Darrell Fry
If Sampras is content with his game, so be it
It was hot and humid in Houston that day, and Pete Sampras was dying another slow death. The shoulders were slumped and his movements were a tad slow, the result of trying vainly to keep up with an opponent more than 10 years his junior.

Kentucky Derby Guesses welcome

[Times photo: Daniel Wallace] This year's Derby appears wide open, with morning-line favorites generating little buzz. Long shot overtakes favorite in Oaks LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- A long shot prevailed in a Kentucky Oaks field trumpeted as one of the strongest, with little-known Farda Amiga and her lesser-known trainer winning Friday in the marquee event for 3-year-old fillies. Bond's Buddha stabled LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- H. James Bond had a favorite anecdote leading up to today's Kentucky Derby. Tattoos the mark of champions Exact identification of horses is crucial in thoroughbred racing. Races are created to match certain qualities and types of horses, so the integrity of the sport could be compromised if impostors were entered in races against lesser competition.

Motorsports
Making mark just by being there
In his home state, Ricky Rudd will tie Terry Labonte's Winston Cup "iron man" mark of 655 consecutive races.

NHL
NHL's non-fight rule may be hurting players
Instigator penalty has teams reluctant to retaliate for dirty hits.

Arena football
Bowden on the other side now
Andre Bowden, now with Carolina, faces his former Storm teammates.

Outdoors
Daily fishing report
Many fishermen believe the only time to catch bass is early in the morning and late in the day. They laugh when I tell them most of my trophy bass were caught between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Preps
Four Panthers qualify for state meet
Lecanto seniors Amanda Howard and Kate Wheeler qualified for state in three events to lead the Panthers to a fourth-place finish Thursday at the Region 2 meet in Titusville.

Ram ends career in style
Tampa Baptist senior Garrett Johnson wins the discus and shot put titles.

Knight doesn't miss state this time
BROOKSVILLE -- Emily Ollivier missed qualifying for state in the shot put by one place last season after mononucleosis and shoulder surgery robbed her of much of her strength.

Allen's time has come
The Seven Rivers Christian senior needs extra attempts to capture a state title in the high jump.

Tampa Bay Tech girls finish first
BROOKSVILLE -- Micaela Davis placed first in the high jump and Melissa Cousin (pole vault) and Tampa Bay Tech's 3,200 relay team each took second to lead the Titans to the girls title.

Charger has a big day
CORAL SPRINGS -- In her quest to become the first girl from Shorecrest to win a state title, Jenny Fraser said she figured she would at least have time on her side.

Rebel qualifies in three events again
BROOKSVILLE -- Kevin Marion has felt the pressure for two years, ever since he was the only freshman in any classification to qualify for the state meet in three events.

Steier adds one last crown
CORAL SPRINGS -- Friday's Class A Florida Finals offered an unexpected testament to the greatness of Berkeley Prep sensation Rolf Steier.

Softball region finals
CLASS 6A, REGION 2

Chiefs roar back to stun Spruce Creek
PORT ORANGE -- No one thought Chamberlain would evenget out of its district before the season and when the Chiefs finished the regular season with a losing record, most people were convinced.

Jesuit picks a bad time for off night
The Tigers self-destruct at home in a season-ending 6-1 loss to Fort Myers Bishop Verot.

Crystal River cruises to final
Junior right-hander William Bunch throws a complete game as the Pirates thump Umatilla.

Protest clouds Rams win
DAYTONA BEACH -- The scoreboard confirmed that Ridgewood had pulled off a dramatic 2-1, eight-inning upset of No. 9 Seabreeze, but Rams coach Larry Beets could barely speak.

Hudson's run ends
OCALA -- All Hudson wanted was a little respect.

King finds Deltona too much to handle
TAMPA -- King didn't know much about Deltona, but from the reports coach Jim Macaluso heard, the Wolves were hardly a threat.

Today's softball region final
CLASS 5A, REGION 3

Pair of aces a winning hand for Marauders
CCC gets two key pitching performances to blank Lake Highland Prep 4-0.

Fort Myers routs Clearwater 14-4
FORT MYERS -- Clearwater nearly weathered the first barrage from Fort Myers, but unfortunately the No. 1 team was just getting started.

Dunedin steams on
Brandon makes some early mistakes that prove fatal as the Falcons take advantage for a 5-0 win.

Hillsborough prep baseball roundup
Bulls win despite travel, sickness

Huegel caps East Lake's comeback
EAST LAKE -- The chances of being the fall guy or the hero can shift from one inning to the next in the postseason.