Alpha rolls to victory in Withers

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02/04/2012 - Ozone Park, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Odds-on favorite Alpha cruised to victory on Saturday in the $200,000 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct. The race, which was not run last year, is a prep event for Aqueduct's $1 million Wood Memorial on April 7.

Sent off as the 3-10 favorite in the six-horse field, Alpha was never far off the pace that was being set by How Do I Win. With Ramon Dominguez riding, the favorite drew even with the leader on the final turn and took command at the top of the stretch.

Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, Alpha went on to post a 3 1/4-length victory over 44-1 longshot Speightscity. Coming from last to finish third was 6-1 third pick Tiger Walk followed by How Do I Win, King Kid and Hakama. Swag Daddy was a scratch.

The favorite covered the 1 1/16-miles in 1:44.23 on a fast track.

"He was great in the gate," said McLaughlin. "We've been schooling him a lot. It worked out today. Obviously it's nice to be outside, but at some point he's going to have to be inside, so we'll see how our schooling is working.

"I think he improved some (from the Count Fleet) because of how wide he was both trips, and he was better in the gate. He gets a better grade for this race - if it was a 'B' last time, he gets an 'A' this time."

Owned by Godolphin Racing, Alpha adds $120,000 to his earnings. In five career starts the colt has three wins for $300,000.

He was the 4-5 favorite when winning last month's Count Fleet Stakes at Aqueduct. The colt, whose sire Bernardini won the Withers in 2006, was second to Union Rags in the Champagne Stakes last October, but only 11th in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

"The plans will be to talk to Simon Crisford from Godolphin to see which way to go," said McLaughlin. "He's here in New York right now, but he could relocate, or he could run back in the Gotham in a month. We'll just have to talk about it. At least we got $120,000 in graded earnings going forward to the first Saturday in May. That's important."

Alpha returned $2.70, $2.50 and $2.10. Speightscity paid $16.20 and $5.40, and Tiger Walk paid $2.90 to show.

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Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
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In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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