Scarborough Downs to host historic Sire Stakes Finals Saturday
SCARBOROUGH — The Maine Sire Stakes three-year-old championship round will be contested with total purses on the program in excess of $365,000 at Scarborough Downs on Saturday, the richest day of harness racing in Maine, according to a news release from the track.
A 12-race program will be presented with first post slated for 1:05 p.m., including four Sire Stakes Finals, each to be raced for a purse in the $85,000 range.
One of the biggest stars on the program will be Mary Rose Of Topaz, a top sophomore filly, who will be attempting to cap off a strong season by scoring an 11th consecutive sire stakes victory. The daughter of Ashlee’s Big Guy will be driven by Kevin Switzer Jr.
Cardinals put Pierzynski on NLCS roster
The St. Louis Cardinals added veteran catcher A.J. Pierzynski to the roster for the National League Championship Series and removed left-handed reliever Sam Freeman on Friday.
Pierzynski gives the Cardinals an extra bat on the bench and a third catcher behind Yadier Molina and backup Tony Cruz against the San Francisco Giants.
When Molina was sidelined with a torn ligament in his right thumb for two months during the season, Pierzinski stepped in to fill the void. He finished with a .244 batting average, one homer and six RBIs in 30 games with the Cardinals and the Boston Red Sox.
Brewers retain Roenicke, dismiss two coaches
Manager Ron Roenicke will be back with the Milwaukee Brewers next season, but hitting coach Johnny Narron and first base coach Garth Iorg won’t be on his staff.
The Brewers announced Friday that Narron and Iorg were not retained for next year, but the rest of coaches will return, including Roenicke.
The 58-year-old Roenicke has a 335-313 record in four years as Brewers manager.
Milwaukee collapsed down the stretch after leading the National League Central for a significant portion of the season.
Yankees fire beloved hitting coach Long
Someone had to take the fall in New York for the Yankees missing the postseason, again.
On Friday, the Yankees fired Kevin Long, their well-respected hitting coach who helped the team smash some of the team’s offensive records.
Long was the victim of several veteran players’ struggles this past season. Carlos Beltran, Brian McCann and Mark Teixeira underperformed and Long paid the price.