USA goes to 5-0 in World Championships

WEDNESDAY @ THE COUPLE HEADLINES:

-USA rolls on in FIBA World Championships.

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-Rachel calls it a day.

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-Your Field Hockey reminder.

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-Another UofL vs. UK matchup.

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Kinda of a slow period for UofL women's sporting contests yesterday and today, so we'll catch up on a few items outside of the Lady Cards athletic endeavors.

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The USA squad went to 5-0 yesterday in the World Championships in the Czech Republic. Geno Auriemma's squad had no problems with Belarus in a 107-61 romp. "Big Syl" Sylvia Fowles led the way for the Americans with 15 points and 6 boards. A 37-11 first quarter advantage put this one out of reach early and USA led 58-28 at the half.

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Balanced scoring for Geno's squad on Tuesday. Diana Taurasi tallied 14 points in just fifteen minutes, Candice Dupree added 12, both Swin Cash and Maya Moore ended with 11 and Angel McCoughtry contributed nine points in 20 minutes of action.

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The big one is Wednesday against the Aussies. Seattle Storm center Lauren Jackson leads the "down under" squad into the contest with a perfect 5-0 record. Australia won the last edition of the World Championships in 2006...USA got the bronze.

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Glad to see that two of Angel's teammates on the Atlanta Dream are playing well in the worldwide competition. Sancho Lyttle (Spain) and Erika De Souza (Brazil) are in the top five scoring totals category. Atlanta Dream head coach Marynell Meadows is an assistant coach for the USA squad. All we need is the Miller twins to have a family reunion.

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2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra has hung up the saddle and retired to the breeding shed. The 4 year old filly will be bred to racing superstar Curlin. Although her 2010 races weren't always up to the standards we expected after her 2009 domination of the competition, the filly will forever have a place in my (and many others) heart for her breath-taking 20 length win in the 2009 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. I'll put only one race in history above that effort...Secretariat's destruction of the 1973 Bemont Stakes field.

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Shame we'll never get the Zenyatta vs. Rachel Alexandra matchup that fans clamored for. Rachel owes horse racing nothing, though...and we wish her the best of luck as a mare.

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Men's soccer travels to Lexington for another chapter in the Cards vs. Cats rivalry. Ken Lolla takes the Cards (5-0-2) to face a UK team that has forced overtime in five out of their last six matches. The Cats (3-4-1) start six freshmen in UK coach Ian Collins youth movement. Louisville is ranked #6 in the nation by College Soccer News.

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Have you made your plans for the noon Saturday Field Hockey showdown between #9 Louisville and #5 Connecticut? It's less than 72 hours away and it's a "white out" event. UofL is trying to set a single game attendance for the contest...so get there early for a good seat.

We'll be doing interviews with UofL head Field Hockey coach Pam Bustin and several of the stick swinging Cards tomorrow and we'll post them in the Friday edition of CARDINAL COUPLE. Thanks to women's athletic assistant S.I.D. Lori Korte for making the necessary arrangements and the UofL Field Hockey team for making themselves available.

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I wonder if I need to wear shin guards to the field?

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Mental note to me to see if I can find Sonja's old field hockey gear and load it up in the Villager just in case. Maybe they'll let me take a few shots on goal at Cardinal goalie Erin Conrad. Maybe I should pass if they do. No need to embarass myself anymore than I usually do...

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If you like what you see Saturday, c'mon back Sunday for another field hockey contest Team Cardinal faces the St. Louis Billikins at 1 p.m. at Trager Field.

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Nice job, Courier Journal. They list the Sunday game in their Seven-Day Planner in the sports section but make no mention of the Saturday game. I'm sure that's because they figured everyone knew about it already, right?

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Makes me wonder if some of our CARDINAL COUPLE chimps are moonlighting over there at the "One Great Newspaper"?

UofL womens sports pulls off the hat trick on Sunday

MONDAY @ CARDINAL COUPLE:

-Volleyball turns back Ohio in five sets

-Field Hockey blanks Central Michigan 9-0

-Soccer bests Bucknell 2-0

-Your weekly PANERA winner

-RACHEL runs second to longshot

University of Louisville women's sports teams swept the board and won all three events Sunday. If there was ever a better way to begin the week, it would be hard to fathom.

The Volley Cards, led by tournament MVP Anastasia Artemeva pictured here, outlasted tough Ohio University to win the Louisville Invitational in 5 sets...23-25, 25-22, 25-22, 16-25 15-9. It wasn't an easy win for the Cardinals but team play helped them finally turn back the Bobcats. Louisville fell behind early in the first match and despite a late rally that saw them take a 20-19 lead, couldn't catch Ohio and fell by two points. The Cards fought back in the second game and finally pulled away late to even the sets at 1-1...winning by three.

Louisville started out the third game with a 6-1 lead but Ohio battled back to tie the contest at 9-9. The Cards regained their confidence though and went on a run to take a 18-12 advantage and go on to win game 3 by 3. Game four was tight early but Ohio used a 9-4 run to grab a 13-9 lead that they would increase upon and even the match at 2-2...winning by nine.

In the final contest, Louisville jumped out to a 6-1 lead, thanks to some strong serving, but saw the Bobcats roar back and climb within one at 8-7. The Cards regained the momentum after that and took seven out of the final nine points to win the game by six and take the match.

Louisville got strong net play from Artemeva with 12 kills in the five game match. Teammates Gwen Rucker and Lola Arslanbekova also had 12 kills and Emily Juhl added 11. Taylor Brauneis led the squad with 36 assists.

Lindsey Mango and Juhl joined Artemeva on the All-Tournament team for Louisville. The Cards travel to Lexington Wednesday for a match against rival Kentucky.

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Pam Bustin's field hockey squad rebounded nicely from Saturday's loss to Duke to whitewash Central Michigan 9-0 in the consolation game of the Champions Challenge at Michigan State. Nicole Youman tied a team record by scoring five goals in the win. Louisville roared out to a 6-0 halftime lead against the Chippewas and coasted in for the victory. Louisville struck early in the contest with Youman knocking one in just two minutes into the contest. Just a few minutes later a Youman shot was tipped in by Amber Thomas to make it 2-0. Youman scored the third goal of the game seven minutes into the game on an assist from Thomas.

Rachel Hollenbach joined the scoring frenzy for goal 4 off an assist from Youman. The half drew to a close with Youman scoring on two unassisted goals, putting the Cards up by six.

The second half saw Louisville increase the margin to seven on a second Hollenbach score off a Thomas set up and Youman increased it to 8-0 minutes later on a penalty shot with assists from Jenna Ahern and Hayley Turner. Thomas closed out the UofL scoring late in the game on another penalty shot...Ahern and Karah Nall assisting.

The Cards outshot the Chippewas 38-3 in the game and goalie Erin Conrad got the shutout with two saves. The road trip continues for The Flock with a trip to Harrisonburg, VA. to face James Madison on the 4th and American University the 6th.

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Soccer stayed undefeated with a big win in the Gamecock Courtyard Classic finals over Bucknell 2-0. The contest started out a defensive battle before Angelika Uremovich got Louisville on the board with a long attempt that slid into the net 19 minutes into the contest. Lousiville took that 1-0 lead into halftime and protected it until late in the game when Julie Casselman slipped by the Bucknell goalie and knocked in an uncontested shot for the final margin.

The Cards placed goalkeeper Taylor Vancil on the All-Tournament team and she took MVP honors as well for her stingy goal allowance during the tournament. Cardinals joining her were Christine Exeter, Caitlin Rehder and Uremovich.

The Cards (3-0) kicked their way to a 19-6 advantage in shots in the final and are now off to their best start to a season since 2007. They return to action Friday Night in Cardinal Park...hosting Toledo.

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Kenny Clay is the proud owner of $10 in PANERA gift cards with his response on why he likes PANERA:

"I travel around the area as a sales rep and I can dine at Panera in Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green and Owensboro. Even in Evansville. It's the same good food and friendly faces no matter which location I'm in. It's a relief to see that PANERA sign off the highway when I am travelling because I know I am going to get a good breakfast or lunch."

Good summation Kenny. This week will be the final week to win PANERA Gift Cards. Thanks to all who have submitted entries and good luck in the final week!

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RACHEL ALEXANDRA dueled with LIFE AT TEN for most of the Personal Ensign Stakes on Sunday at Saratoga...but it was longshot PERSISTENTLY that snuck up on the two in the stretch and passed to win. PERSISTENTLY has the champion filly PERSONAL ENSIGN in her bloodlines but was overlooked by the betting public. RACHEL ALEXANDRA finished second with a game try late to keep up with the flying winner...but it looks like a mile and a quarter just might be a little too far for Calvin Borel's mount to run...

An across the board wager on RACHEL ALEXANDRA didn't return quite what you wagered on it, but an exacta box wheel with RACHEL and all did double your investment money. With the loss, the owner and trainer of the 3 yr. old filly must now decide whether to place her in the shorter LADIES CLASSIC Friday in the Breeders Cup or try the tougher CLASSIC at 1-1/4 miles on Saturday. Here's guessing they opt for the LADIES CLASSIC... avoiding a tussle against ZENYATTA and some tough males that will go in the CLASSIC.

Volleyball tonight!

FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE PRESENTS:

-Volleyball tonight!

-She's back...

-Geno finds some creative financing

The University of Louisville volleyball team takes the floor tonight at 7 p.m. against North Dakota State in Cardinal Arena. You say you haven't checked out the Volley Cards before? Do yourself a favor and attend a match or two. This isn't your typical back yard Sunday afternoon knock the ball around stuff...where someone usually sprains an ankle and the big fat guy ends up face first in Aunt Ginny's potato salad.

It's a fast paced, exciting affair...where the spikes, blocks and serves whiz by on the court with incredible speed and accuracy. Sophomore Lola Arslanbeckova (pictured right) is one of the best kill shot artist in the college game and Louisville is the defending Big East Tournament Champions. Al Greener will have the pep band there, Louie the Cardinal Bird will be on hand and you'll also probably run into a few of Jeff Walz's Lady Cards watching the matches.

Can't make the Friday night game? Not to worry...the Volley Cards take the court again on Sunday against Ohio U. at 2 p.m.

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Our favorite filly RACHEL ALEXANDRIA returns to the track Sunday in the $300,000 Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga. She'll face four opponents in the 1 1/4 mile dirt race and could face some keen competition from Todd Pletcher trained LIFE AT TEN. It's the first time Rachel has gone a mile and a quarter. LIFE AT TEN has won six races in a row, including the 1 1/4 mile Delaware Handicap.

This race could determine which race RACHEL will be entered in for the Breeders Cup at Churchill Downs. A strong showing at this distance could make her a candidate for the $5 million dollar CLASSIC. against the boys. If she can't get the distance...they'll probably point her to the 1 1/8th mile LADIES CLASSIC.

Calvin Borel rides the Steve Asmussen trained filly. Go get 'em, RACHEL!

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Ok, who dressed this guy? This is a photo of a bank robbery. The criminal obviously wanted to bump his contribution level to the Connecticut women's basketball program...deciding to wear the 78 wins in a row UConn t-shirt.

(It almost looks like former UofL head football coach Bobby Petrino under the cap...but we know Coach is financially set until 2525.)

Detectives in the case should be casing the Huskies first home game to see if the robber is in the front row. According to witness, the assailant wasn't carrying a weapon...but had Tina Charles standing by the exit...ready to post up and take out any would be heroes (just kidding on that last part.)

If apprehended, he should be forced to buy season tickets and sit thru a season of Rutgers' womens' basketball. Nothing is greater punishment for a UConn fan....

I wonder if the perfect crime would be me knocking off a 7-11 in a UK t-shirt. No one would see that coming...

(Thanks to They're Playing Basketball owner Sue Favor for this great find...)

Conrad selelcted for USA Field Hockey squad

CONRAD MAKES NATIONAL TEAM. THE RETURN OF RACHEL. WHO WANTS $10?

University of Louisville sophomore goalkeeper Erin Conrad

has been selected for the USA Under 21 Field Hockey team. Conrad received an invitation to try out for the squad after her outstanding

goal keeping duties during the national championships with the USA Field Hockey High Performance Midwest team.

The USA team will compete in tournaments in Asia next year. For Conrad, it is just another jewel in the crown of success she has worn since her high school days.

Pam Bustin speaks very highly of her goalkeeper:

"I am so proud of her. She was persistent and diligent throughout her journey to make the squad. Not an easy journey for her...but she never gave up and achieved this great opportunity to train and play for the national program."

Conrad was the only player from UofL to be selected for the team, out of four Cardinals who received tryout invitations. She arrived on the UofL campus in 2008 and took a redshirt year.

In, 2009...she assumed the goalkeeping duties and will be a key component in the Cardinal's defense for 2010.

Field hockey is a family thing for the Wilkes-Barre, PA native. Her sister Lindsey played for Syracuse. She is one of three Cardinals to ever make the USA team...joining Janelle Avila (2006-07) and Jessica Javelet (2004-05).

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RACHEL ALEXANDRA returns to the track Saturday in the $400,000 Lady's Secret Stakes at Monmouth Park in New Jersey. Last seen, she was romping the field in the Churchill Downs Fleur de Lis...winning impressively by 10 1/2 lengths.

She's been training well for Saturday's race and busted 4 furlongs in 49.60 in a Monday workout at Saratoga. She'll face 6 rivals in the 1 mile race...including FABULOUS BABE and STAGE TRICK. If she handles the field as expected, she could be headed to the 1 1/4 mile Personal Ensign or the Woodward Stakes...both at Saratoga later this summer. RACHEL was the first filly

to win the Woodard last year. Steve Asmussen trains and regular rider Calvin Borel invades the Jersey Shore to take the mount.

Look out for LE MI GEAUX as a prime contender for 2 yr old fillies. She romped thru the slop at Saratoga yesterday to win the Schuylerville Stakes by 2 lengths. She rallied from far back to win the 6 furlong race and looked like she could have gone another 4 furlongs quite easily. Apprentice jockey Freddie Lenclud rode for Richard Dutrow. She pleased a lot of backers, including me, by paying $20.20 for a 2 dollar win ticket. In case you're not up on your Cajun...it's pronounced "Lemme Go!"

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Who wants $10 bucks? You have today and tomorrow to tell us why you like PANERA. Best e-mail gets the gift cards. Send those brilliant essays to cardinalcouple@insightbb.com or just toss one in the comments section here. PANERAAAA....YUMMMMM!

We'll announce the winner Monday. Don't fret if you don't win the first week...you'll have the next 4 weeks to "git er done."

Kentucky defeats Indiana in Girls All-Star Game 94-87

University of Louisville signee Antonita Slaughter had 20 points, six steals and three threes against the Hoosiers in Conseco Fieldhouse in the come from behind overtime win for Kentucky Saturday night. Slaughter's layup with 13 seconds remaining tied the score in regulation.

"This means a lot," Slaughter commented after the game. Every shot counts. Last night's game (a 93-83 loss to Indiana at Bellarmine)gave us fire to come out here and beat Indiana on their home court."

The Kentucky team got a big boost from Bellarmine signee and Mercy grad Therese Montano in the extra session. She hit four free throws in the final 13 seconds to preserve the win afer Indiana had fought back to get within three at 90-87. The Kentucky squad forced Indiana into 29 turnovers Saturday.

UK signees Samantha Drake and Sarah Beth Barnette helped the cause for the Commonwealth. Drake totalled 16 points and 11 boards. Barnette added 12 points and seven carombs. The Kentucky squad was led by Middle Tennessee signee Ebony Rowe with 26 points and 13 rebounds.

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Marion County sophomore-to-be Kyvin Goodin-Rogers is a long way from hitting college but she already has a leading choice on where she's thinking about matriculation.

Louisville.

"I'm liking Louisville a lot right now. They would be the leader. I like Jeff Walz a lot." Goodin-Rogers recently told the Courier-Journal. She and fellow sophomore Makalya Epps are considered to be two of the top 100 players in the Class of 2013 nationwide.

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Louisville's Mercy Academy made it to the final game in the Kentucky State Girls Softball Tournament in Owensboro yesterday but fell to Reidland 8-6 in the championship. The Jags came out of the losers bracket in the double elimination format...defeating Green County 3-2 , knocking off Christian County 3-1 and sending Allen County-Scottsville home 4-1.

They advanced to the championships and had to beat Reidland twice for the title. After knocking off Reidland in the first game 8-4...they lost the nightcap.They didn't go down without a fight, though. Down 8-5 in their last at bat, they led off the inning with four straight singles and had the bases loaded with no outs. A line out to the Reidland pitcher Cassee Layne led to a double play and Layne struck out the final Mercy batter to get out of the jam. Layne was selected tournament MVP.

If Mercy had prevailed, they would have become the first school in Kentucky history to win the state basketball, volleyball and softball championships in the same year.


Five games in 90 degree weather. Hats off to the Jags for the effort.

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RACHEL ALEXANDRA destroyed four competitors yesterday in the Fluer De Lis Handicap at Churchill Downs. She dusted the rivals by 10 lengths in the 1 1/8 mile contest...coming within one second of the track record. RACHEL engaged JESSICA IS BACK for seven furlongs on the lead, put that one away as they turned into the stretch and romped home with Calvin Borel aboard to a roaring grandstand and clubhouse crowd.

Welcome back, oh ye Queen of Churchill Downs...

Not going to brag about it...but if you had followed our advice in Saturday's blog about the Stephen Foster Handicap...you would have made a handsome profit. BLAME put away BATTLE PLAN in the stretch to win by about a length and GENERAL QUARTERS held on for third.

How great it was yesterday to hear Churchill Downs bugler Steve Buttelman play the Stephen Foster classic songs like "Camptown Races", "Oh, Susannah" and "Sewannee River". He also does a fine job on "My Old Kentucky Home."

ZENYATTA, the other top female thoroughobred in the nation runs today in the Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park. ZENYATTA has won her last 16 races in a row and with a win today would claim the modern day record for victories by a thoroughbred in non-restricted races.

Good luck, big girl. Hope to see you at the Breeders Cup at Churchill Downs this November. Everyone is wanting a RACHEL vs. ZENYATTA matchup and let's hope it will happen this fall at Churchill.

Mercy survives in State Softball Tournament

Louisville Mercy went 2-1 yesterday in the State Softball Tournament in Owensboro...beating Scott County 7-1 and Clark County 11-1. They reached the winners' bracket semifinals but lost to Reidland 11-6 to drop back down to the losers bracket in the double elimination format. They face Green County today.

For PRP, the results weren't as good. They won their first game of the day 13-9 over Ryle but lost to Christian County 6-1 and Green County 4-0 to be eliminated from the tournament.

If Mercy advances, they'd play winner of the North Laurel vs. Christian County losers braacket game. A win there would put them against the loser of the Reidland vs. Allen County-Scottsville winners bracket game. Then, they'd have to beat the winner of that game twice to claim the title.

Sounds like a long afternoon of softball for the Jags if they want to bring the trophy and title back to Fegenbush Lane.


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Kentucky All-Star High School girls with a tough loss Friday night to Indiana at Bellarmine. The Hoosier prevail 93-83 despite 18 points from UofL signee Antonita Slaughter. UK signee Samantha Drake led the Kentucky squad with 21. They'll try again Saturday night up in Indy at the Conseco Fieldhouse.

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RACHEL ALEXANDRA returns to the track today at Churchill Downs...facing four competitors in the $200,000 Fleur de Lis handicap. Track the track conditions today...if it's raining and the going is sloppy...she could be vunerable to JESSICA IS BACK. If it's dry and fast....they're not gonna get her today.

The $600,000 Stephen Foster Handicap is the main event on the card today. 11 runners will try the 1 1/8 mile race. CARDINAL COUPLE is hearing very, very good things about BATTLE PLAN...the Todd Pletcher trained stud. He'll probably go off as the favorite and there is a whole lot to like about this one. Javier Castellano gets the ride. Our buddy Paul McGee has DEMARCATION entered...30-1 morning line but those odds will mean nothing if the conditions are sloppy. Be forewarned...they scratched this horse out of the Opening Verse Stakes last night to run him today. A very live longshot. Paco Lopez flies in to ride Richard Dutrow's ARSON SQUAD. BLAME gets a horrible post draw but has the services of Garrett Gomez. I'll use these four in an exacta. We'll also try a tri wheel with BLAME and BATTLE PLAN on top, add the four above in second and toss in GENERAL QUARTERS and MACHO AGAIN with these for the 3rd spot.

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Last night's Friday Under the Lights at Churchill Downs was a 70's theme and it was wall to wall people. I heard at least 25,000 in attendance...and the music was just as good the racing. Boogie fever...

Cards represented in NCAA Track and Field Championships

(Thanks to Karen for the great picture of this cardinal couple)

Day One of the NCAA Track and Field Championships in Eugene, OR has come to a close and one UofL womens' participant has already made her mark. D'Ana McCarty finished ninth in the discus throw. She'll also take part in the hammer throw Thursday with Cardinal teammates Jere' Summers and Lindsey Cook.

Charachesica Lockhart will compete in the long jump for UofL Thursday also.

For the men, senior Andre Black took fourth place honors in the triple jump. Steeplechase star Matt Hughes will run in the 3,000 meter finals after winning his preliminary heat yesterday. Hughes has the nation's best time in the event with a smoking 8:34:37.

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Much excitement about RACHEL ALEXANDRA's entry in the Fluer De Lis Handicap race this Saturday at Churchill Downs. The 4 yr. old mare will face 4 challengers and is expected to go off at 2/5 odds. Rachel has been training beautifully for her race and will draw the services of Churchill favorite Calvin Borel as jockey.

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Churchill is presenting the first Friday night of racing this Spring Meet tomorrow.
These events were attended quite well last year...with over 30,000 in attendance for each night of racing. Seeing the Downs under the lights is a great experience if you've never been. There will be plenty of live entertainment, drink specials and good fields for the Friday night card. First post is 6 p.m.

Softball Cards drop two in Red & Black Classic

Brittany York and her University of Louisville softball teammates lost both games of the first day of the Red and Black Classic Saturday at Ulmer Stadium.

Tough afternoon for Sandy Pearsall's squad on the diamond yesterday...falling 2-1 to Hofstra and 9-5 to #5 Michigan.

The Cards began the day against the Pride and fell behind early 2-0 when the Hofstra hitters tallied both runs in the top of the first inning. The Cards got one back in the sixth when Kristen Austin singled and scored on a Vanessa James single but couldn't produce any more runs in the inning or the rest of the game. Kristen Wadwell took the loss for Louisville, allowing 7 hits and striking out 6 in 7 innings of work.

Louisville started out huge against Michigan in the next game, jumping out to a 5-0 lead after two innings. Jordan Trimble's three run base clearer in the second inning had the Cards in great shape to win the game, but Michigan roared back with 4 runs in the third and 4 more in the fifth to grab a 8-5 advantage. They would tack on an insurance run the sixth with Nikki Nemitz driving in her fourth RBI of the game on a sacrifice fly. Wadwell (6-5) took the loss in the second game also, allowing 5 runs on 5 hits in 3 innings of relief. Chelsea Leonard started the game for the Cards and went 4 innings...allowing 4 runs.

The Cards take back to the field today, weather permitting, against both Hofstra and Michigan today. Opening pitch against Hofstra is scheduled for 2 p.m. and they face Michigan at 4 p.m.

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Congratulation to Louisville's Mercy Academy for winning the 2010 Kentucky Girls High School basketball tournament in Bowling Green Saturday night with a 71-61 win over Scott County in the final game. Mercy battled to a 35-32 lead at halftime but came out with a strong 3rd quarter, outscoring Scott County 20-12 and maintained the lead for the win. Julianne Miller netted 23 points for the Jaguars and Malisa Cruz added 12 points and 14 rebounds to lead Mercy past the Lady Cardinals. Kristin Stainback led Scott County with 26 points in the defeat.

Mercy advanced to the final game with a 53-45 win over Rowan County Saturday morning and Scott County punched their ticket to the final with a 62-59 win over Rockcastle County. The Jaguars took a 24-11 halftime lead over Rowan County in the semifinal and held on for the win. Ellen Sholtes had 22 points for Mercy, including 11-14 from the charity stripe.

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Two great horses races yesterday for the top two fillies and mares. Zenyatta roared from dead last in the stretch to win at Santa Anita but Rachel Alexandra could not hold off Zardana in the final furlong at Fairgrounds and finished second by half a length. Zardana, ironically, is the stable mate of Zenyatta and both horses are trained by John Shirreffs and owned by Jerry Moss.

After the race, Rachel Alexandra's trainer Steve Assmussen refused to commit to the highly anticipated match up between his filly and Zenyatta in the April 9th Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park. Assmussen did not expect Rachel to get beat and vowed to be more cautious with her future races, citing a possible lack of training as the reason she lost at the Fairgrounds. The $5 million purse for the Apple Blossom is only guaranteed if both Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra run.

Congratulations to my better half Sonja, who correctly predicted that Zardana would top Rachel Alexandra and made a huge score in exacta, trifecta and Pick 3 wagers. She's buying Sunday brunch. For the whole restaurant.

Written by Paul
3/14/10

McCarty repeats as NCAA Champ

Louisville junior D'Ana McCarty won the NCAA Women's Indoor Weight Throw for the second consecutive year at the NCAA Championship Track and Field events held at the University of Arkansas. McCarty beat her previous record throw by eight inches and dominated the competition in Fayetteville...winning the event by almost 4 feet over the runner up.

McCarty has not been defeated in over two years and has won eighteen consecutive matches in the weight throw. Teammate Jere Summers also competed in the event but fouled on her throws and did not get an official toss in.

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Softball goes to the plate at noon today in the first day of the Red and Black Classic at Ulmer Stadium. The Cards will play two games today and two tomorrow, facing Michigan and Hofstra each day.

The Cards go on the road after this weekend's Classic to participate in the Judy Garmen Classic in Fullerton, CA. Arizona, Texas, Purdue, New Mexico, Cal State Northridge and Cal State Fullerton are the other teams in the 4 day event. Louisville will play each team once...beginning with Arizona at noon on Thursday, March 18th.

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Louisville's Mercy Academy has advanced to the Kentucky Girls High School State Tournament Final Four with a win over Henderson County 71-57. Therese Montano led for Jaguars in double figures with 16 points and nine boards.

The Jags (25-8) get Rowan County (22-8) today at 11 a.m. and would face the winner of the Scott County vs. Rockcastle County game if they can win. Rockcastle County had been dominating in the Houchens Industries/KHSAA girls' Sweet 16...beating Murray 69-36 and Clark County 56-45. Scott County advanced to the Final Four with a exciting 67-66 win over Boone County in overtime. Kristen Stainback drilled a three pointer with 4 seconds remaining to give the Lady Cardinals the boost to Saturday action.

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The top two fillies in horse racing take to the track today in preparation for their square off in April. Zenyatta will will face eight competitors in the Santa Margarita Handicap at Santa Anita and Rachel Alexandria will get tested by four fillies in the New Orleans Ladies' Stakes at Fairgrounds. They'll face each other for the first time ever on April 9th. in the $5 million Apple Blossom Invitational at Oaklawn. Go get 'em Rachel...we all know that you'll dust today's competition and then top Zenyatta next.

Written by Paul
3/13/10