HORSE RACING

Prado chosen for Hall of Fame

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - It's been nearly two years since the ill-fated Barbaro left jockey Edgar Prado searching for words after their triumph together in the Kentucky Derby. Prado had trouble talking again yesterday after learning he had been selected for induction into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame.

"I'm just speechless," said Prado, who grew up in a racing family of 11 children in Peru and began his riding career there at age 16. "I'm shaking like a leaf."

Prado was the track champion at Colonial Downs in 1997 (59 wins) and '98 (39 wins). He also rode three Virginia Derby winners at Colonial Downs (2002-04). Prado, 40, has 6,040 victories.

Two-time Derby winning trainer Carl Nafzger, Inside Information, a champion filly in the 1990s, and Manila, a grass specialist who won 12 of his final 15 races in the 1980s, also were among six honorees voted into the hall.

Ismael Valenzuela, a two-time Derby-winning jockey, and the California-bred Ancient Title were selected to the hall by the Historic Review Committee. The Class of 2008 will be inducted Aug. 4.

OVERLINE

Spurs' Ginobili wins Sixth Man Award

SAN ANTONIO - San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili - good enough to be a starter on about any team - won the NBA's Sixth Man Award, which is given to the league's best reserve. Ginobili led the Spurs in scoring, averaging a career-high 19.5 points to go with 4.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists. He came off the bench in 51 of the 74 games he played this season.

"He's one of the better players in the NBA, who just happens to come off the bench," said Spurs starting guard Michael Finley. "Any other team in the league, he'd probably be starting, but for him to come off the bench and put his ego aside it just shows what kind of team we have, and more importantly what kind of player and All-Star he is."

Ginobili got 123 of 124 first-place votes for 615 points. Phoenix Suns guard Leandro Barbosa, last year's winner, came in second with 283 points. The Dallas Mavericks' Jason Terry was third with 44.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Phelps takes over reins at Drake

DES MOINES, Iowa - Arizona State assistant Mark Phelps was hired as Drake's coach, replacing Keno Davis. Phelps' hiring came less than a week after Davis took the Providence job. School officials said Phelps, a Virginia Beach native and Old Dominion graduate, was their top choice.

Phelps spent more than a decade as an assistant to Arizona State coach Herb Sendek, both in Tempe and during Sendek's earlier tenure at North Carolina State. Previously, Phelps was a high school coach in Virginia, compiling a .736 winning percentage over six years at two schools.

NFL

Bengals' Thurman eligible to play again

CINCINNATI - Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman has been reinstated by the NFL after being suspended for the past two seasons. The Bengals said Monday they were informed by Commissioner Roger Goodell that Thurman is eligible to play. He had been suspended because of violations of the NFL substance abuse policy.

He was cleared in January by the NFL to resume working out with the Bengals pending word on his status. A second-round draft pick from Georgia in 2005, Thurman started 15 games at middle linebacker, led the team in tackles and tied the team rookie record with five interceptions.

Colts' Keith faces charges

INDIANAPOLIS - Colts running back Kenton Keith was out of jail yesterday after being arrested for refusing to leave a nightclub parking lot and yelling at officers that he was a Colts player who had done nothing wrong, police said. Keith, 27, was charged with misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct, resisting law enforcement, public intoxication and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, because a man he brought to the club with him was 19, police said.

NHL

Vezina Trophy finalists announced

NEW YORK - New Jersey's Martin Brodeur, Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers and San Jose's Evgeni Nabokov are finalists for the Vezina Trophy, which is given to the NHL's top goaltender. Brodeur won the trophy for the third time last year. It is the eighth time he is a finalist. Lundqvist and Nabokov never have won the award. The winner will be named at the league's awards show June 12 in Toronto.

TRACK AND FIELD

Arkansas' McDonnell will step down

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Arkansas track and field coach John McDonnell, who has led the Razorbacks to 42 national titles and 83 conference crowns, will retire at the end of the outdoor season, the school announced. McDonnell, 69, has won more national championships than any other collegiate coach in any sport. His most recent national championship was in 2006 in indoor track; his team won the SEC indoor title in 2007 for his last league championship.

AROUND THE STATE