Chicago Tribune from Chicago, Illinois • Page 3-7

123456 TRIBUNE 7 SPORTS THIS SUNDAY, MAY 11 2PM ARIZONA RATTLERS VS.CHICAGO RUSHATALLSTATE ARENA fans receive Crunch bandannas HAPPY DAY ALL MOMS GET IN FOR THE DAY OFFER! PURCHASE ONE TICKET ATFULL PRICE AND TICKET IS FREE. Offer also available online and at the arena box office. Offer not available on previously purchased tickets or in conjunction with other promotions. CALL TICKETMASTER 312.559.1212 LOUISVILLE Racing fans annually hope that the Triple Crown series will produce an exciting new star, a horse who can stimulate public interest in the sport. Such dreams have not often materialized in recent years, and the outcome of the 129th Kentucky Derby squashed them again.

This year it was supposed to be Empire Maker who had the potential to become the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years. Trainer Bobby Frankel, a man not given to hyperbole, declared over and over that this was a great racehorse and that winning the Derby was his destiny. But Empire Maker delivered an unexceptional performance and lost to a group of rivals who are unexceptional, including the victorious Funny Cide. When no horse in a race possesses superior talent, there is going to be a winner nevertheless. And the winner usually will be the horse who benefits from an easy trip.

This was the case Saturday at Churchill Downs. The racing gods were on the side of Funny Cide, and Jose Santos was on his back, delivering a perfect tactical ride. But if the race had developed in a slightly different way, or if the post positions had been shuffled, the second-, third- or fourth-place finisher easily could have earned a blanket of roses. Funny Cide broke from the fifth post position, went to the rail and secured a perfect striking position behind Peace Rules and Brancusi, who were dueling for the lead. When the leaders were enervated, Funny Cide went around Peace Rules to take command and then resisted the challenge of favorite Empire Maker.

In a 16-horse field, he lost almost no ground and barely encountered a straw in his path. Fourth-place Atswhatimtalk- nbout found enough trouble to cost him the race. When he turned into the stretch, jockey David Flores lamented: was in behind a wall. I just get the room for him to After the California colt did find room, he accelerated powerfully but too late. He had about two lengths worth of trouble on the margin by which he was beaten.

Third-place Peace Rules have trouble per se, but few horses win the Derby battling head and head for the lead in a fast pace. Peace Rules and Brancusi raced the first half- mile in 46.23 and reached the 6- furlong mark in 1:10.48, a pace that was fast enough to make Brancusi fade and finish 16th. Despite these exertions, Peace Rules surrender; stable- mate Empire Maker barely out- finished him for second place. When such a scenario develops in an ordinary race, and the horses come back for a rematch, handicappers know the horse in the duel (Peace Rules) is the one to bet and the successful stalker (Funny Cide) the one to bet against. Second-place Empire Maker have any trouble, but both his trainer and jockey were convinced he was the superior horse.

still think that my horse is much better than Cide and Peace jockey Jerry Bailey declared. Was he right? Maybe. After breaking from post position 11, Empire Maker was forced to race wide around both turns. It is a rough rule of thumb that a horse loses one length for every path he is removed from the rail around a turn. Thus, if Funny Cide was on the rail around the first turn and Empire Maker was in the three- path, the favorite was traveling an extra two lengths.

Empire ground loss equaled more than the 1 3 4 lengths by which Funny Cide beat him. This underscores an annual folly at the Derby, which allows trainers to pick their post positions (after a random draw determines the order of selection). Trainers habitually shun inside posts, believing their horses are less likely to be blocked if they start outside. This may be true, but they are almost assured of losing ground, and horses often win the Derby (or any distance race) if they are forced to race wide around both turns. If the horses had switched post positions, if Empire Maker had Funny trip and vice versa, Funny Cide probably would have finished fourth and Empire Maker would have had a chance to sweep the Triple Crown.

Funny Cide is not going to win the Triple Crown. He would be no cinch to win a rematch over any of the three horses behind him in the Derby, though only Peace Rules appears to be a probable starter in the Preakness. Even if Funny Cide should prevail at Pimlico, his sprint- oriented pedigree would likely doom him in the Belmont Stakes. Still, Funny Cide does not deserve to be disdained as a fluky Derby winner. He showed great potential as a 2-year-old, winning all three of his starts.

In his final prep race for the Derby, the Wood Memorial, he finished a half-length behind Empire Maker, though the winner appeared to be toying with him. The best Beyer Speed Figure coming into the Derby belonged to Empire Maker (111), Funny Cide (110) and Ten Most Wanted (110). I picked Ten Most Wanted, so he was doomed. With only Empire Maker to beat, all Funny Cide needed was a little racing luck. And he got it.

Andrew Beyer, the creator of the Beyer Speed Figure, writes for the Washington Post. COMMENTARY BY ANDREW BEYER Derby winner go far By Philip Hersh Tribune Olympic sports reporter The United States Soccer Federation only has to say yes to become replacement host of the 2003 World Cup. Alan Rothenberg, a facilitator in negotiations to bring the tournament back to the United States, confirmed the accuracy of that assessment Sunday and added a deal could be struck as early as Tuesday. is not a done Rothenberg said, the chances are pretty good. I assume FIFA international soccer does understand how much help we will need financially and how much flexibility we will need in scheduling, training sites and stadium use to pull this off in five Acting on a unanimous recommendation from its medical commission, the FIFA executive committee decided Saturday to move the fourth World Cup from China because of the SARS epidemic ravaging parts of that country.

FIFA said it would like the tournament to be played close to the dates scheduled for China, Sept. 23-Oct. 11. is certain, because we have to work out appropriate USSF President Bob Contiguglia said. is a huge undertaking that can be very USSF executive director Dan Flynn and his deputy, Jay Berhalter, and Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber will meet with FIFA executives Tuesday in Zurich.

Several MLS stadiums would need to be used for the tournament, and there could be World Cup-MLS doubleheaders. Australia and the United States have expressed formal interest in becoming host, and FIFA President Sepp Blatter said Brazil also is a possibility. this is the U.S. decision, with a lot of support from MLS and its marketing partner Rothenberg said. one can be exposed to undue SUM holds English-language broadcast rights for the tournament.

Rothenberg said several U.S. networks have shown interest in broadcasting the matches we be going over there That Rothenberg, a former USSF president, would be a cen- tral figure in the deal is hardly surprising. He was CEO of the tremendously successful 1994 World Cup in the United States, founder of MLS and a member of the U.S. Soccer board of directors. Rothenberg said he expected to have a role, not a significant in the organization of what could be a second straight World Cup in the United States.

The first two editions of the quadrennial tournament were held in China and Sweden. One of 1994 World Cup executives, Marla Messing, ran the 1999 World Cup. It was an overwhelming success on every level, including an estimated $4 million profit on a $30 million operating budget because the tournament drew 659,000 fans for its 32 matches. Contiguglia said the balance sheet became positive only because the crowd for U.S.-China final at the Rose Bowl was 90,185. Contiguglia said a 2003 tournament would not have an independent organization but be managed by a consortium of executives from U.S.

soccer and the and professional leagues. expectations will be Rothenberg said. if we had five years again instead of five months to prepare, there is no way we can replicate 1999. Everything happened There are several ways in which the tournament could be a scaled-down success, Rothenberg said. Having all or most of the matches on the West Coast.

would want some East Coast and Midwest Rothenberg said. Having all the teams train at the new Home Depot Center in Carson, which has a soccer stadium, five soccer practice fields and a track stadium with an infield that could be used for practice. That stadium could be the site for the final. Use fewer stadiums than the seven in 1999. have the size of what we did in 1999, but it would be a wonderful soccer event, especially since it likely is the last World Cup for several of our biggest stars Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy and Brandi Contiguglia said.

SOCCER Deal to host World Cup could be struck soon By Jack McCarthy Special to the Tribune During preseason meetings in October, Lewis University volleyball players figured they needed only one team goal for the season. we might set a list of goals, like go undefeated at home or beat so many teams in coach Dave Deuser said. the guys said we need to set any goal other than winning the national championship. less than that would fall short of what we were capable of The Flyers reached their lofty objective Saturday night, capturing the NCAA volleyball championship in five games over Brigham Young before 5,000 fans at the Pyramid in Long Beach, Calif. On Sunday afternoon, the team and more than 200 supporters celebrated the first NCAA team championship in any sport with an on-campus rally.

vs. Goliath is how the West Coast newspapers described said Brother James Gaffney, the school president, as he glanced at the 32-inch-tall championship trophy displayed on a nearby table. little Lewis from Division II is the giant The Romeoville school, with an enrollment of fewer than 4,400 students, is one of the smallest schools playing major- college volleyball. But it was hardly an underdog. The Flyers entered the season ranked No.

11in the nation and went 15-1in Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association play against the likes of Ohio State, Loyola and Ball State. Lewis then swept the postseason MIVA tourney for a berth in the NCAA semifinals. just set our minds to said freshman setter Brandon Sisk, a Tribune first-team All- Stater last year at Stagg High School. knew what had to be done to accomplish it, and we felt we had the The Flyers reached the NCAA finalin 1996 and 1998 but lost both times to UCLA. This time Lewis stunned Pepperdine in the NCAA semifinals, then beat BYU 42-44, 30-27, 30-27, 23-30, 1512 in the title match to finish 29-6 overall.

Gustavo Meyer led the way with 21kills and was named the most valuable player. Deuser, the only coach in the Lewis 10-year history, has averaged 23 wins per season since 1994. He also has worked as a club coach and guided Richards to a 42-0 record and the first high school boys state volleyball championship in 1992. Tribune photos by E. Jason Wambsgans Lewis volleyball players Fabiano Barreto (from left), Gustavo Meyer, Kevin Miller and J.R.

Martins celebrate their NCAA championship at a campus pep rally Sunday. VOLLEYBALL Lewis savors 1st NCAA team title Lewis fans Krissy Miller (with camera), Chelsea Francik (center) and Courtney Hutt join in the cheering Sunday. Campus rally hails team that fulfilled a lofty objective guys said we need to set any goal other than winning the national coach Dave Deuser Associated Press Steve Flesch made a 35-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole Sunday to win the HP Classic of New Orleans for his first PGA Tour victory. Flesch, who began the day seven shots behind leader Scott Verplank, shot a final-round 65 to finish tied with Bob Estes at 21-under 267. been looking forward to this for a long said the six-year veteran, who earned $900,000 though I was seven back, when I came out of that hotel this morning, that wind was blowing 15 or 20 m.p.h., I knew I had a he said.

biggest battle is always just hanging in there long enough. always trying my butt off, but sometimes I just think that there is no way I can win. Today, for some reason, I just knew from the first Verplank held a two-stroke lead with four holes to play, but bogeyed 16 and double-bogeyed 18 in a 2-over 74 and finished third at 19 under. Flesch joined Mike Weir as the only left-handers to win on tour this year. Weir has won three times, including the Masters last month.

Flesch has three second-place finishes, including in New Orleans in 1999. chance to extend the playoff never threatened the cup and was wide left. LPGA: Grace Park of South Korea made a double-breaking par putt of nearly 20 feet to cap a one-stroke victory in the Miche- lob Light Open in Williamsburg, Va. par save on 18 gave her an even-par 71, a 9-under 275 total and her fourth career win. Cristie Kerr (71), Karrie Webb (67) and Lorena Ochoa (69) tied for second.

Meg Mallon is the last U.S.- born golfer to win a event, the Canadian Open in mid-July. Champions Tour: Tom Jenkins shot a 5-under 67 to win by three strokes in Hoover, and give the Champions Tour 10 winners in as many events this year. Jenkins finished at 16-under 200 for his fourth win in five years on the circuit while Bruce Fleisher (70) was second. Hale Irwin, who led after each of the first two rounds, had a 73 and finished tied for third. Italian Open: Mathias Gronberg of Sweden shot a 7-under 65 and won in Brescua, Italy, by two strokes over Colin Montgomerie and two others.

GOLF ROUNDUP Flesch breaks through Rallies from 7 back for 1st win on tour.