Parker scores record 23 to lead West in WNBA

Parker scores record 23 to lead West in WNBA

UNCASVILLE, Conn.

Candace Parker scored a record 23 points in her WNBA All-Star debut to lead the West to a 102-98 win over the East.

Parker had missed the 2011 All-Star game because of a knee injury and was working her way back from pregnancy in 2009.

Her Los Angeles Sparks teammate Kristi Toliver added 21 points, 19 in the second half.

Ohio Derby

NORTH RANDALL, Ohio

Title Contender began the year as a high-strung, hard-to-handle 3-year-old, but on Saturday he was almost all business in winning the 79th running of the $100,000 Ohio Derby at Thistledown Racino.

Monogolian Saturday, with Carlos Montalvo in the saddle, set the pace from the starting gate all the way to the final turn as jockey Hector Rosario Jr. kept Title Contender a close second. Title Contender didn’t seem ready to make a late charge until jockey Pablo Morales and Braveman tried to pass him in the final turn and chase down the leader.

Mercer Raceway

Mercer, PA

Rain settled over Mercer Raceway Park once again on Saturday, postponing the Meet Your Heroes Night.

A practice session will take place on Wednesday.

This is open to all types of race cars. Gates will open at 4 and practice will continue until dusk.

Sharon Speedway

Hartford

After racing for 12 straight events from April 20-June 22, Sharon Speedway suffered its fourth rain out in the past five events on Saturday.

Sharon Speedway will return to racing on August 3 with “Steel Valley Thunder” featuring the Governor Insurance Agency DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds, Barris Supply RUSH Late Models, Summit Racing Equipment Modifieds, Gibson Insurance Agency Stock Cars, HTMA/Precise Racing Products Econo Mods and the Deforest Used Parts Mini Stocks.

Sunfire Blue Chip wins $450,000 Adios Final

WASHINGTON, PA.

With one quick, decisive burst to the front, Sunfire Blue Chip won Saturday’s $450,000 final of the Delvin Miller Adios at The Meadows by 3/4 lengths in 1:48.3.

Vegas Vacation and Word Power, who both ducked, rallied from well back to finish second and third, respectively.

Winning driver Yannick Gingras idled for a moment before hustling Sunfire Blue Chip to an opening in the three hole.

Matt Hagan tops NHRA Funny Car qualifying

SONOMA, Calif.

Matt Hagan topped Funny Car qualifying Saturday in the NHRA Sonoma Nationals.

No one bettered Hagan’s track-record run of 3.986 seconds at 320.51 mph in his Dodge Charger from Friday, giving the Virginia driver his third No. 1 of the year and 13th overall. The 2011 series champion has three event victories this season.

“Dickie (Venables, crew chief) and the Magneti Marelli/Rocky Boots guys put a great horse underneath me that I had the opportunity to ride without messing it up,” Hagan said.

Hungarian GP

BUDAPEST, Hungary

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton will start from pole position for the fourth time this season after setting the fastest time at the end of qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix on Saturday.

The driver seemed surprised when his team announced over the race radio that he had beaten three-time defending Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel.

Soap Box Derby

AKRON

More than 440 racers have given their all in the 76th All-American Soap Box Derby.

The Saturday derby in Akron featured competitors from the United States and other countries competing for a share of $30,000 in scholarships.

Fourteen-year-old Ricky Desens of Webster, N.Y., won the Rally Super Stock division. Bryce Volpe, 14, of Mentor won the Super Stock division.

Vindicator staff/wire reports