1979 stories by Steve Bittenbender
Virginia Favored to Win It All as NCAA Tournament Reaches the Final Four
The last teams still standing in the NCAA Tournament all landed in Minneapolis Wednesday to begin preparations for this weekend’s Final Four. Michigan State, Texas Tech, Virginia and Auburn will all take to the court at U.S. Bank Stadium Saturday evening with the...
Puerto Rico Officials Pursue Legalized Sports Betting to Spur Tourism
Puerto Rico officials announced earlier this week that they will pursue legalized sports betting in an attempt to promote the Caribbean island as a tourist destination. The plan has the support of Gov. Ricardo Rossello, who unveiled the legislation on Monday. Not...
After Latest Fatality, California Horse Racing Board to Mull ‘Options’ to Consider Moving Santa Anita Dates
The California Horse Racing Board on Tuesday called a special meeting for April 12 to discuss the possible reallocation of race dates granted to Santa Anita Park. The move came just two days after the latest death at the acclaimed track, which...
Montana Legislature Weighs Two Sports Betting Bills on Tight Chamber Deadlines
The Montana State Legislature has beaten the deadline to advance two bills that could legalize sports betting in the state. On Saturday, a state House bill that would give oversight to the state lottery passed by an 88-10 vote. The state Senate,...
Kentucky Derby Spots Scored by Maximum Security, Plus Que Parfait, as Favorites Falter in Prep Races
March ended up not being a good month to be a betting favorite on the Kentucky Derby trail. Nine Derby preps -- counting each division of the Rebel separately -- were run in the US last month. In those races, only one race-time...
Humane Society of the United States Calls for Santa Anita to Suspend Racing After Another Horse Dies
A national animal welfare group on Monday called for officials at Santa Anita Park to suspend racing after a horse died due to injuries he suffered during a race Sunday, just three days after the California track reopened. The fatal injury to...
NCAA Tournament Elite Eight Preview: Duke, Michigan State, Auburn, and Kentucky Seek Final Four Spots Sunday
The NCAA Tournament will fill out the remaining two slots for the Final Four on Sunday. One matchup will feature two blue blood programs, while the other features blue blood facing a conference rival better known for its football excellence. Sunday’s first...
NCAA Tournament Classic Between Virginia and Purdue Ends with a Bad Beat
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Virginia and Purdue played an instant classic of an NCAA Tournament basketball game Saturday night, with the Cavaliers pulling out an 80-75 overtime victory in the South Regional Final at the Yum Center to advance to their first Final...
NCAA Tournament Elite Eight Games on Saturday Feature Basketball Teams with Contrasting Styles
The first two tickets to the Final Four get punched on Saturday night in the NCAA Basketball Tournament. In Anaheim, Calif., top-seeded Gonzaga seeks its second trip to the national semifinals in three seasons as the Bulldogs face Texas Tech, which has...
Kentucky Derby Contender Hidden Scroll Seeking Better Trip in Florida Prep Saturday
The road to the Kentucky Derby will be a road to redemption for Hidden Scroll on Saturday. Four weeks ago, the colt went off as the 6-5 favorite in the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park. It was his stakes debut...
