■ AUTO RACING
Abu Dhabi wants best circuit
The Persian Gulf state of Abu Dhabi has set out to build the perfect Formula One circuit. The city is to host an F1 race in 2009 for the first time. "We will not only meet expectations, but exceed them without a doubt," said Ahmad Hussain, deputy director-general of Abu Dhabi's Tourism Authority. The US$40 billion project on Yas Island will have part of the circuit on the streets and lots of space for yachts to get a view of the action from the sea. Construction began in January on the 2,550-hectare site off the United Arab Emirates' east coast, and only 5 percent of the 5.5km track is complete. It is expected to seat 200,000 spectators.
■ HORSE RACING
Mare sets losing record
A Puerto Rican horse that can't win a race at least now has a claim to fame. Dona Chepa, a nine-year-old brown mare, finished last in a six-horse field at Camarero Racetrack in eastern Puerto Rico on Wednesday, a 125th consecutive loss that is believed to be the longest in history. Track spokesman Joe Bruno said Wednesday's loss surpasses an equine losing record of 0-124 set by Australian horse Ouroene, who raced from 1976 to 1983. There is no world governing body that tracks lack of success for horses. Dona Chepa, which comes from a distinguished line of champion racers, began her woeful ways on Valentine's Day in 2001. The closest she came to victory was in May 2003, when she finished second, Bruno said.
■ SOCCER
Seongnam Ilhwa gain edge
Kim Min-ho and Son Dae-ho scored 90 seconds apart midway through the second half and Seongnam Ilhwa beat Al Karama 2-1 in Seongnam, South Korea, on Wednesday in the first leg of the Asian Champions League quarter-finals. The victory gives the seven-time K-League champion the advantage heading into next week's second leg at Homs, Syria. Japan's Urawa Reds also won 2-1 at home, beating South Korean side and defending champion Jeonbuk Motors, while fellow Japanese side Kawasaki Frontale held Sepahan to a 0-0 draw in Esfahan, Iran. In the late quarter-final, two-time champion Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia held Al Wahda to a 0-0 draw in the United Arab Emirates.
■ CYCLING
Bennati wins second stage
Lampre rider Daniele Bennati won his second stage of the Spanish Vuelta on Wednesday, outracing Paolo Bettini and Alessandro Petacchi in the final meters. The Italian finished the 180km 17th stage to Talavera de la Reina, Spain, in three hours, 56 minutes, 58 seconds. Denis Menchov of Russia retains an overall 2:01 lead over fellow countryman Vladimir Efimkin.
West Ham United on Monday advanced to the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 5-3 penalty shoot-out win against Brentford, who paid the price for Dango Ouattara’s spot-kick blunder. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side twice blew the lead as Jarrod Bowen’s double was canceled out by an Igor Thiago brace to force extra-time in the 2-2 draw at the London Stadium, but in the shoot-out, Brentford winger Ouattara attempted a chipped Panenka penalty, but his woeful effort was straight at West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola. It was an awful mistake by the Burkina Faso international and West Ham took full advantage. Bowen, Valentin Castellanos, Callum
MEDVEDEV AWAITS: The world No. 1 Spainiard said that he is ‘finding the right shots’ as he pushed his record so far this year to 16 victories and no losses Carlos Alcaraz on Thursday extended his unbeaten season and got revenge over Cameron Norrie to reach the semi-finals at Indian Wells for a fifth straight year. The world No. 1 from Spain emerged from a see-saw battle with 29th-ranked Norrie with a 6-3, 6-4 victory. In the semis tomorrow, he faces Russian Daniil Medvedev, who pushed his own ATP winning streak to eight matches with a 6-1, 7-5 victory over defending champion Jack Draper. World No. 2 Jannik Sinner powered past Learner Tien 6-1, 6-2 to line up a semi-final with fourth-ranked Alexander Zverev, a 6-2, 6-3 winner over Arthur Fils. Alcaraz, 22, became
Teenage star Lamine Yamal’s superbly-taken goal on Saturday earned Barcelona a 1-0 win at Athletic Bilbao in Spanish La Liga. The champions restored their four-point lead over second-placed Real Madrid, who had on Friday temporarily closed the gap by beating Celta Vigo. Atletico Madrid tightened their grip on third with an entertaining 3-2 win over Real Sociedad. Yamal, 18, curled into the top corner after 68 minutes to split the sides at Athletic’s San Mames stadium. “We’re already seeing what Lamine can do — he puts it right in the top corner, and there’s nothing the keeper can do,” Barca
Thanks to Italy beating Mexico on Wednesday, the US get another chance in the World Baseball Classic (WBC). What looked like a potentially disastrous early exit for US manager Mark DeRosa and his team turned out to be nothing more than substantial worry and significant embarrassment for about 24 hours. It remains to be seen whether the US really want to win badly enough for the reprieve to matter, as if it is just a switch they can flick, but there is little reason for their fans to be optimistic. The team’s attitude and behavior have been all over the place when
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