BALTIMORE - Afleet Alex regained his footing and his drive after being cut off by Scrappy T in a frightening collision and breezed home to win the Preakness Stakes on Saturday.

With a quarter-mile to go, Scrappy T was in the lead when he responded to a left-handed whip from jockey Ramon Dominguez by veering sharply to his right and directly into Afleet Alex's path.

The record crowd of 115,318 at Pimlico gasped, but Afleet Alex regained his balance. In the span of few breathtaking strides, tragedy was averted and the courageous colt breezed home to a sweet victory, with Scrappy T second.

Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo finished third, ending any chance of a Triple Crown try in the Belmont Stakes in three weeks.

ISTANBUL, Turkey - Venus Williams won her first title in a year, defeating Nicole Vaidisova 6-3, 6-2 in strong wind and drizzle Saturday to win the Istanbul Cup.It was the 32nd championship - and seventh on clay - for Williams, and her first since May 2004 at Warsaw, Poland.

ATHENS, Ga. - Stanford won its second straight NCAA women's tennis title Sunday, beating Texas 4-0 to complete its second consecutive perfect season.The Cardinal (27-0) have won 56 straight matches, 20 short of the school record set from 1988-91.

CONCORD, N.C. - Mark Martin won the Nextel All-Star Challenge and its $1 million paycheck on Saturday night.Martin was in second place, lined up next to Elliott Sadler, on a restart with 19 laps left in the race. But Sadler bumped into the side of Martin on the restart and the contact knocked Sadler out of line. Martin then darted into the lead. Sadler finished second.Brian Vickers finished third.

Moniteau High School sophomore pitcher Sara Vinca was named Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference co-MVP Sunday night.Vinca helped the Warriors' softball team to a 13-4 regular season record and was also the team's top hitter. She shares the MVP honor with Redbank Valley pitcher Alyssa Shirey.Natalie DeMatteis and Jenna Beatty also made the first team for Moniteau.Kelly McMillen and Laken Burk made the third team for the Warriors.The Karns City softball team is also well represented on the KSAC all-star team.Jocelyn Bishop made the first team as an outfielder and Shannon Christie was named to the second team.Making the third team for the Gremlins, who will open the playoffs Tuesday at Cranberry, is Marissa Evankovich and Jess Spafford.