In brief: Awesome Gem wins Longacres

HORSE RACING: It took an awesome horse to spoil the day for local hero Noosa Beach in the 76th running of the $200,000 Longacres Mile at Emerald Downs in Auburn, Wash.

Awesome Gem, that is.  The 8-year-old gelding had already earned more money than any horse to run in the state of Washington, and he added the $110,000 winner’s share by racing past Noosa Beach in the stretch for a 1 1/2-length victory in the Grade III race, the premier race in the Northwest.

 Awesome Gem came up a half-length short as the favorite in the 2009 Longacres Mile, losing to Assessment. Awesome Gem was a slight favorite again Sunday, despite being at an age when most horses are either retired or past their prime.

 The old-timer made the bettors look like geniuses. Southern California-based jockey David Flores (pictured) kept pacesetter Noosa Beach in his sight from the start, knowing he was the horse to beat. Flores began asking his horse to move closer from midpack after about a half-mile, confronted Noosa Beach before the stretch and gradually pulled away.

Seattle Times

S.F. police seek witnesses

Police interviewed witnesses and looked for suspects Sunday after two men were shot and wounded following a San Francisco 49ers-Oakland Raiders preseason game, while the mayors of the two cities jointly called for an end to “intimidation” and acts of violence at sporting events.

Saturday night’s shooting in the parking lot at Candlestick Park evoked memories of the near-fatal beating in March of a San Francisco Giants fan outside Dodger Stadium.

In Saturday’s attacks, a 24-year-old man, who reportedly was wearing a T-shirt with an anti-49ers message, remained hospitalized in critical condition Sunday after being shot several times in the stomach. He had managed to stumble to Candlestick Park stadium security for help despite the severe injuries, police said.

A second victim, a 20-year-old man, was treated for less serious wounds in a separate shooting, also after the game.

Apart from the shootings, a third victim was hospitalized in serious condition Sunday after he was knocked unconscious in a stadium bathroom during the football game. That attack appeared unrelated to the other two, authorities said.

Associated Press