In brief: Life Is Sweet wins Ladies’ Classic

Horse Racing: Life Is Sweet led a parade of long shots to the winner’s circle at the Breeders’ Cup on Friday, with the stablemate of Zenyatta scoring a 2 1/2 -length victory in the $2 million Ladies’ Classic.

Life Is Sweet ran 11/8 miles in 1:48.58 and paid $18.20, $8 and $5 at 8-1 odds.

Man of Iron opened the card with a thrilling nose victory over 9-year-old gelding Cloudy’s Knight in the $500,000 Marathon, with a time of 2:54.11.

Midday gave Europe its other victory, winning the $2 million Filly & Mare Turf by a length.

She Be Wild charged along the rail to win the $2 million Juvenile Fillies by three-quarters of a length. She ran 11/16 miles in 1:43.80.

The $1 million Juvenile Fillies Turf was won by Tapitsfly, who held off Rose Catherine by a half-length.

Informed Decision won the $1 million Filly & Mare Sprint by 1 1/4 lengths over defending champion Ventura.

Woods shoots 67 to share lead at HSBC

Golf: Tiger Woods realized that no one was pulling away at the HSBC Champions, so he settled into a good groove with the putter and made sure he caught them at Sheshan International in Shanghai.

Woods birdied five of his last 10 holes for another 5-under-par 67, giving him a share of the 36-hole lead with Nick Watney in the final World Golf Championship of the year.

They were one shot clear of Phil Mickelson, Ryan Moore (69) and Alvaro Quiros.

Roy lifts Trail Blazers over visiting Spurs

Basketball: Brandon Roy had 24 points and five rebounds, Steve Blake added 15 points and the Portland Trail Blazers got a lift from their new-look lineup in a 96-84 NBA home win over the San Antonio Spurs.

Richard Jefferson had 19 points, Manu Ginobili had 17, and Tim Duncan added 14 points and eight rebounds, but San Antonio lost Tony Parker to a sprained ankle and couldn’t overcome a lethargic first half, playing one night after a loss at Utah.

Bulls’ Thomas breaks arm, out 4-6 weeks: Chicago Bulls forward Tyrus Thomas broke his left forearm during a weight training session and will have surgery.

He could miss 4-6 weeks.

In four games this season, the fourth-year player from LSU is averaging eight points and five rebounds in 21 minutes.

•Kings’ Martin out at least 8 weeks: Sacramento Kings leading scorer Kevin Martin will be sidelined for about two months after deciding to undergo surgery on his injured wrist.

Martin will have the operation on his left wrist on Monday and is expected to miss at least eight weeks.

Martin has a non displaced hairline fracture of the navicular bone in his wrist.

Roethlisberger’s accuser quits job

NFL: The woman who filed a lawsuit accusing Ben Roethlisberger of raping her has quit her job at the Lake Tahoe (Nev.) hotel-casino where she claims the assault occurred in the NFL quarterback’s penthouse room more than a year ago “because of the way Harrah’s was treating her,” said her lawyer Cal Dunlap.

Roethlisberger has denied the allegations and maintains the woman acted voluntarily at all times while in his room.

•Broncos, Law agree to terms: Defensive back Ty Law has agreed to terms on a deal with the Denver Broncos.

Law is expected to sign the deal today, pending the passing of his physical.

He may even make it out to practice as the Broncos (6-1) prepare to host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night.

Gordon earns first pole of season

NASCAR: Jeff Gordon is suddenly having all kind of success at Texas Motor Speedway, a track where he had never won until earlier this season.

Gordon captured his first pole of the season, waiting until the third-to-last race to extend his streak of 17 consecutive seasons with a pole, with a qualifying lap of 191.117 mph at the 1 1/2 -mile, high-banked Texas track. Sunday’s race is the third from the last in the Chase for the Championship series.

•Kenseth takes Nationwide pole: Matt Kenseth will start on the pole for the NASCAR Nationwide Series at Texas, five spots ahead of points leader Kyle Busch. Kenseth earned his first pole in his 13 Nationwide races this season, the 16th in his career, with a qualifying lap of 187.201 mph in his Ford.

David Ragan also starts his Ford on the front row today.

•Busch races to fifth straight Trucks win: Kyle Busch started his Texas tripleheader with another NASCAR Trucks Series victory. Busch has won each of his last five truck races.

Avalanche perfect at home after win

Miscellany: Chris Stewart scored in the eighth round of the shootout, helping the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche remain unbeaten at home with a 4-3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks at Denver.

Ryan O’Reilly scored twice for Colorado in regulation.

•U.S. will play for gold at World Juniors: At Summerside, Prince Edward Island, the United States beat Russia 6-3 and will play for the gold medal at the 2009 World Junior A Hockey Challenge against Canada West.