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■ HORSE RACING
Flu forces cancellations
An outbreak of equine influenza has forced the Japan Racing Association (JRA) to cancel races today and tomorrow, local media reported. The JRA decided to cancel the races after 29 of 163 horses checked were determined to have contracted flu, the Nikkansports newspaper reported yesterday. It is the first time in 36 years that the JRA has canceled races due to horse flu. The previous cancellation lasted for about two months beginning late December 1971. A JRA official did not make clear when races will resume, only saying: "We would like to resume races as early as possible after the situation has settled." While it is contagious among horses, equine influenza cannot be caught by other animals and humans, the JRA said.

■ HOCKEY
Former Canadiens GM dies
Nine-time Stanley Cup winner and former general manager of the Montreal Canadiens Sam Pollock died on Wednesday in Toronto. He was 81. Pollock spent 14 years as the Canadiens GM, beginning in 1964. "He was a hard worker, had a lot vision, of course, and was an excellent businessman," former Montreal coach Scotty Bowman told CBC television. During his NHL tenure, Pollock managed to pluck the first overall draft pick away from the Oakland Seals in 1971 in order to draft Hall of Famer Guy Lafleur and obtain goaltender Ken Dryden from the Boston Bruins for a pair of unspectacular prospects. He also acquired Frank Mahovlich and drafted Bob Gainey in addition to luring legendary coach Scotty Bowman away from the St. Louis Blues in 1971. Pollock also served in a variety of roles for the Toronto Blue Jays Major League Baseball team.

■ BASEBALL
Giambi won't be disciplined
Jason Giambi won't be disciplined by Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig after the New York Yankees slugger had a "frank and candid" meeting with baseball's steroids investigator. Selig said on Wednesday that Giambi's cooperation with former US senator George Mitchell and the player's charitable work persuaded him not to take further action. "He's doing a lot of public-service work and I think that's terribly important," Selig said on the second and final day of an owners meeting. "He was, I thought, very frank and candid with senator Mitchell; at least that was the senator's conclusion. Given everything, this is an appropriate decision." Giambi has acknowledged a "personal history regarding steroids." He agreed to speak with Mitchell last month after Selig threatened to discipline him if he refused to cooperate. A former American League MVP, Giambi missed more than two months this season with torn tissue in his left foot. He's batting .270 with nine home runs in 51 games.

■ BASKETBALL
Disgraced ref apologizes
Disgraced former NBA referee Tim Donaghy isn't saying much about the betting scandal that brought him down and rocked the league, but he is saying "sorry." ``I'm very sorry about what happened,'' Donaghy told the Daily News on Thursday outside his home in Bradenton, Florida. ``This is an ongoing case. I can't say anything else,'' he said. Donaghy pleaded guilty in a Brooklyn court on Wednesday to felony charges for taking cash payoffs from gamblers and betting on games he officiated. He was released on US$250,000 bond and is set to be sentenced Nov. 9.

■ SOCCER
Briatore set to takeover QPR
Flavio Briatore, who runs the Renault Formula One team, is set to become the new owner of English club Queens Park Rangers. "Mr Briatore wants to do for the club what Mohamed al-Fayed has done for Fulham and turn us into a Premier League club," Rangers chairman Gianni Paladini told the Sun newspaper yesterday. "It is a dream come true for all the fans and saves this club from liquidation." Billionaire Briatore, 57, will wipe out the club's debt of ?17 million (US$33.78 million) and invest an extra ?100 million over three years, the Sun reported. Championship side Rangers were last in the Premier League in 1996.

■ SOCCER
Hasselbaink joins Cardiff
Former Dutch international striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has joined Cardiff City, the team said on Thursday. The 35-year-old has been without a club since he was released by Charlton Athletic at the end of last season. Hasselbaink will link up with former England striker Robbie Fowler, who joined the Welsh side last month following his release by Liverpool. "I do not think anyone would have believed going into the close season it would be possible to get players like them," chairman Peter Ridsdale said on the club's Web site.

■ CRICKET
India ease past Scotland
India warmed up for their seven-match one-day series against England with an easy seven-wicket victory over Scotland in a rain-affected match in Glasgow on Thursday. At one point it seemed the Indians, who included only three players from last week's series-clinching third Test draw against England, would win with embarrassing ease as Scotland slumped to 49 for four after 15 overs. However, former England all-rounder Gavin Hamilton (44) and Neil McCallum (41) put on 82 in 18 overs to settle things and, after two rain interruptions, the hosts, aided by a string of wides, eventually reached a respectable 203 for nine. However, India openers Robin Uthappa (55) and Gautam Gambhir (85 not out) put on an untroubled century for the first wicket in 20 overs, making the revised Duckworth-Lewis target of 209 in 46 overs look something of a breeze. The winning boundary was struck in the 40th over by captain Rahul Dravid, a local favorite from his days as Scotland's overseas player four years ago, in the 40th over.

■ SOCCER
Blades to sue Hammers
Sheffield United will sue West Ham United for the cost of relegation from the Premier League last season. "Sheffield United is today initiating legal proceedings against West Ham United seeking substantial compensation for relegation," the Blades said in a statement. They estimate the cost of going down to be more than ?30 million (US$59.62 million). The Blades claim West Ham gained an unfair advantage because Carlos Tevez, whose form in the second half of last season was inspirational and helped save the Hammers from going down, was not eligible to play for them. The Blades said West Ham should have had points deducted for breaking transfer regulations but legal moves to force this to happen did not succeed. The Londoners responded on Thursday by publishing a statement on their Web site. "West Ham United is extremely disappointed Sheffield United has seen fit to embark on this latest desperate action," the club said.


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