Injury ends career of Point Given

Point Given, the strapping chestnut colt who became America's Horse, will not race again because of a leg injury.

"It's a big blow," trainer Bob Baffert said Friday at Del Mar in announcing Point Given's retirement because of a strain to a tendon in his left foreleg.

"I've never had a horse like this. The following this horse was building up was great."

Point Given followed up his disappointing fifth-place finish as the favorite in the Kentucky Derby with victories in the other two Triple Crown races, the Preakness and Belmont Stakes.

He then won before record crowds in the Haskell Invitation Handicap on Aug. 5 and the Travers last Saturday.

Baffert said it was not known when the colt hurt himself.

Busch wins pole spot for Southern 500DARLINGTON, S.C. -- Winston Cup rookie Kurt Busch won his first career pole Friday, holding off Darlington dominator Jeff Gordon in qualifying for the Southern 500.

Busch finished his lap at 168.048 mph, edging out Gordon's run of 167.916 mph at Darlington Raceway.

Busch became the first rookie to win a Darlington pole since the late Davey Allison in 1987.

Royals reportedly seek massive renovation

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Royals are not "putting a gun to anyone's head" as the club negotiates with Jackson County on millions of dollars worth of improvements to Kauffman Stadium, team president Dan Glass said.

Glass on Thursday declined to confirm reports that the team had shocked county officials by insisting their lease entitled them to as much as $63 million in renovations to the 28-year-old stadium.

Glass said the club might soon have more to say on the subject.

Yanks acquire Velarde from Rangers

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The New York Yankees added infielder Randy Velarde for the stretch run, acquiring him from the Texas Rangers on Friday in exchange for two players to be named later.

Velarde will join the Yankees today in Boston.

He is batting .297 with nine home runs and 31 RBIs in 78 games with Texas this season. He was on the disabled list from May 25 to July 12 with a pulled hamstring. Texas acquired him from Oakland in November.

-- From wire reports