Heavens Stairway wins feature at Santa Anita

Heavens Stairway wins feature at Santa Anita

ARCADIA, Calif.

Heavens Stairway pounced on pacesetter Mark of a Gem approaching the furlong pole and went on to a 3 1/4-length victory in the $60,000 feature for older fillies and mares Thursday at Santa Anita.

Ridden by Tyler Baze, Heavens Stairway ran 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course in 1:11.98 and paid $4.80, $3.40 and $2.80 as the 7-5 favorite. Kool Kat returned $9 and $6.20, while Grazenette was another length back in third and paid $5.20 to show.

The victory, worth $46,800, increased Heavens Stairway’s career earnings to $183,560, with five wins in 11 starts. All of her victories have come in six races on the Santa Anita turf course.

Pence breaks arm in Giants’ win over Cubs

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.

San Francisco outfielder Hunter Pence broke his left forearm and will be sidelined six to eight weeks after being hit by a pitch in the sixth inning of the Giants’ 8-6 victory over a Chicago Cubs split-squad Thursday.

He was hit by a pitch from the Cubs’ Corey Black and went to first base before being removed for a pinch runner.

“It didn’t look good,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “You hate to see it but these things do happen. Guys work so hard to get ready.”

X-rays showed Pence has a non-displaced fracture in his left forearm.

MLB players union rips leaks on Hamilton talk

ANAHEIM, Calif.

The Major League Baseball Players Association is furious about leaks of information surrounding Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton.

In a statement Thursday, the union says the anonymous leaks about Hamilton’s situation “are cowardly, undermine the integrity of our collectively bargained agreements and in some instances have been wholly inaccurate.”

Many media outlets have reported that Hamilton, whose substance abuse problems have been well-documented for years, had a recent relapse involving cocaine and alcohol.

The union says information has been leaked by “people who want to see Josh Hamilton hurt personally and professionally.”

Panthers inviting the public to goalie tryouts

SUNRISE, Fla.

The Florida Panthers are holding goalie auditions for anyone who wants to play.

No, really.

The Panthers announced Thursday plans for a contest that will give someone a amateur try-out contract and the chance to be Florida’s backup practice goalie — for one day.

Earlier this week, the Panthers considered putting a forward or an assistant coach in goal after regular netminders Roberto Luongo and Al Montoya were both injured in the same game.

Panthers executive chairman Peter Luukko says the team expects “a great turnout for this ultimate fan experience.” Successful applicants will be invited to a tryout on March 16, two finalists will then go head-to-head during an intermission of Florida’s game against Montreal on March 17, and the winner gets a contract.

Wire reports