HORSE RACING

KENTUCKY DERBY DOUBLES PURSE

Churchill Downs doubled the size of the Kentucky Derby’s purse on yesterday, increasing the total prize for the first leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown to $2 million.

The winner’s share of the May 7 race will account for 62% of the guaranteed purse, or at least $1.24 million. The purse for the Derby has been $1 million guaranteed since 1996. Churchill Downs will provide a minimum of $1.1 million of the $2 million purse. To help pay for the higher purse, the track reallocated $375,000 from purses for other stakes races – including scratching one race the Kentucky Breeders’ Cup for 2-year-olds – and raised entry and start fees for the Derby to $25,000 from $15,000.

FOOTBALL

JAGUARS, BEARS FIRE OFFENSIVE COORDINATORS

Jaguars offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave was fired yesterday after Jacksonville finished last in the AFC and 29th in the league in scoring. Musgrave was heavily criticized during the season for not getting the most out of an offense that featured running back Fred Taylor, receiver Jimmy Smith, and emerging quarterback Byron Leftwich.

Also yesterday, the Chicago Bears fired offensive coordinator Terry Shea after a season in which the team had one of the NFL’s worst offenses. The Bears ranked last in six major statistical categories, including scoring and total yards. The Bears had more fumbles (21) than offensive touchdowns (19).

BASEBALL

DODGERS AGREE TO TERMS WITH PEREZ, BRADLEY

Odalis Perez agreed to re-sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers yesterday, tentatively coming to terms on a $24 million, three-year contract. Perez was 7-6 with a 3.25 ERA in 31 starts last year. He led the majors with 18 no-decisions and had the worst run support among NL starters.

The Dodgers also resigned outfielder Milton Bradley to a $2.5 million, one-year contract. Bradley had career highs in homers (19), RBIs (67), runs (72), and hits (138) last season, although he made as much news because of his temper.

HOCKEY

CANADIAN JUNIORS WIN GOLD

Canada put on a dominating display to win the gold medal at the world junior championship last night with a 6-1 win over Russia.

After finishing second the last three years in this tournament, Canada left nothing in doubt by scoring four times in the second period. Canada scored three power-play goals and its penalty killers held the vaunted Russian power-play to one lone goal in the first period.

It was the first world junior title for Canada since 1997, when the country capped a run of five straight gold medals.

In the bronze medal game, Petr Vrana scored at 2:38 of overtime to give the Czech Republic a 3-2 victory over the defending champion United States. Vrana, a second-round pick of the Devils, skated around U.S. defenseman Jeff Likens and slid a soft shot through goalie Al Montoya’s legs.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

MARYLAND ROMPS OVER MOUNT ST. MARY’S

John Gilchrist and Nik Caner-Medley each scored 17 points and no. 22 Maryland (9-2) cruised to their fifth straight victory, 85-53, over Mount St. Mary’s last night.

– Associated Press