Sports Desk
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
HORSERACING
LAWYER RON FAVORED IN BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC
Lawyer Ron was made the slight favorite over Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense and Preakness winner Curlin yesterday for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Lawyer Ron, a runaway winner in the Whitney Handicap and the Woodward Stakes, finished a game second to Curlin in the Jockey Club Gold Cup in his last start. Street Sense, who also won the Jim Dandy and the Travers, was second to Hard Spun in the Kentucky Cup Classic.
A nine-horse field was entered for Saturday’s 1-mile Classic, with 4-year-old Lawyer Ron the 5-2 choice and 3-year-olds Street Sense and Curlin the co-second picks at 3-1.
FOOTBALL
CHARGERS LEAVE FIRES FOR ARIZONA; GAME SITE UNCERTAIN
The San Diego Chargers don’t know where or when they’ll play their next game.
While they spent yesterday taking care of their families and trying to find out if their homes survived the wildfires sweeping Southern California, the Chargers were busy yesterday preparing to fly to Phoenix to practice at the Arizona Cardinals’ suburban headquarters.
That means three days of hotels and bus rides and an unfamiliar workplace while wondering what’s going on back home.
“Obviously how we handle that will have an impact on how it turns out on Sunday,” quarterback Philip Rivers said.
BASEBALL
RED SOX LEAVE WAKEFIELD OFF WORLD SERIES ROSTER
Knuckleballer Tim Wakefield is being left off Boston’s roster for the World Series because of a bad shoulder.
The 41-year-old Wakefield fought through back problems late in the season and was kept off the roster for the first-round series against the Los Angeles Angels. He has pitched once since September 29, allowing five runs in 4.2 innings in Game 4 of the AL championship series against the Cleveland Indians.
Also yesterday, Red Sox manager Terry Francona said Jacoby Ellsbury would start Game 1 in center field in place of Coco Crisp.
SOCCER
NIKE TO ACQUIRE BRITISH SOCCER SUPPLIER UMBRO
Nike announced plans to acquire Britain’s Umbro yesterday, continuing its aggressive moves in the field of soccer in an attempt to gain a larger international market presence in the sport.
The acquisition is a major step for the American apparel and shoe maker, which has said it wants to become soccer’s top brand by the next World Cup in 2010.
Nike’s soccer brand has performed well and grown in recent years, but Umbro’s ties to the United Kingdom, where Nike has struggled, should boost the company’s profile and performance.