Breeders’ Cup reverses funding cutback

The Breeders’ Cup has reversed its decision to cut financial support for certain stakes races at about 40 North American tracks after getting a barrage of complaints from the industry.

While the organization is making no long-term commitment to the stakes program, which currently affects 121 races, a news release Wednesday announced it would continue at least for one more year.

Breeders’ Cup chairman William S. Farish Jr. said the organization would tap into its reserve funds to contribute the $4.5 million that it announced last week would be cut from the program because of budget concerns.

“Since then, we have been urged by a number of leading nominators and trustees to reconsider,” Farish said.

The reduction wouldn’t have affected the two-day Breeders’ Cup, scheduled for November at Santa Anita. The stakes program was established essentially as a way to provide Breeders’ Cup support to other races in North America throughout the year.

TENNIS

Davenport to have second child

Lindsay Davenport is pulling out of the Australian Open because she is pregnant with her second child.

The three-time Grand Slam singles champion and former No. 1-ranked woman gave birth to a son, Jagger, in June 2007. Davenport then returned to the tour, although she hasn’t played since the U.S. Open in August of this year.

Just last week, the Australian Open announced Davenport would play in the tournament, which begins Jan. 19.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Gordon: Drug use hurt Indiana

Former Indiana standout and current Clippers guard Eric Gordon believes drug use caused a rift on last season’s Hoosiers, according to a story posted on the Indianapolis Star’s website.

Then-coach Kelvin Sampson tried to stop the drug use, Gordon said, but Sampson “was just so focused on basketball and winning and everything.”

ETC.

U.S. women defeat China

Heather O’Reilly scored off a rebound in the 34th minute to help the United States women beat China, 1-0, in an international soccer friendly at Ford Field in Detroit. Lindsay Tarpley helped put the U.S. team ahead when her looping shot hit the crossbar and O’Reilly tapped home the rebound. The victory gave the U.S. a mark of 33-1-2 for 2008, extending its record for wins in a calendar year. It won 28 of 34 matches in 2004 . . . Federal prosecutors in Pittsburgh say they have broken up a cocaine ring headed by the nephew of Hall of Fame running back Tony Dorsett. Authorities say 31-year-old Anthony A. Dorsett and 12 others have been selling crack and powder cocaine since 2003. They say he was arrested Saturday in West Virginia. . . . A rare type of ice build-up has been blamed for the partial collapse of a gondola tower at Canada’s Whistler ski resort. Thirteen people were slightly injured and dozens were trapped for hours in unheated gondola cabins when a tower on the Excalibur gondola buckled Tuesday, bouncing two of the cars off the ground. The resort will host the Alpine events of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

PASSINGS

Dave Smith, 53; All-Star reliever

Dave Smith, a former All-Star reliever who holds the Houston Astros record for games pitched, died at 53. The official cause of death wasn’t known.