6B SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY. APRIL 29. 2009
POLO
Horses overdosed on Biodyl
BY BRIAN SKOLOFF
Associated Press
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.
— Florida's top veterinarian on Tuesday blamed the deaths of 21 elite polo horses on an overdose of a common mineral that helps muscles recover from fatigue.
Florida's state veterinarian, Dr. Thomas I. Holt, said toxicology tests on the dead horses showed significantly increased selenium levels.
The horses from the Venezuelan-owned Lechuza Caracas team began collapsing April 19 as they were unloaded from trailers at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington before a championship match. Some died at the scene, others hours later.
"Signs exhibited by the horses and their rapid deaths were consistent with toxic doses of selenium."
Holt said.
The team was preparing to play in the sport's U.S. Open and was seen as a top contender.
A Florida pharmacy that mixed a brew of vitamins and minerals for the team on order from its Florida veterinarian said Tuesday that the strength of selenium was incorrect. Jennifer Beckett, chief operating officer for Franck's Pharmacy in Ocala, Fla., would not say whether the incorrect amount was specified in the veterinary order or was a pharmacy error.
"We continue to cooperate fully with the authorities as their investigations proceed," she said. "We cannot discuss further details."
Lechuzha had no comment on the toxicology report.
The polo team had hoped to get a compound similar to a namebrand supplement known as Biodyl. The supplement is used around the
world but hasn't been approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the U.S.
Biodyl is a supplement made in France by Duluth, Ga.-based animal pharmaceutical firm Merial Ltd. It wasn't clear how close Franck's mixture came to the namebrand drug. Lechuza said what they ordered was supposed to contain vitamin B, potassium, magnesium and selenium.
The injections provided by Franck's were given to the horses just hours before their deaths.
Dr. Murl Bailey, a toxicology professor at Texas A&M University's College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, said selenium is a common mineral needed in small doses by humans and animals for growth and tissue stabilization. It can also help muscles recover from fatigue.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
THE LANGSTON HUGHES VISITNG PROFESSORSHIP COMMITTEE
New York Yankees fans watch from the third-base side of the field as Andy Pettitte pitches against the Oakland Athletics. Empty seating sections have prompted the Yankees to cut ticket prices nearly in half for some sections.
& the ...
"ABYDOS REVISITED: WORLD'S OLDEST DRAMA, RELIGIOUS SEXUALITY & THE PROMISE OF A NEW BLACK DRAMA AESTHETIC!"
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In addition, many of the nonpremium seats between the bases, which cost $325 as part of season tickets and $375 individually, also went unfilled.
MSNBC's Keith Olbermann, who owns three $850 Legends Suite season tickets, was unhappy prices were cut only for those with front-row seats while others will be given additional tickets.
While most of the cheaper tickets in the second and third decks were sold for the opening six games, entire sections of cushioned blue seats with teak arm rests in the first nine rows in 25 sections went empty, areas that cost $500 and up.
But it was apparent most of the unsold seats were closest to the field.
Steinbrenner said the Yankees had sold 85 percent of their premium seats and 37,000 full-season equivalents, more than 3.4 million tickets in all.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
OFFICE OF THE PROVOST
HENRY MILLER, LANGSTON HUGHES VISITING PROFESSOR OF THEATRE & FILM
In response, the team cut the price of first-row Legends Suite seats in four sections on the outer half of the dugouts and photo cages from $2,500 to $1,250.
A lecture presented by
"If they're offering only selective refunds, depend upon it: There are going to be lawsuits," he
"There are a few hundred suite seats in our premium locations that have not been sold on a full season basis," Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner said in a statement. "As a result, and for many of our fans who have already purchased full season suite seats in such premium locations, the Yankees are announcing today a program that adjusts certain prices and benefits."
According to a count by The Associated Press, 48 seats were affected.
Among the top non-premium seats in the lower deck, the Yankees announced a buy-three-get-one-free program for new $325-a-seat season tickets in the 15 sections between the bases.
7 PM, Crafton-Preyer Theatre, Murphy Hall
Those initiatives could help pack previously unfilled areas that were an eye sore on television broadcasts during the opening homestand at the $1.5 billion ballpark.
The New York Yankees slashed prices on more than 40 percent of their front-row seats by up to 50 percent Tuesday and announced many of those who bought tickets closest to the field for $325-$2,500 would be eligible for additional free seats.
Associated Press
Reception to immediately follow
"It's the public that built Yankee Stadium, and even at these prices, the public has been excluded from the very stadium they built," Brodsky said. "It's a continuing disaster."
The price of first-row season seats in nine sections of the Delta Sky360 Suite one deck up behind home plate was cut from $750 to $550.
Yankees slash prices
In addition, seats in the first row in the final three sections down each foul line were slashed from $1,000 to $650. That affects 68 seats.
Race and Eat Pancakes, Keep Me In Preschool.
In all, the AP count had the Yankees cutting the price of 116 of 258 front-rows seats, which have been on sale for up to $2,625 for individual games. The team said the reductions will apply to this season only.
MLB
NEW YORK — Turns out a few more fans might be able to buy those empty front-row seats at Yankee Stadium.
Assemblyman Richard Brodsky of Westchester, a frequent and vocal critic of the Yankees, said the reductions weren't enough.
Those who bought $2,500 first-row season tickets in the 11 sections surrounding the plate that weren't reduced — there are 98 seats in that area — will receive an equal number of free first-row tickets for the rest of the season.
BY RONALD BLUM
To The River and Back 5K/10K Run & Pancake Feed Saturday, May 9, 2009
Timed 5K/10K: 8 am
Family Fun Mile: 9:30 am
Pancake feed: 8:30 - 11 am
benefits Lawrence Community Nursery School
Those who bought $1,250 first-row seats in the first two sections past each photo cage — 48 seats in that category — will receive free seats for 24 games.
Runners registered by April 24th will receive a free T-shirt. All participants receive a free pancake breakfast!
Fans who bought $850 Legends Suite season tickets — there are 843 seats located in that category
www.totheriverandback.com
said. "Great, more tickets nobody wants. The silver lining here is that even more charities are going to be getting even more tickets from me."
will get free seats in the same section for eight games and free seats in the $500 section for four games.
J