nation

nation

NBA All-Star TV ratings increase

NEW YORK — The NBA All-Star game, featuring a Kobe Bryant-Shaquille O’Neal reunion, drew a preliminary rating on TNT that was up 6 percent from last year.

The game in Phoenix on Sunday night produced a 4.1 fast national rating and was watched by about 6.86 million viewers, the network said Monday.

The West beat the East 146-119, with Bryant and O’Neal sharing MVP honors.

The All-Star game has been shown on TNT the last seven seasons.

Michigan QB to transfer

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan quarterback Steven Threet says he has been given his release from the school and plans to transfer.

Threet said in a statement Monday he does not yet know where he will continue his college career.

School spokesman David Ablauf declined to comment.

Threet enrolled early at Georgia Tech in 2007 but transferred to Michigan before fall camp. After sitting out the 2007 season under NCAA rules, Threet started eight games for the Wolverines in 2008.

The 6-foot-6, 230-pounder from Adrian completed 102 of 210 passes for 1,105 yards and nine touchdowns last season.

Sheriff: No pot charge for Phelps after photo

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A South Carolina sheriff said Monday he was not going to charge swimmer Michael Phelps after a photo of the 14-time gold medalist showed him smoking from a marijuana pipe.

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said during a news conference that he didn’t have enough physical evidence to charge the swimmer, but he defended his investigation.

“Michael Phelps is truly an American hero ... but even with his star status, he is still obligated to obey the laws of our state,” Lott said.

Busy racing afternoon

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Brian Sears drove seven winners on the Presidents Day afternoon card at the Meadowlands, including Oliver Cleo in the featured $73,500 Art Unger Stake.

Besides winning the featured sixth race, Sears won the day’s first two races on the card with Mrs Grant Seven and CR Dream Catcher. He also won the fourth, eighth, ninth and 10th races.

Southwest Stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — Old Fashioned won the Southwest Stakes on Monday, passing Silver City on the second turn to remain undefeated in the first of Oaklawn Park’s three big Kentucky Derby prep races.

Silver City held on gamely for second place, about three lengths behind the heavy favorite. Longshot Buzzin and Dreamin was third.

Old Fashioned, trained by Larry Jones with Ramon Dominguez aboard, was a 2-5 favorite as the horses entered the starting gate. He moved immediately to the front early on, then settled in behind Silver City on the backstretch. He then made his move with ease to take the lead and held on to win comfortably.

Big A feature

NEW YORK — West Coast Flier extended his winning streak to four Monday, capturing the $49,000 allowance feature at Aqueduct by four lengths.

The 5-year-old gelding, ridden by Pablo Morales and trained by Gary Contessa, won for the ninth time in 27 starts. The time was 1:09.91 for the six furlongs on the fast track.

West Coast Flier paid $9.90, $4.50 and $2.70. Band of Thunder returned $4.10 and $2.50. Temecula Creek, the 9-5 favorite, paid $2.10 to show.

world

Pujols will not play

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols says he will not play for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic because of insurance issues.

Pujols, who hit .357 with 37 home runs and 116 RBIs for the Cardinals, says he regrets not being able to represent his native country in this year’s WBC. He played for the Dominican team in 2006.

Pujols says he is 100 percent physically “but the insurance does not want to cover” him to play, leaving the Dominican Republic without one of its biggest stars. He made the comments Monday during a conference call with Dominican baseball officials.

Armstrong not yet back

MADRID — Lance Armstrong isn’t quite at his competitive best but he’s not far off, according to Astana teammate and former Tour de France champion Alberto Contador.

Armstrong sits fifth in the overall standings at the Tour of California — 1 minute, 5 seconds behind leader Francisco Mancebo of Rock Racing.

It is the second race for Armstrong following last month’s Tour Down Under. The 37-year-old cyclist, who came out of retirement three years after clinching his seventh straight Tour title, finished 71st in Australia.

Eduardo scores pair

LONDON — Eduardo da Silva scored twice in his return to Arsenal after a nearly one-year layoff caused by a broken leg, leading the Gunners over Cardiff 4-0 Monday night and into the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Eduardo scored in the 20th minute with a header off a cross from Carlos Vela, then beat goalkeeper Tom Heaton with a penalty kick in the 60th after he was brought down by Gavin Rae.

Vindicator staff/wire reports