The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page C4

CYANMAGYELBLK TennesseanBroadsheet Master TennesseanBroadsheet Master 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 5 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 5 TennesseanBroadsheet Master TennesseanBroadsheet Master 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 4C SPORTS 4C Saturday, September 4, 2004 THE TENNESSEAN www.tennessean.com THE ALL NEW MONTH LEASE WITH ($1,999 PILOT), ($1,499 ACCORD), ($1,999 ODYSSEY) DOWN PLUS TAX, TAG, TITLE, LEASE EXCEPTIONS AND ANY DEALER INSTALLED OPTIONS. PRICES AND PAYMENTS INCLUDE $299.50 PROCESSING FEE. NO SECURITY DEPOSIT REQUIRED. 12K MILES PER YEAR. $0.15 PER MILE OVER.

WAC. ADVERTISED OFFERS CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH EACH OTHER OR ANY OTHER ADVERTISED OFFER. ADVERTISED OFFER SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITH MANUFACTURERS PROGRAMS. OFFERS EXPIRE 24 HOURS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION. WITH APPROVED CREDIT, 1.9% APR FINANCING ON 2004 CIVICS AND ELEMENTS WITH LIMTIED TERMS, OFFERS NOT IN COMBINATION, BASED ON YEAR TO DATE A.H.M.

RETAIL SALES OBJECTIVES. ON HONDA JUNE RETAIL SALES. CREST HONDA I-65 EXIT 85 METROCENTER AUTOPLEX 1-800-236-4285 2215 METRO CENTER BLVD. CREST HONDA www.cresthonda.com www.cresthonda.com www.cresthonda.com www.cresthonda.com www.cresthonda.com www.cresthonda.com www.cresthonda.com www.cresthonda.com www.cresthonda.com www.cresthonda.com www.cresthonda.com www.cresthonda.co www.cresthonda.com www.cresthonda.com www.cresthonda.com www.cresthonda.com www.cresthonda.com www.cresthonda HONDA CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLES 2001 CHEVY TRACKER Z2 OPEN LABOR DAY 2002 HONDA CRV LX 4WD, Nice, Must See 4-Door, Sedan, Loaded 2000 HONDA ODYSSEY LX Power Quad Seating, Rear 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY EX Must See Loaded! H5108A 2001 HONDA CIVIC Clean, Nice Nice Car 1996 HONDA PRELUDE Black, Rare- Power Cruise Control, CD, Platinum With Gray Interior $15,950 $15,950 $9,999 $19,950 $11,950 $12,950 $6,950 $18,950 2002 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 2002 HONDA CIVIC QUALITY PRE-OWNED VEHICLES 2002 CHRYSLER SEBRING LXI NEW 2004 HONDA PILOT EX KEYLESS ENTRY MUCH MORE! YF1844EW PER MONTH FOR ONLY 36 MONTHS 299 LEASE FOR ONLY: NEW 2004 HONDA ELEMENT EX 2WD ENTRY MUCH MORE! YH1854PLW 1.9 AS LOW AS: APR FINANCING AVAILABLE FOR UP TO 36 MONTHS NEW 2004 HONDA ODYSSEY EX-RES WHEELS AND MUCH MORE! RL1884PKW PER MONTH FOR ONLY 24 MONTHS 259 LEASE FOR ONLY: NEW 2004 HONDA ACCORD LX CD, MUCH MORE! CM5634PLW PER MONTH FOR ONLY 36 MONTHS 199 LEASE FOR ONLY: CHECK OUT THE FUEL EFFICIENT HONDA LINE-UP! AS LOW AS 1.9 APR FINANCING PCL glance AMERICAN CONFERENCE Central DivisionWLPct.GB Iowa Col. Springs Omaha Albuquerque Eastern DivisionWLPct.GB Oklahoma Memphis New Orleans Nashville PACIFIC CONFERENCE Northern DivisionWLPct.GB Portland Tacoma Edmonton Salt Lake Southern DivisionWLPct.GB Sacramento Tucson Las Vegas Fresno results Edmonton at Fresno Nashville 9, Memphis 8 New Orleans at Colorado Springs Oklahoma at Albuquerque Omaha at Iowa Sacramento at Portland Salt Lake at Las Vegas Tucson at Tacoma games Edmonton at Fresno Nashville at Memphis New Orleans at Colorado Springs Oklahoma at Albuquerque Omaha at Iowa Sacramento at Portland Salt Lake at Las Vegas Tucson at Tacoma Game at a glance Winning pitcher: Justin Reid (5-3).

Big sticks: Rich Thompson 2-4, 3 runs scored, 4 RBI, grand slam HR; Luis Figueroa 3-5, HR, 1 RBI; Freddy Sanchez, 2-4, 4 RBI. How they won: Thompson hit grand slam in second inning and Sounds went on to build 7-4 lead after four innings. REPORTS NASHVILLE 9, MEMPHIS 8 NashvilleABRHBIMemphisABRHBI Tompson, cf4324Prieto cf4110 FigueroaL 3b5131Hart ss4100 Sanchez 2b4024Haynes ph1000 Truby 1b4000Witt 3b5231 House c5010Gall lf3100 Allen 1b5123 Davis rf0100Porter rf4212 Shldon lf4000Mahoney c4021 de la Rosa ss4110Cummings p2000 Reid p2110 Colina 2 0 0 0 Rivera ph101 0 Hackman p11 1 0 Totals399129Totals374124 E- Allen, J. Gall. 1.

7, Memphis 9. Rivera (19), Porter (19). HR: Thompson (4) L. Figueroa (4), Burnham (2) NashvilleIPHRERBBSO Reid (W, 5-3)585438 Martin100000 Hackman100011 Mahomes110001 Corey (S, 00000 MemphisIPHRERBBSO Cummings (L, 0-1)697315 Paronto232210 Rawson100000 Nashville 9 Memphis 8 By ELIZABETH BETTS HICKMAN StaffWriter SHELBYVILLE Tonight, when close to 30,000 Tennessee Walking Horse fans from around the world strain the capacity at the famed outdoor ring at the Celebration, watch grand champions crowned in several different divisions. The best weanlings and 2-year-olds will be showing for top honors in their respective classes, as will various others.

But after the Owner-Amateur Riders, the lights will dim and the final class will begin: Class 152, The Tennessee Walking Horse Grand Championship. Final night is special, and the 66th final night at the Celebration. At stake in the World Grand Championship is not only the title, but $50,000 in prize money $15,000 to the winner numerous trophies and huge financial dividends when a horse enters a breeding program. And this year, a talented group of horses enter the final stake with excellent prospects and a lot of fans: The Black Night Shade: This 6- year-old black stallion, trained by Jimmy McConnell of Union City, was the unanimous winner in the Division of the Aged Stallions class last Saturday night. Owned by Tom and Judy Waite of Florida, the horse, who is by Poison out of Call Girl, was grand champion at the National Show, The Gulf Coast Charity Show and the Germantown Charity Horse Show this year.

biggest thing about this horse is his natural said McConnell, 57, who started The Black Night Shade when he was a young colt and notes that he has really filled out and come into his own in the last year. just think a really deserving horse, and at the top of his game All Star: A 7-year-old stallion trained by Carl Edwards Sons Stables of Dawson, All Star won the A Division of the Aged Stallions class here last Saturday. The horse is the son of Hard Cash, who won the World Grand Championship in 1987 with trainer Larry Edwards, 62, in the irons. Edwards will be riding All Star tonight. like his Edwards said.

working good and been real good all All Star was third in the big class in 2002 but did not compete at this event last year because of an injury. Outlaw Josey Wales: Trained by Billy Gray of Southern Comfort Stables in Shelbyville, Outlaw Josey Wales has enjoyed a big 2004 show season and was named grand champion at shows in Harrodsburg, Columbia, Bethesda, Lynchburg and Wartrace. He was second in Division of the Aged Stallions class at the Celebration. The 5-year-old chestnut stallion was started as a colt by Gray, who notes that Outlaw Josey Wales was reserve grand champion 2-year-old and won the 4- year-old stallion class at The Celebration. had the potential and possibility all his said Gray, who notes that the stallion is working well and has the whole package: handsome looks, great action and a great disposition.

Main Power: Trained by Franklin- based David Landrum Stables and Joe Cotten, who will be riding him tonight, Main Power is a 5-year-old black stallion owned by Bob Kilgore, Neal Holland and Gus King. Last 4-year-old world grand champion, Main Power took second place in the A Division of the Aged Stallions class at the Celebration last Saturday night. got great stamina, his big said Landrum, who notes that this is a horse athletic and loves being in the show ring. hotter it gets and the longer it goes, Shout: A 7-year-old gray mare trained and ridden by Sammy Day of Shelbyville, Shout is trying to become the first female horse to win the world grand championship at the Celebration since White Star won in 1954. By Bold Design out of Beauty Mark, Shout shown this year until the Celebration.

However, she won the unanimous blue ribbon in the Aged Mares class Sunday night and is working well. very capable of winning the World Grand said Day. would do a lot for the industry to bring people into it to have a mare win Note: In the center ring tonight, the officials will all be wearing ribbons to honor two longtime ringmasters who passed away since the 2003 Celebration: Mark Farrar, Sr. of Flat Creek, and Jimmy Cole of Jackson. Elizabeth Betts Hickman is covering The Celebration for The Tennessean Reach her at 259-8010.

Five horses rate as top contenders Celebration to crown grand champ tonight 66th annual National Celebration Where: Shelbyville Ticket information: 931-684-5915 On the Web tennessean.com/sports to find out how Shout, a mare, could steal the show in final. MINOR LEAGUES Next: Today at Memphis When: 6:05 p.m. By MAURICE PATTON StaffWriter After all the paperwork has been submitted, it turns out the Nashville Sounds are one of five Class AAA baseball teams officially in search of a major-league affiliation for the 2005 season. The Sounds and Pittsburgh filed with Minor League Baseball and Major League Baseball, respectively, last month to explore the possibility of signing player development contracts (PDCs) elsewhere. Other major league teams that filed are: Houston, which has been affiliated with New Orleans of the Pacific Coast League since 1997; Kansas City, which has been affiliated with Omaha (PCL) since the inception in 1969; Montreal, which was with Edmonton (PCL) for the past two seasons; and Milwaukee, which has been with Indianapolis of the International League since 2000.

Edmonton will be relocated to Round Rock, Texas, for the season and all indications are the Astros will enter a working agreement with that team. Given the longstanding relationship between Kansas City and Omaha, likely the two will reach an agreement. going to talk to Pittsburgh, Montreal and Sounds General Manager Glenn Yaeger said. Teams may begin negotiations on Monday. Any teams that have not forged working agreements by Sept.

25 will have affiliations designated by the office. Pirates officials have said they would prefer to have a Triple-A team in the International League, and are expected to enter talks with Indianapolis. However, Yaeger said he would be open to the return if that becomes the best option for the Sounds. we have a great relationship with he said. people go through due diligence, the grass always greener.

If Pittsburgh explores that possibility (Indianapolis), going to continue to keep that line of communication open. going to explore our options also and weigh those against our relationship with Sounds, four others seek affiliations AUTO RACING Nextel Pop Secret 500 At California Speedway Fontana, Calif. Race distance: 500 miles, 250 laps (Car number in parentheses) 1. (25) Brian Vickers, Chevrolet, 187.417 mph. 2.

(19) Jeremy Mayfield, Dodge, 186.364. 3. (98) Bill Elliott, Dodge, 186.306. 4. (97) Kurt Busch, Ford, 185.955.

5. (9) Kasey Kahne, Dodge, 185.816. 6. (41) Casey Mears, Dodge, 185.802. 7.

(16) Greg Biffle, Ford, 185.773. 8. (24) Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet, 185.658. 9. (10) Scott Riggs, Chevrolet, 185.557.

10. (01) Joe Nemechek, Chevrolet, 185.553. 11. (6) Mark Martin, Ford, 185.529. 12.

(8) Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet, 185.266. 13. (43) Jeff Green, Dodge, 185.261. 14. (12) Ryan Newman, Dodge, 185.180.

15. (5) Terry Labonte, Chevrolet, 184.810. 16. (48) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 184.772. 17.

(38) Elliott Sadler, Ford, 184.431. 18. (84) Kyle Busch, Chevrolet, 184.374. 19. (99) Carl Edwards, Ford, 184.360.

20. (21) Ricky Rudd, Ford, 184.195. 21. (15) Michael Waltrip, Chevrolet, 184.153. 22.

(77) Brendan Gaughan, Dodge, 184.106. 23. (42) Jamie McMurray, Dodge, 184.091. 24. (32) Bobby Hamilton Chevrolet, 184.073.

25. (88) Dale Jarrett, Ford, 183.932. 26. (2) Rusty Wallace, Dodge, 183.899. 27.

(29) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 183.734. 28. (45) Kyle Petty, Dodge, 183.673. 29. (23) Shane Hmiel, Dodge, 183.613.

30. (17) Matt Kenseth, Ford, 183.589. 31. (40) Sterling Marlin, Dodge, 183.486. 32.

(11) J.J. Yeley, Chevrolet, 183.243. 33. (20) Tony Stewart, Chevrolet, 183.206. 34.

(30) Jeff Burton, Chevrolet, 182.987. 35. (31) Robby Gordon, Chevrolet, 182.788. 36. (36) Boris Said, Chevrolet, 182.778.

37. (18) Bobby Labonte, Chevrolet, 182.741. 38. (22) Scott Wimmer, Dodge, 182.551. 39.

(0) Ward Burton, Chevrolet, Provisional. 40. (49) Ken Schrader, Dodge, Provisional. 41. (4) Jimmy Spencer, Chevrolet, Provisional.

42. (50) Jeff Fuller, Dodge, Provisional. 43. (96) Derrike Cope, Ford, Provisional. Failed to qualify.

44. (37) Kevin Lepage, Dodge, 180.591. 45. (02) Hermie Sadler, Chevrolet, 179.730. 46.

(35) Mike Wallace, Dodge, 179.368. 47. (89) Morgan Shepherd, Dodge, 178.191. 48. (72) Kirk Shelmerdine, Ford, 176.592.

Busch Target House 300 Today at California Speedway Fontana, Calif. Lap length: 2 miles 1. (41) Casey Mears, Dodge, 182.890 mph. 2. (8) Martin Truex Chevrolet, 182.228.

3. (38) Kasey Kahne, Dodge, 181.997. 4. (5) Kyle Busch, Chevrolet, 181.837. 5.

(87) Joe Nemechek, Chevrolet, 181.196. 6. (23) Kenny Wallace, Chevrolet, 181.182. 7. (20) Mike Bliss, Chevrolet, 181.164.

8. (37) David Green, Pontiac, 180.991. 9. (17) Matt Kenseth, Ford, 180.950. 10.

(99) Michael Waltrip, Chevrolet, 180.877. 11. (00) Jason Leffler, Chevrolet, 180.755. 12. (32) David Stremme, Dodge, 180.320.

13. (2) Ron Hornaday Chevrolet, 180.140. 14. (60) Greg Biffle, Ford, 180.131. 15.

(14) Casey Atwood, Chevrolet, 179.780. 16. (44) Justin Labonte, Dodge, 179.672. 17. (25) Mike McLaughlin, Ford, 179.627.

18. (12) Tim Fedewa, Chevrolet, 179.305. 19. (11) Paul Menard, Chevrolet, 179.274. 20.

(66) Jamie McMurray, Dodge, 179.127. 21. (22) Jason Keller, Ford, 179.078. 22. (18) Bobby Labonte, Chevrolet, 179.011.

23. (21) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 178.842. 24. (4) Mike Wallace, Ford, 178.585. 25.

(27) Johnny Sauter, Chevrolet, 178.456. 26. (1) Sterling Marlin, Dodge, 178.346. 27. (74) Tony Raines, Chevrolet, 178.253.

28. (46) Ashton Lewis Chevrolet, 178.183. 29. (35) Wally Dallenbach, Ford, 178.174. 30.

(47) Robert Pressley, Ford, 178.134. 31. (59) Stacy Compton, Ford, 177.809. 32. (72) Kevin Lepage, Chevrolet, 176.661.

33. (88) Jeff Fuller, Chevrolet, 176.315. 34. (07) Jimmy Kitchens, Ford, 175.623. 35.

(71) Stan Boyd, Chevrolet, 175.597. 36. (85) Kenny Hendrick, Chevrolet, 175.426. 37. (10) Gus Wasson, Chevrolet, 174.961.

38. (49) Derrike Cope, Ford, 174.804. 39. (39) Tina Gordon, Ford, provisional. 40.

(24) Steve Grissom, Chevrolet, provisional. 41. (77) Bruce Bechtel, Ford, provisional. 42. (51) Stanton Barrett, Dodge, provisional.

43. (96) Shane Hall, Chevrolet, provisional. Failed to qualify 44. (57) Morgan Shepherd, Chevrolet, 171.086. By LARRY WOODY StaffWriter Wade Buttrey can put a virtual lock on the Music City Motorplex season championship with a sweep of doubleheader.

The regular season ends next Saturday with another doubleheader in all events, but Buttrey could have the Late Model title under wraps by then. The Fairview racer owns a 17- point lead over Mark Day, who has said winning the championship is not a priority. Buttrey, however, made it his goal from the start of the season. The Late Model races are part of a schedule that begins at 7 p.m. Rookie Willie Allen is third in the standings, followed by defending champion Bo Miller.

Joe Henderson III, participating in a NASCAR-endorsed diversity program, is 11th and Mandy Moore, the only female driver, is 12th. Moore is one of just nine drivers who have run all 16 races this season. Joe Buford ran only nine races and is 15th in the standings, way out of contention for a record-breaking fifth championship. Scott Borchetta is closing in on his second consecutive SuperTruck championship. He has four wins to second-place Steve seven, but a one-race suspension set Pendergrass back in the standings.

Derrick Johnson leads the Grand National Sportsman standings, Matt Barnes the Super Stocks, Nicholas Formosa the Front Runners and Josh Berry the Junior Front Runners. Races also are scheduled tonight at Highland Rim Speedway and other area tracks. Larry Woody writes about auto racing for The Tennessean. He can be reached at or 259-8019. Sweep would assure Buttrey ofMotorplex championship By MIKE HARRIS Associated Press FONTANA, Calif.

Jeremy Mayfield and Kasey Kahne need a good race at California Speedway. The Evernham Motorsports teammates, who are just outside the top 10 in the NASCAR Nextel Cup season points, got off to a good start yesterday, qualifying second and fifth in the 43-car field for the Pop Secret 500. Both are battling for spots in new Chase for the Nextel Cup with only two races remaining until the championship contenders are pared to the top 10 for the 10-race run to the finish. The qualifying effort by Mayfield, tied for 12th in the standings, and Kahne, tied for 11th in the points, overshadowed the second career pole of Brian Vickers, who turned a lap at 187.417 mph. Also overshadowed was the strong showing by 48-year-old Bill Elliott, the semiretired former series champion who qualified at 186.364.

car was Vickers said. guys did a good job. It stuck. What else can I Mayfield slipped in between Vickers and Elliott with a lap of 186.364, with Kurt Busch right behind Elliott at 185.955 and Kahne next at 185.816. Nashville-area driver Bobby Hamilton who is running his first Nextel Cup race since replacing Ricky Craven in the No.

32 PPI Motorsports car, qualified 24th. Sterling Marlin is 31st. Mears on Busch pole: Casey Mears claimed the top qualifying spot for the Target House 300 Busch Series race at California Speedway. Mears, a Nextel Cup regular, drove his Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge to a top lap of 182.890 mph. Good qualifying runs boost Mayfield, Kahne Pop Secret 500 When: Tomorrow at 6 p.m.

TV: WSMV-4 Target House 300 When: Today at 2 p.m. TV: WSMV-4 By HOWARD FENDRICH Associated Press NEW YORK Jennifer Capriati lobbied for instant replay yesterday at the U.S. Open. And that was after a victory. Juan Carlos Ferrero was angry about getting docked a point while losing in the second round just one year after reaching the Open final.

a lot of griping going on at Flushing Meadows. Chair umpires not treat all players the Ferrero said after a 7-6 (7-2), 4-6, 6-7 (8-6), 6-2, 6-3 defeat against Stefan Koubek. Perhaps the complaining is due to so many surprising results and tight matches, including tougher-than-expected 6-0, 6-7 (74), 6-3 win against 17-year-old Russian Vera Douchevina. Having finally moved ahead in the third set, Capriati thought she earned a match point when a shot by Douchevina appeared long. But the chair umpire disagreed.

With instant replay of some sort now used in the NBA, NHL and NFL, Capriati thinks time for tennis to catch up. like to know what waiting she said. While Capriati got by in the third round, No. 7 Ferrero and No. 12 Sebastien Grosjean joined the roster of seeded players making early exits.

No. 23 Vince Spadea lost, too, leaving Andy Roddick playing later last night and Andre Agassi as the only two of 17 U.S. men left. Never before had fewer than three Americans reached the third round. Capriati struggles into fourth round Associated Press Even before he took the first- round lead at the Deutsche Bank Championship, Tiger Woods was having a good day.

Mark neighbor and tour mentor, was the leader in the clubhouse when Woods teed off in the afternoon at the TPC of Boston. Woods then went out and shot a 6-under 65 to tie for the lead with Ryan Palmer, one stroke ahead of and two others. time you have one of your best buds up there on top of the board, always Woods said. Woods, who has won just once this year, has a first-round lead for the first time since he won the 2003 Western Open. The tournament benefits the Tiger Woods Foundation.

was tied with Cameron Beckman and Jonathan Byrd. Kim leads at State Farm: Christina Kim followed a record-tying opening round with a 6-under 66 for a four-stroke at the LPGA State Farm Classic in Springfield, Ill. One day after matching the course record of 10-under 62, Kim is at 16-under 128. Cristie Kerr surged into contention with a 9- under 63 to get to 132. Jennifer Rosales moved to 11 under.

Eger leads First Tee: Former PGA Tour official David Eger shot a 5- under 67 to take a one-stroke lead over D.A. Weibring after the first round of the Champions inaugural First Tee Open in Pebble Beach, Calif. Eger served two terms on the PGA Tour staff. Ryder Cup team member Jay Haas was among 10 players at Woods shares Boston lead GOLF U.S. OPEN City.