Associated Press
NEW YORK ó Trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. has plans for Big Brown beyond the Belmont Stakes, even though there is speculation the unbeaten colt will be retired following his attempt to become the first Triple Crown champion in 30 years.
iNo one told me that,î Dutrow said when Big Brown first arrived at Belmont Park earlier in the week, adding a few days later, iour plan is the Belmont, Travers and Breedersí Cup. We are going to show up if our horse is good and ready.î
Dutrow has been consistent in his comments since Big Brown won the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, a day in which majority owners IEAH Stables sold breeding rights to Three Chimneys Farm in Kentucky for reportedly more than $50 million.
COLLEGE HOOPS
COLUMBIA, S.C. ó South Carolina forward Chad Gray was dismissed from the menís basketball team by new coach Darrin Horn.
Horn said Gray, who is a sophomore, was let go for repeated violations of team rules.
NBA
There is little doubt that the Knicks will shop for a point guard this summer, but at least one has come shopping for them. According to a person with knowledge of the situation, the Warriorsí Baron Davis has made inquiries into the interest of certain teams around the league, including the Knicks.
NFL
TRENTON, N.J. ó The Super Bowl champion New Jersey Giants?
That name canít be found in the NFL standings, and the Giants helmets are emblazoned with a bold iNYî logo. But it was nevertheless proclaimed Thursday by New Jersey senators honoring this yearís Super Bowl champions.
iWhether youíre a football fan or not, Iím sure you found yourself caught up in the hype this past winter with the success of the New Jersey Giants,î said Sen. Paul Sarlo, D-Bergen. iI emphasize the New Jersey Giants.î
Sarloís district includes Giants Stadium, where the Giants have played since 1976 while retaining their New York moniker.
And though the Giants tell the world theyíre from New York, Garden State senators said their come-from-behind attitude represented more of a Jersey mentality.
NHL
RALEIGH ó The Carolina Hurricanes have signed their third-round draft pick from 2006.
The Hurricanes said Thursday that forward Harrison Reed has agreed to a three-year entry contract.
The two-way deal will pay Reed an average of $500,000 at the NHL level and $55,000 per season in the minor leagues. The 20-year-old also will receive a signing bonus of $100,000.
MLB
VERO BEACH, Fla. ó David Price pitched five scoreless innings Thursday night for Class-A Vero Beach in his long-awaited professional debut, about a year after he was drafted No. 1 overall by Tampa Bay.