CIGAR, THE two-time Horse of the Year whose 16-race winning streak matched one of racing's greatest achievements, has died. He was 24.
A release from Kentucky Horse Park said that Cigar died Tuesday night at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital from complications following surgery for severe osteoarthritis in his neck. Cigar won 19 of 33 starts and earned nearly $10 million but was best known for his incredible run of wins that made him the first horse to tie the record set by the legendary Citation.
An allowance victory at Aqueduct in October 1994 began the Maryland-bred's famed run that included 1995 wins in the Breeders' Cup Classic, Hollywood Gold Cup and Pimlico Special. He was Horse of the Year in 1995 and 1996.
Jockey Jerry Bailey was aboard Cigar for the final 15 in the streak and said of his mount, "He was the best of his generation and certainly the best horse I ever rode."
Cigar was retired in 1999 and enshrined in the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2002.
Pro Basketball
* Washington Wizards players DeJuan Blair, Nene, Daniel Orton and Xavier Silas were each suspended for one regular-season game by the NBA for leaving the bench area during an altercation between Paul Pierce and Chicago's Joakim Noah. Noah and Pierce each were fined $15,000.
* Indiana Pacers coach Frank Vogel signed a multiyear contract extension.
Philly File
* Union goalkeeper Rais Mbolhi has been called up by Algeria to appear in group play for the 2015 African Cup of Nations. The two-time World Cup veteran will be in net for Algeria in a pair of matches against Malawi on Saturday and Wednesday. Mbolhi has a 1.00 goals-against average through four career games for the Union. He will miss Philadelphia's match against Columbus on Saturday and be available for selection on Oct. 18 against Sporting Kansas City.
Sport Stops
* A Pennsylvania high school soccer coach and two players have been suspended for at least 5 days after an autistic teammate told police the two teens duct-taped him to a goal post. Austin Babinsack, 16, told Harrison Township police he was left taped to the goal for 15 to 20 minutes Sunday evening before passers-by heard his screams and freed him. The Highlands School District, about 20 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, issued a statement saying coach Jim Turner, who was not present at the time, and two 17-year-old players identified by Babinsack have been suspended. A district spokeswoman said the coach was suspended because of an ongoing investigation.
* World all-around champion Simone Biles led the United States to the gold medal in the women's team event at the gymnastics world championships in China. The U.S. finished with a total of 179.280 points to defend the title it won at the 2011 worlds in Tokyo.