HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Bodemeister pulled away for a convincing 9 1/2-length victory in the $1 million Arkansas Derby on Saturday at Oaklawn Park.
Bodemeister broke wide coming out of the gate, but quickly took the lead and never relinquished it, in the 76th running of the race, which is a major prep for the Kentucky Derby in May.
The finish was a spectacular outcome for trainer Bob Baffert, a Nogales native and University of Arizona alumnus who named the winner after his son, Bode. Baffert also trains Secret Circle, who finished a distant second in the field of 11 3-year olds.
• In Lexington, Ky., Dullahan ran down favored Hansen in the final furlong to insert his own name among the Kentucky Derby favorites in the $750,000 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland.
• In Aintree, England, Grand National pre-race favorite Synchronised was one of two horses to die Saturday during the world's toughest steeplechase. According To Pete also suffered a fatal injury during the 4 1/2-mile race in northwest England. It was the second straight year in which two horses died in the race.
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Tucson sports
UA women's tennis 12-0 at home
The Arizona Wildcats improved to 12-0 at home with their second straight sweep in Pac-12 women's tennis, 7-0 Saturday over Utah.
• The Pima College-Eastern Arizona baseball doubleheader was canceled by weather and reset for April 26 at Pima.
Boston Marathon
It'll be hot, race officials warn
BOSTON - With temperatures expected to rise into the high 80s during Monday's Boston Marathon, race organizers advised inexperienced runners and those with medical conditions to sit this one out.
With forecasts calling for temperatures to rise to 88 degrees at the finish line by afternoon, officials offered a deferment that would allow those who registered this year to run next year instead.
Miscellaneous
Hot Isner advances to final
HOUSTON - John Isner beat Feliciano Lopez 6-7 (5), 7-6 (4), 6-3 on Saturday and Juan Monaco beat qualifier Michael Russell 5-7, 6-1, 6-4 to advance to the final of the U.S. Clay Court Championship. Isner, who beat Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic this year, faces Juan Monaco in today's final.
• In Valencia Spain, Barcelona forward Lionel Messi scored a 72nd-minute penalty against Levante to match Cristiano Ronaldo's Spanish league record 41 goals in a season, set less than two hours earlier.
• In Burlington, Vt., Caroline Ouellette scored 1:50 into overtime, lifting Canada to a 5-4 win over the United States in the gold medal game of the Women's World Hockey Championship.
• In Pescara, Italy, Livorno midfielder Piermario Morosini died after suffering cardiac arrest and collapsing on the field during a Serie B match. He was 25.
Includes material from news releases
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