LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – A Nebraska horse trainer has been suspended and fined $1,500 pending an investigation of a horse that tested positive for a powerful stimulant called “frog juice” that is barred from use in the United States.
The Lincoln Journal Star reports that a urine sample showed a horse named Cheatin’ Cowboy may have had dermorphin in his system when he finished second at a race July 15 at Horsemen’s Park in Omaha.
Dermorphin is produced naturally as a skin secretion in certain species of South American frogs, but it also can be produced synthetically.
The trainer, Kim Veerhusen, could not be reached to comment. The executive director of the Nebraska Racing Commission, Tom Sage, confirmed its investigation but declined to make any other comments.
NEW YORK (AP) – A federal judge in Austin, Texas, has thrown out Lance Armstrong’s lawsuit against the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, an attempt to stop the drug case against the seven-time Tour de France winner.
Armstrong has repeatedly denied doping. His lawsuit claimed USADA lacked jurisdiction and that its arbitration process violates his constitutional rights.
U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks dismissed the lawsuit, allowing the case to proceed. Armstrong can appeal in federal court, go ahead with USADA’s arbitration or accept its sanctions.
Penalties could include a lifetime ban from the sport and loss of his titles.
USADA says Armstrong took steroids and blood boosters to win the Tour de France every year from 1999 to 2005.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – The NFL has suspended Kansas City All-Pro linebacker Tamba Hali for the season-opener against Atlanta for violating its policy on substance abuse.
The league announced the suspension Monday without disclosing details. Hali will miss the Sept. 9 game against the Falcons and be fined an additional game check.
Hali is a rising star who went to his first Pro Bowl last season along with fellow Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson. Hali had 12 sacks while Johnson set a franchise record with 131 tackles.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) – Augusta National Golf Club, the home of the Masters, is welcoming two women to its ranks of membership. Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and South Carolina financier Darla Moore will be the first women to wear the fabled green jacket when the new season opens in October.
The 80-year old club, which is private, has been under fire for years to admit a woman as a member.
Augusta National chairman Billy Payne calls the admission of Rice and Moore a “joyous occasion.”
The move likely ends the debate that intensified in 2002 when Martha Burke of the National Council of Women’s Organizations urged the club to admit women. Former club chairman Hootie Johnson stood his ground, even at the cost of losing Masters television sponsors for two years.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Kansas City at Tampa Bay 6:10 p.m.
Baltimore at Texas 7:05 p.m.
N-Y Yankees at Chi White Sox 7:10 p.m.
Minnesota at Oakland 9:05 p.m.
Cleveland at Seattle 9:10 p.m.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Atlanta at Washington 6:05 p.m.
Cincinnati at Philadelphia 6:05 p.m.
Colorado at N-Y Mets 6:10 p.m. (LISTEN LIVE on ESPN Radio 1410)
Chi Cubs at Milwaukee 7:10 p.m.
Miami at Arizona 8:40 p.m.
Pittsburgh at San Diego 9:05 p.m.
San Francisco at L.A. Dodgers 9:10 p.m.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE PRESEASON
Philadelphia at New England 7:00 p.m.