By The Associated Press

Published: Monday, May 11, 2009
Updated: Monday, May 11, 2009 10:08 AM CDT

Here's a look at weekend sports in brief around the world.

BASKETBALL

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Louisville coach Rick Pitino says there is “absolutely no truth” to the rumors that he is returning to the NBA.

Pitino released a statement Saturday saying neither he nor anyone representing him has contacted the Sacramento Kings’ about their vacant coaching job.

He says the rumors are hurting the Kings and misleading players he is attempting to recruit to Louisville.

Pitino just finished his eighth season with the Cardinals, going 31-6 and winning the Big East regular-season and tournament titles. The Cardinals lost to Michigan State in the regional finals of the NCAA tournament.

Pitino has coached two NBA teams. He went 90-74 with the New York Knicks from 1987 to 1989 and 102-146 with the Boston Celtics from 1997 to 2001.

AUTO RACING

DARLINGTON, S.C. (AP) — Jeremy Mayfield was suspended indefinitely by NASCAR on Saturday for failing a random drug test, becoming the first driver to violate a toughened new policy that went into effect this season.

Mayfield tested positive for a banned substance last weekend at Richmond International Raceway. NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter would not reveal what banned substance Mayfield used, but Hunter said it was not an alcohol-related offense.

Mayfield, who is driving a car this season he owns himself, failed to qualify for Saturday night’s Sprint Cup race at Darlington Speedway.

Four-time series champion Jeff Gordon said Mayfield’s suspension shows how serious NASCAR is about its new testing policy.

GOLF

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — CBS Sports golf analyst David Feherty apologized Sunday to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for a morbid joke in support of war veterans that went bad in a Dallas magazine.

Feherty, one of the most popular golf analysts for his sharp wit and self-deprecating humor, was among five Dallas residents who wrote for “D Magazine” on former President George W. Bush moving to Dallas.

Feherty, a former Ryder Cup player who grew up in Northern Ireland, has gone to Iraq over Thanksgiving the past two years to visit with U.S. troops, and he created a foundation to help wounded soldiers.

HORSE RACING

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Filly Rachel Alexandra, after a day of jostling among owners of other Preakness hopefuls, appears likely to get the chance to run in the second jewel of the Triple Crown.

Owner Jess Jackson declared the Kentucky Oaks winner primed for the Preakness following an easy four-furlong workout on Sunday at Churchill Downs.

Rachel Alexandra covered the half-mile in 48.40 seconds under exercise rider Dominic Terry, a work trainer Steve Asmussen called “beautiful.”

It was all the evidence Jackson needed to send the 3-year-old filly, who he purchased last week for an undisclosed sum, to Pimlico for the 1 3-16th-mile race.

HOCKEY

BERN, Switzerland (AP) — The Chicago Blackhawks will play the European champion Zurich Lions in Switzerland this fall.

The NHL and International Ice Hockey Federation announced Sunday the teams will meet in the Victoria Cup in Zurich. The game is scheduled for Sept. 29 at the Hallenstadion arena.

The Blackhawks will then travel to Helsinki, Finland, to open the NHL season against the Florida Panthers on Oct. 3-4.

NHL International executive Ken Yaffe said at the news conference before the world championship final that he hopes the game between an NHL team and the best club team in Europe will become an annual event.

TENNIS

PARIS (AP) — French tennis player Richard Gasquet acknowledged he’s been told he tested positive for cocaine but says he’s innocent.

Gasquet said the “B” sample from the tournament in Key Biscayne, Fla., confirmed the result of the “A” sample taken the same day.

The Web site of sports daily L’Equipe reported Saturday that traces of the banned drug were found in the 22-year-old Gasquet’s urine sample at the Sony Ericsson Open, where he pulled out after the first round.

The French tennis federation called the report “very surprising” and said Sunday it would wait for official confirmation before taking any action against him.

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Instant replay has been approved starting next season for last-second shots in high school basketball championship games.

The rule change by the National Federation of State High School Associations allows replay for review of a shot attempt at the end of the fourth quarter or overtime, and only when the last-second shot would affect the outcome of the game.

The rule is not mandatory and leaves the decision whether to use it to each state association.

The change would let officials determine whether the ball had left the shooter’s hand before time expired or whether the shot was a 2- or 3-pointer.