Times wires
Friday, June 3, 2011
Horse racing
Jockey died of drug overdose, coroner says
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Jockey Michael Baze, who won nearly 1,000 races in a nine-year career, died from an accidental overdose of cocaine and a prescription pain medication before his body was found last month at Churchill Downs, the coroner's office said Friday.
Baze, 24, was pronounced dead May 10 in his vehicle near the stables. The cause was multiple substance intoxication, Jefferson County deputy coroner Jim Wesley said. Significant amounts of cocaine and the pain medication oxymorphone were found in Baze's system, said Wesley, citing toxicology results.
Baze was facing a drug possession charge at the time of his death. The week he died, he was scheduled to appear at a preliminary hearing on a charge of first-degree possession of cocaine stemming from a November arrest. He was supposed to ride a horse that day at Churchill Downs.
Baze was the son of retired jockey Mike Baze. A cousin is all-time leading rider Russell Baze.
Uncle mo has inflamed liver: Uncle Mo, last year's 2-year-old champion, has been diagnosed with an inflamed liver. He could resume training this summer. The diagnosis was announced after seven weeks of testing. He trained up to the Kentucky Derby, but trainer Todd Pletcher scratched him because of health concerns the day before the May 7 race.
Little league
Boy dies after pitch hits him in the chest
A 13-year-old Arizona boy died after a ball hit him over the heart as he tried to bunt in a game, officials in his Little League said.
Hayden Walton took a pitch to the chest during the game Tuesday, said Jamey Jones, a Winslow, Ariz., Little League official. "After that, he took two steps to first base and collapsed," Jones said.
Hayden died the next morning at a hospital.
His parents, who were at the game, are too upset to comment, league president and family spokesman Dale Thomas said.
Winslow is a town of about 9,500 about 170 miles northeast of Phoenix.
Soccer
Ex-FBI chief's group hired in bribe case
The sport's governing body, FIFA, hired former FBI director Louis Freeh's investigations agency to gather evidence after allegations that former presidential candidate Mohamed bin Hammam and FIFA vice president Jack Warner offered $40,000 bribes to voters during the presidential campaign.
The two deny arranging bribes. Bin Hammam withdrew his candidacy Sunday, before FIFA's ethics panel provisionally suspended him and Warner pending a full hearing. Incumbent Sepp Blatter was re-elected unopposed Wednesday.
Times wires