The Courier-Journal from Louisville, Kentucky • Page C1

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. high school, they called him for his ability to come through in the clutch. At Indiana University, they call him for his willingness to do whatever it takes. But what strong safety Will Meyers means to the defense be summed up in a nickname. Meyers has emerged as a leader on a unit that has improved from last in total defense in the Big Ten last season to No.6 this year.

most important thing is he has cornerback Tracy Porter said. out there sacrificing his body and throwing himself around. We look at that on defense like got to play as hard as he Added nose tackle Russ Richardson, The 5-foot-11, 205-pound juniorhas started every game this seasonfor IU (4-3, 1-3). Despite starting a combined nine games his first two seasons, Meyers said he embrace his role as a leader. year, I was wide-eyed, I as comfortable speaking up and making the checks to the rest of the Meyers said.

I feel like I know my confident about letting every body else Meyers enters the at Michigan State (4-3, 1-3) tomorrowas the third leading tackler. He trails linebackers John Pan- nozzo and Kyle Killion, who have49 tackles, by one. Pannozzo played fullback last season and See MEYERS C9, col. 1 Meyers takes on leadership role at IU Strong safety has become one of top tacklers By C.L. Brown The Courier-Journal ELMONT, N.Y fthe seven previous Cup turf races held at Belmont Park, five were won by European horses.

The other two victors started out in France. That trend has a big chance to continue in $2 million Turf, $1.5 million Mile and $1 million Filly Mare Turf. That bode well for unbeaten Turf favorite Shakespeare, defending Turf winner Better Talk Now or defending Mile winner Singletary, who have raced exclusively in America. When the Cup was last at Belmont in 2001, European horses captured three races, including the Juvenile on dirt, with seven its 18 runners hitting the board. There are 18 European-trained horses spread over five of eight races, including defending Turf run dates to Ozzie 2003 hiring as manager.

C7 Chris Associated Press Jeff Brehaut followed his fifth-hole tee progress en route to a 6-under-par 65, two-shot lead in the Chrysler Championship after first round. Story, C9 BREHAUT FINDS HIS STROKE College Basketball C2 Horse Racing Scorecard C5 High School Report C6 College Football C8 Harry Bryan, editor 582-4361, phone 582-7186, fax FRIDAY I ELMONT, N.Y. here is no yellow police tape stretched around the perimeter of Nick barn at Belmont Park. No saw horses arranged in the Great Wall of Zito. No security officer waving everybody to stand back, back, back.

nice, Zito said, tugging on his baseball cap. think see me do that It is Cup Week at Belmont. A racing season that lifted off with Zito expecting to hold five aces at the Kentucky Derby is touching down with Zito working without a single minicam in sight as a crisp wind whipped around Barn 12. You want a photo of how horse racing can toss a guy through the entire spin cycle of emotions? Take one of Zito. At the Derby he reach for a cup of coffee without somebody tugging him away for a live shot.

At the Cuppeople walk past his barn and ask if he has any horses racing on eight-race, $14million card. to my schizophrenic, Jessica Simpson, Woody Allen Zito said. Welcome, indeed. Zito came to the Derby with five legitimate horses, including the favorite (Bellamy Road) and the fourth pick (High Fly). None of Fab Five finished better than seventh.

No favorites Now operating in the shadows at the Cup. saddle four horses in three races. All four are listed at odds of 20-1or higher in the morning line. Only one of five Derby horses will race here tomorrow King. wish the Kentucky Derby was today for Sun Zitosaid.

The oddsmakers are not nearly as giddy. Sun King, who finished 15th in the Derby, is a 30-1shot in the $4million Classic, the marquee race of the day. His other Classic horse is Sir Shackleton at 20-1. Neither Zito horse is expected to threaten Borrego, Saint Liam, Rock Hard Ten or Flower Alley. So it goes for Zito, who has started 23 horses in the Cup since 1991and won one race in this event.

got his two horses in the Classic, In the Gold in the Distaff and Superfly in the Juvenile. An injury removed High Fly from the Sprint last weekend. not different than anybody Zito said. still trying to figure this game out. Do I think we have a chance to win? Sure.

But in the end, all you can ask is your horses to continue to go forward, especially the young Remembering last May There is little doubt that May7 still bounces around in psyche. He convinced that one of his Fab Five was going to win the Derby. Zito knows the race is too unpredictable to embrace a thought like that. But he certainly expect that none of the five would hit the board that he would finish 0for11in the three Triple Crown races. Maybe why even though Zito has a string of nice 2-year-olds in his barn, he will talk about only one who is listed at 30-1even though his sire is Fusaichi Pegasus.

they (the other 2-year-olds) do something, be happy to talk about Zito said. just like every other 2-year-old, minute-to- With Superfly, all he can say is the colt has raced four times, winning once. He finished third in the Champagnebut never threatened First Samurai, the Juvenile favorite. And, yes, he is named after Curtis hit song from the 1972 movie. Said Zito, just hope to have one on the path to You can reach Rick Bozich at (502) 582-4650 or nal.com.

Submit questions at courier- journal.com/bozich. Rick Bozich Zito happy in shadows at Belmont BIRMINGHAM, Ala. The University of basketball team assumed its rightful place yesterday at the top of the Southeastern Conference pre- season poll. At least, how UK guard Rajon Rondo saw it. should be No.

he said. got a good got guys who gained a lot of experience last That UK was picked to finish atop the league at SEC media days came as no surprise yesterday. The Wildcats have won or tied for the conference championship in five of coach Tubby eight seasons. But they might go about it a different way this season. The Cats have talked about playing at afaster even though Smith has expressed some skepticism, preparing the team for full speed ahead.

He installed a new drill during practice that requires the Cats to go the length of the floor and find a high-quality shot in six seconds. Wildcats tabbed to win SEC Rondo responds, should be No. By Michael Smith The Courier-Journal See CATS C2, col. 1 When he heard that Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl has emphasized beating UK, Wildcats coach Tubby Smith said: get in line. A lot of teams have put targets on Mark BOWLING GREEN, Ky.

Southern Illinois once again got the better of Western Kentucky last this time the Hilltoppersmight have only themselvesto blame. Southern Illinois took advantage of a fake punt and a blocked punt to earn a 31-20 victory before anL.T. Smith Stadium crowd of a national audience watching on ESPNU. The top-ranked Hilltoppers (6-2, 4-1) dropped into a tie for second place in the Gateway Conference with No.8 Southern Illinois (6-2, 4-1) behind Youngstown State (7-1, 4-0). It also marked third straight loss in this series.

The winner of this game has gone on to at least share the Gateway crown the past two seasons. Southern Illinois converted two Western punt miscues into 10 points. On the latter play, trailing 21-13 and facing a fourth-and- two at its own 15, Western sophomore punter Tanner Siewert took the long snap and scrambled in a vain attempt for the first down. He wound up one yard short. Southern Illinois took over and got an 18-yard field goal by Craig Coffin to make it24-13 with 10:41 to go.

On previous punt late in the third quarter, Braden Jones knifed through to block Siewart. The ball landed right inthehands of Jamarquis Jordan, who returned it 24 yards to give Southern Illinois a21-13 lead with 56 seconds left in the period. In the fourth quarter, Arkee Whitlock scored a 1-yard TD with 3:57 left to make it 31-13. It was third TD run on the night. His 11-yard run put Southern Illinois ahead to stay 14-13 with 2:35 left in the third.

Western got its 13-7 third quarter lead on a 29-yard field goal by Chris James. Western led at the half 10-7. Southern Illinois was in posi- Western mistakes costly vs. Salukis Special teams doomToppers By Michael Grant The Courier-Journal See WESTERN C9, col. 1 INSIDE of Jazz Covington likes the underdog role in the Big East Conference.

C2 QUICK HIT What: Eight championship horse races worth a guaranteed total of $15.755 million When: Tomorrow (first race 1:20 p.m. EDT) Where: Belmont Park, Elmont N.Y. TV: NBC-3 CUP Europeans out in force English trainer John Gosden called the European contingent By Jennie Rees The Courier-Journal See EUROS C5, col. 1 Hoping to repeat success at Belmont INDIANA AT MICHIGAN STATE When: Noon Saturday Where: Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, Mich. TV: WFTE-58.