Sports: In brief

In brief

By Times wires and staff reports

Sunday Silence dead at age 16

Sunday Silence was the ultimate underdog, until he got in the starting gate.

The winner of the first two legs of the Triple Crown died Monday from complications of a disease in his left foreleg.

After going unsold at auction twice, Sunday Silence went on to win the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes in 1989. He also was named horse of the year.

The 16-year-old died of heart failure on Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan.

"For the last three days, his condition has been getting worse, and we used a lot of strong medicines," said Eisuke Tokutake, spokesman for Shadai Stallion Station. "But today, he lay down and couldn't get up."

Sunday Silence won nine races in 14 career starts, earning more than $4.9-million. He was inducted into racing's Hall of Fame in 1996.

MORE HORSES: Listen Here, who won the Grade II Amsterdam Stakes on Aug. 3, broke the sesamoid bones in his left front leg in a morning workout at Saratoga and likely will be euthanized.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Nigel Dixon of Orlando, a 6-foot-11, 350-pound center from Florida State, transferred to Western Kentucky. ... Jim Nystrom, a 6-foot-5 Swedish player, joined Georgia Tech.

TENNIS: Pete Sampras will assess his career at the end of 2003, but he's not talking retirement. "At the end of next year, I'll see where it's all at and then make a decision. That doesn't mean I'm going to stop or continue." ... Martina Hingis and Alexandra Stevenson advanced in the Pilot Pen at New Haven, Conn. ... Ex-UF star Jeff Morrison advanced in the TD Waterhouse Cup in Commack, N.Y.

GOLF: Seminole's Brittany Lincicome was named to the U.S. team competing in the Junior Solheim Cup Sept. 16-18 at Hopkins, Minn. Tampa's Mallory Code also is on the team. ... Conner Robbins, Zach Atkinson and Alan Weant shot 5-under 65 in the opening round of stroke play at the U.S. Amateur in Bloomfield, Mich. John Klauk of Ponte Vedra Beach and Gainesville's Camilo Benedetti were at 2 under.

BASKETBALL: Five members of Lebanon's national team received U.S. visas, allowing them to participate in the World Championships Aug. 28 at Indianapolis. Also, a hip injury forced Jay Williams to sit out a second day of practice with the U.S. national team; he may withdraw. ... Seattle exercised its contract on NBA swingman Desmond Mason, who is signed through 2003-04. ... Spanish language network Telemundo will televise NBA and WNBA games the next three seasons. In 2003, Telemundo will air 15 regular-season NBA games and up to 10 WNBA games. ... Shawn Kemp, the former All-Star whose career has crumbled because of weight and drug problems, will be waived today by Portland, the Oregonian reported. Kemp agreed to forfeit more than $25-million of the $46.5-million left on his contract.

ARENA FOOTBALL: The Storm is selling many of the home and road jerseys from the past season. Most cost $100, though some may be more because of demand. For details, call (813) 276-7300.

BOXING: WBA heavyweight champion John Ruiz sued Don King, saying the promoter was blocking a bout with former champ Mike Tyson that would be the most lucrative of his career.

NHL: Minnesota forward Antti Laaksonen was awarded a one-year, $750,000 contract in arbitration. Islanders center Dave Scatchard was awarded a two-year, $2.7-million contract by an arbitrator. Atlanta re-signed defenseman Francis Lessard.

SAILING: Brazil's Torben Grael and Marcelo Ferreira won the second race in the Star Class World Championships in Los Angeles, taking the overall lead.

SOCCER: U.S. midfielder Amy Steadman tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee and will miss the rest of the first FIFA Under-19 Women's World Championship in British Columbia.

TRACK AND FIELD: Frankie Fredericks won the 100 meters (10.19) and 200 (20.15) at the Raiffeisen Gugl-Meet in Linz, Austria. Dwight Phillips won the long jump in a personal-best 27-6, and fellow American Adam Nelson the shot put (67-93/4).

-- FRANK PASTOR, Times wires