John Henry is euthanized

Thoroughbred great John Henry, two-time horse of the year who earned more than $6.5 million before retiring to the Kentucky Horse Park, was euthanized Monday at Lexington. Ky. He was 32.

Park spokeswoman Lisa Jackson said the Hall of Famer’s health had declined over the weekend. He had lost considerable body mass and was in kidney failure, she said.

He was retired 22 years ago to the park, where he was beloved by the public and, along with stablemate Cigar, one of the park’s biggest attractions.

Foaled March 9, 1975, and an average runner early in his career, John Henry was the highest money-earning thoroughbred in history when he retired in 1985.

The gelded son of Old Bob Bowers out of Once Double won four Grade I races and horse of the year honors at age 6 and 9 and collected seven Eclipse awards from 1980 to 1984.

Chris McCarron, who rode John Henry in 14 of his last races, said: “John meant the world to my family and me. Everywhere he raced, his presence doubled the size of a normal racetrack crowd. He did so much for racing, even after he retired, that he will be impossible to replace.”

In his career, John Henry earned 39 victories, 15 seconds and nine thirds in 83 starts and earned $6,597,947. He was inducted into thoroughbred racing’s Hall of Fame in 1990.

Lava Man, who finished sixth and last as the 13-10 favorite in Sunday’s Oak Tree Mile at Santa Anita, is being pointed for the Oak Tree meet’s $250,000 California Cup Classic Nov. 3. “He came out of the race in great shape, and California Cup, here we come,” trainer Doug O’Neill said.

It’s on to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Monmouth Park on Oct. 27 for Ancient Title Stakes winner Idiot Proof, trainer Cliff Sise Jr. said. Hystericalady, who finished second by a nose in the Lady’s Secret Stakes, will run in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said.

-- Larry Stewart

Nevada Worrier, a 7-1 shot, swept to the lead with a wide move on the far turn and went on to victory in the $81,110 Cavonnier at Santa Anita.

-- Bob Mieszerski

TENNIS

Two-time champ Ljubicic is a winner

Two-time defending champion Ivan Ljubicic returned after sitting out two weeks because of kidney stones, defeating Andreas Haider-Maurer, 6-4, 7-5, in the first round of the BA-CA Tennis Trophy at Vienna.

Sixth-seeded Carlos Moya and eighth-seeded Marcos Baghdatis were eliminated. Moya was upset by Stefan Koubek, 7-6 (3), 5-7, 6-2, while Baghdatis lost to Andreas Seppi, 6-2, 6-2.

Jarkko Nieminen defeated Tobias Kamke, 6-1, 6-2, in the first round of the Stockholm Open, beating an opponent making his ATP Tour debut.

“He probably was nervous,” Nieminen said. “I talked with some other players about him and they talked more positively about him than he showed on court today.”

Aleksandra Wozniak defeated Ioana Raluca Olaru, 7-5, 6-4, to advance to the second round of the Bangkok Open in Thailand.

Marion Bartoli defeated Alona Bondarenko, 6-2, 7-5, and Philipp Kohlschreiber downed Justin Gimelstob, 6-1, 6-3 in the Kremlin Cup at Moscow.

PASSINGS

Olympic hockey gold medalist Owen dies

Edwyn “Bob” Owen, who played on the 1960 team that won the first Olympic gold medal in hockey for the U.S., was found dead in a burning car at Topeka, Kan. He was 71. Investigators have not determined the cause of the fire but said part of the engine probably made accidental contact with dry grass, leading to flames that spread to the car.