Derby winner Barbaro continues to heal
Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro’s right hind leg has a new cast, a new shoe and is healing well, while his left rear hoof is “gradually” improving from laminitis.
The cast was changed for the first time in six weeks, and Dr. Dean Richardson said Tuesday he was “pleased” with the progress in the leg that was shattered when Barbaro took a horrible misstep at the start of the Preakness on May 20.
Barbaro’s left hind foot, which had laminitis, continues its slow healing process.
Doctors at George D. Widener Hospital in Kennett Square, Pa., removed 80 percent of the hoof in mid-July when Barbaro developed laminitis, a painful and often fatal disease brought on by excessive weight bearing on one leg because of the injury of another leg.
NBA
Nuggets retain Karl
The Nuggets exercised their three-year option on coach George Karl’s contract, keeping him with Denver through the 2009-10 season.
Under Karl, the Nuggets have enjoyed their best stretch since joining the NBA in 1976. He was hired Jan. 27, 2005, leading the team to a 76-46 regular-season record and .628 winning percentage,
•The Los Angeles Clippers signed free-agent forward Lamond Murray for a second stint with the team.
•The Portland Trail Blazers removed the interim tag from general manager Steve Patterson’s title. Patterson has been the team president since 2003.
•Deon Willford was charged in Indianapolis with criminal recklessness for a fight outside a strip club where police say Indiana Pacers guard Stephen Jackson fired a gun and was hit by a car.
The 23-year-old Willford drove the car that hit Jackson,
Miscellany
Phillips convicted
Former NFL and Nebraska running back Lawrence Phillips was convicted in Los Angeles of seven counts of assault with a deadly weapon for driving a car at a group of young men, injuring three.
The 31-year-old Phillips drove onto a field near Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum after losing a pickup football game on Aug. 21, 2005. Phillips faces up to 20 years in state prison.
•David Reutimann, a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series regular this season, will move up to the Nextel Cup series in 2007 with the new Michael Waltrip Racing team.
•Georgia women’s basketball star Tasha Humphrey will be suspended for the first six games after being charged with underage possession of alcohol.
•North Carolina State’s Andrew Brackman plans to sit out this basketball season to focus on baseball.
•University of Toledo (Ohio) basketball player Haris Charalambous, who collapsed during conditioning drills Monday, died of a ruptured blood vessel to his heart, according to preliminary autopsy results.