<< Mets clobber Nationals behind huge third inning
Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Daniel Murphy clubbed a two-run homer and added an RBI single, as the New York Mets -- aided by an eight-run third inning -- cruised to a 12-0 win in the second test of a three-game series against

<< Hawpe, Rox edge D'Backs
Denver, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Brad Hawpe clubbed a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning and the Colorado Rockies withstood a ninth-inning charge from the Arizona Diamondbacks to hang on for a 6-5 win in the middle install

<< Cardinals hang on to edge Marlins
Miami, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Troy Glaus collected a game-high four hits and finished with an RBI and a run scored to lead the St. Louis Cardinals over the Florida Marlins, 6-4, in the third game of a four-game set at Dolphin Stadium. Jaso

<< D-Backs reinstate Slaten from DL, option Buckner
Denver, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Arizona Diamondbacks reinstated left-handed pitcher Doug Slaten from the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday. Slaten, who was placed on the DL on July 19 with a right knee strain, is 0-3 with a 4.40 earned

Oklahoma City >>
Acquired forward Joe Smith from Cleveland and forward Desmond Mason from Milwaukee in exchange for forward Adrian Griffin and guard Luke Ridnour.

Izturis leaves after injuring thumb >>
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim shortstop Maicer Izturis left Wednesday's contest against the Seattle Mariners in the top of the ninth with an injury to his thumb. Yuniesky Betancourt hit a grounder towards

Zobrist, Rays edge A's >>
Oakland, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ben Zobrist hit the go-ahead RBI double in the seventh and the Rays took the second test of their three-game series against the Athletics, 3-2, at McAfee Coliseum. Andy Sonnanstine (12-6) threw his third

Sabathia remains unbeated with Milwaukee, tops Padres >>
San Diego, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - CC Sabathia threw seven effective innings and Corey Hart went 3-for-5 with three runs batted in to help Milwaukee tie a season high with its eighth consecutive win, a 7-1 victory over San Diego. The Bre

MySportsbook.com and Kentucky Derby Offer Bonuses
The 2008 Kentucky Derby has announced a $1-million bonus for this weekend’s 134th ‘Run for the Roses’ and MySportsbook.com is doing the same.

Well, not quite $1 million, but MySportsbook.com is offering a 75% rebate for Kentucky Derby lines. Check out the exclusive horse racing bonus for all the details.

According to MySportsbook.com, the favorites for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky are: Curlin (+250); Street Sense (+500); Scat Daddy (+700); Circular Quay (+750); and Nobiz Like Shobiz (+800).

Derby organizers announced this week that there will be a $1-million bonus at the 2007 Kentucky Derby odds if the first-place horse wins by more than 6 1/2 lengths – the margin of Barbaro's victory last year. The bonus would be divided Saturday among the winning trainer, jockey, owner and a charity, with each receiving 25 percent. The designated charity is the Barbaro Memorial Fund.

''It's certainly creative, it's certainly fun and it has something for the horsemen, which we always want to embrace,'' Churchill Downs president and chief executive Robert Evans said at a news conference. ''What's really cool is it will force us to remember Barbaro.''
    
Meanwhile, the Derby favorite – Curlin – is going against the odds this year. It's been 125 years since Apollo won after skipping his 2-year-old season, and not since Regret in 1915 has such a lightly seasoned horse worn the blanket of red roses.

Arkansas Derby winner Curlin – unbeaten in three career races – tries to overcome both those obstacles in Saturday's 133rd Derby.

''We're not running against history,'' trainer Steve Asmussen said Monday. ''We're running against who they load up.''

Six other horses have run in the Derby without benefit of 2-year-old races and with three or fewer starts. The best any of them managed was a sixth-place finish by Showing Up last year.
   
Asmussen dismissed suggestions that Curlin's lack of racing experience could keep him from the winner's circle.

”He exudes confidence and he's got a great presence about him,'' the trainer said. ''I feel great about the position we're in. He's not worried about anything, why should you be?''
   
The Kentucky Derby is at 4:04 p.m., ET Saturday.

For complete odds on the Kentucky Derby, visit MySportsbook.com. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.