SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Tucson-born jockey Garrett Gomez was named Wednesday for the first time as a finalist for the National Racing Museum's Hall of Fame.
Also nominated were jockeys Calvin Borel, John Velazquez and Alex Solis; trainers Jerry Hollendorfer, Gary Jones and Robert Wheeler; and thoroughbreds Open Mind, Safely Kept and Sky Beauty.
Gomez led all riders in earnings from 2006 through 2009, winning a record 76 stakes races in 2007, and Eclipse Awards in 2007 and 2008.
The finalists were chosen from among 80 contemporary candidates whose names were suggested by industry participants. The inductees will be announced on May 13 and the induction ceremony is set for Aug. 11.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Fickell to lead OSU for 1st 5 games
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COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio State promoted linebackers coach Luke Fickell to assistant head coach Wednesday, and he will run the team the first five games of the 2011 season while Jim Tressel serves a suspension for NCAA violations.
Ohio State has recommended to the NCAA that Tressel be suspended for the first five games of the season for knowing about players involved in selling memorabilia and receiving improper benefits.
• Auburn will investigate claims by four former players, who have told HBO's "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" they received thousands of dollars while being recruited by or playing for the Tigers. Stanley McClover, Troy Reddick, Chaz Ramsey and Raven Gray told HBO for an episode airing Wednesday that they took cash payments.
• Jim Seymour, a star receiver at Notre Dame in the 1960s who formed a potent passing combination with Terry Hanratty and helped the Fighting Irish win a national title, died Tuesday. He was 64.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Oregon evens CBI final series
EUGENE, Ore. - Joevan Catron scored 18 points and Oregon beat Creighton 71-58 Wednesday night to even the best-of-three College Basketball Invitational championship at one game apiece. The Ducks (20-18) will host the Bluejays (23-15) in a deciding game on Friday night.
• After talking with Missouri about its coaching vacancy, Matt Painter decided to stay at Purdue on Wednesday and agreed to an eight-year contract through the 2018-19 season.
• BYU guard Jimmer Fredette won the Adolph Rupp Award as National Player of the Year.
• UCLA guard Malcolm Lee will put his name in the NBA draft, although he won't immediately hire an agent, leaving open the possibility of returning for his final year of eligibility.
Player, budget decisions loom as roster transition heats up for Arizona basketball
