Lava Man wins Hollywood Gold Cup
Lava Man held off Ace Blue by a nose to win the $750,000 Hollywood Gold Cup on Saturday in Inglewood, Calif. and become the first repeat winner since Native Diver in the 1960s.
Ridden by Corey Nakatani, Lava Man ran 1 1/4 miles in 2:01.16 and paid $3.20, $2.60 and $2.10 as the heavy wagering favorite in the field of five.
Ace Blue rallied in the stretch and finished second for owners Sid and Jenny Craig, the weight-loss maven.
“I’m scared to see the photo it was such a close finish,” trainer Doug O’Neill said.
A year ago, Patrick Valenzuela was aboard Lava Man as they won the Gold Cup by a record 8 3/4 lengths. This time, Valenzuela rode Magnum, who took the early lead after Lava Man stumbled badly leaving the gate.
But Nakatani righted Lava Man and they stalked Magnum much of the way before rallying in the closing strides. Lava Man’s nose victory tied the record for shortest winning margin.
•English Channel took the lead at the top of the stretch and posted a half-length victory over an elite field in the $750,000 United Nations Stakes in Oceanport, N.J. as Monmouth Park resumed racing after a new budget agreement in New Jersey ended a state-ordered shutdown.
Ridden by John Velazquez, English Channel ran 1 3/8 miles over Monmouth’s new turf course in 2:13.1 in winning for the third time in four starts this year. It made amends for a close fourth-place finish at Belmont Park last month.
Football
Player shot to death
New Mexico State linebacker Shana Leaupepe was killed in a drive-by shooting.
Leaupepe, 21, died Friday in Long Beach, Calif. Leaupepe was visiting family when he was killed.
“Shana was an outstanding young man, and we are shocked that this has happened,” coach Hal Mumme said in a statement.
•Tennessee Tech coach Mike Hennigan has resigned after 10 years with the Golden Eagles, saying he no longer can deal with the physical demands of the job.
Track and Field
Jones running well
Marion Jones ran her fastest time in nearly four years, winning the 100 meters in 10.93 seconds at the Gaz de France meet in Saint-Denis, France.
It was her best time since June 2003.
Jones has a career best of 10.65 set in 1998.
Hockey
Poti joins Islanders
Tom Poti is leaving the Rangers, but the veteran NHL defenseman is staying in New York.
The 29-year-old Poti joined the rival Islanders by signing a one-year deal after three-plus, up-and-down seasons on Broadway.