
Kristine Lilly scored the opening goal in her world-record 300th international game, leading the United States past Norway 3-1 at the Four Nations tournament in Guangzhou, China.
“Kyle Busch turned in the fastest lap on the final day of preseason testing at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. Last year’s top rookie turned a lap of 190.251 mph.
“Former NBA player Ralph Sampson, 45, has been indicted in Richmond, Va., on one count each of perjury and making a false claim. Sampson lied about his finances to obtain court-appointed counsel in a federal child support case.
“Wisconsin center Greg Stiemsma is taking a temporary leave of absence from the Badgers’ men’s basketball team for unspecified medical reasons.
“Texas Tech women’s basketball coach Marsha Sharp, was hospitalized and released after suffering flu-like symptoms.