Horse racing fans eager to see filly Rachel Alexandra run in the Breeders' Cup will have to wait until next year.

Owner Jess Jackson said during a conference call yesterday he's "firm" in his decision to keep the Preakness winner from this fall's Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita.

Jackson cited concerns about the synthetic surface at Santa Anita as the main reason for skipping the event, but remains hopeful Rachel Alexandra will be able to run in the 2010 Breeders' Cup on the dirt at Churchill Downs.

Rachel Alexandra has won seven straight races heading into the $1.25 million Haskell Invitational at New Jersey's Monmouth Park on Sunday. Jackson said his filly is in top shape and ready to race against a field that will include Belmont winner Summer Bird.

Pro Basketball

 

* The Dallas Mavericks signed free-agent forward Tim Thom-as, a 12-year veteran out of Villanova.

 

Hockey

 

* Carolina has bought out the remaining year on the contract of defenseman Frantisek Kaberle.

 

Golf

 

* Phil Mickelson will return to the PGA Tour at the Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio, next week, his first tournament since he tied for second at the U.S. Open. Mickelson has been away for nearly 2 months because his wife, Amy, has breast cancer. She had surgery July 1. At about that time, Mickelson learned his mother has breast cancer for which she is being treated.

* General Motors Co. will end its half-century run as sponsor of the Buick Open as it tries to focus scarce marketing dollars on its cars and trucks, a person briefed on the decision said.

 

Sport Stops

 

* Felipe Massa's doctor said the driver is increasingly alert and answering questions in three languages, and the chief of the Ferrari team is encouraged about the possibility of the Brazilian returning to the track. The 28-year-old driver was hit in the helmet by a loose part from another car and crashed into a tire barrier at 120 mph during qualifying Saturday at the Hungarian Grand Prix. He is recuperating from surgery on multiple skull fractures, and doctors say he could be released as early as next week.

* Illinois and Northwestern are talking about moving their annual Big Ten football game to Wrigley Field. Northwestern spokesman Mike Wolf said the schools have talked several times with the Chicago Cubs.

 

* Police said they have found no evidence that WBC middleweight boxing champion Kelly Pavlik and his trainer assaulted a man in a nightclub last weekend in Pavlik's hometown of Youngstown, Ohio. No charges have been filed. Youngstown Police Chief Jimmy Hughes said the initial investigation into a report filed by 45-year-old Ronald Cappitte has turned up no corroborating evidence. Cappitte alleges he walked up to Pavlik in a bar about 11 p.m. Saturday, said, "Hi," and was punched in the groin. A police report says he fell, got up and was punched repeatedly in the body by Pavlik and trainer Jack Loew. * Tom Watson skipped a practice round at the U.S. Senior Open in Carmel, Ind., because of illness. He hopes to practice today. * Former Flyers defenseman Andy Delmore signed a 1-year contract with Detroit.

* Charlotte and New Orleans completed a trade that sends the Bobcats' Emeka Okafor to the Hornets for Tyson Chandler. The centers are both 26. Okafor averaged 13.2 points and 10.1 rebounds last season, but his style didn't mesh with that of coach Larry Brown. Chandler averaged 8.8 points and 8.7 rebounds in only 45 games last season.