PHILADELPHIA — Weakened by emphysema, Roy Chapman was ready to end his career as a thoroughbred owner when a little chestnut colt named Smarty Jones galloped out of nowhere and gave him a ride to remember.

Chapman, who owned the 2004 Derby and Preakness winner, died Friday after a long battle with the respiratory disease. He was 79.

"Smarty Jones was some of the best medicine he had," said his wife, Pat Chapman. She said her husband died at their home in the Philadelphia suburb of Doylestown.

Smarty Jones, who was based at Philadelphia Park, captivated the nation with his hard-luck story and compelling bid to sweep the Triple Crown. After winning the first two legs, Smarty fell a length short in the Belmont Stakes of being the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978.

A deer breeder awaiting sentencing in the theft of a massive buck from another breeder has been charged with operating an illegal deer farm and hunting operation.The Pennsylvania Game Commission filed 2,318 wildlife-related and criminal counts against Jeffrey Dean Spence, of Reynoldsville, Jefferson County, about 75 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.The charges filed Tuesday in District Judge Richard Beck's office in Brookville include selling or bartering white-tailed deer or portions of the animals, theft by deception, use of a computer for such sales, and related counts.The commission also accused Spence of breeding at an unpermitted facility, the White Oak Deer Farm and Hunting Preserve.

LOS ANGELES — Rory Sabbatini shot a 5-under 66 Friday for a four-shot lead at 10 under at the rain-soaked Nissan Open.Tiger Woods missed an 8-foot par putt on his final hole for a 3-over 74 that put him below the cut line and left him desperate for help from the four dozen players trying to finish the second round in shivering conditions.Thomas Levet (68) and Craig Barlow (69) were tied for second at 6 under.

HOUSTON — Charles Barkley and Dominique Wilkins were among the finalists for the Basketball Hall of Fame.Other finalists included Connecticut women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma, Detroit Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars and ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale.To earn enshrinement, a finalist must receive at least 18 votes from the 24-member Honors Committee. The Class of 2006 will be announced April 3 at the NCAA men's basketball Final Four in Indianapolis.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Matt Kenseth started last, avoided two major crashes and held off Martin Truex Jr. on the final lap Friday to win the season-opening IROC series race at Daytona International Speedway.Kenseth, the 2004 IROC champion, had to nudge Martin Truex Jr. out of the way on the final lap, then urge Frank Kimmel to push him to victory.Hornish finished second, just ahead of Kimmel.Kimmel played a prominent role in an ugly crash that sent Steve Kinser's car flipping in the air with three laps to go.Kimmel ran into the back of Kinser in Turns 3 and 4, pushing him into the back of Max Papis. Kimmel tapped Kinser again, causing him to flip over Tony Stewart's hood.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Mark Martin won the season-opening Craftsman Truck series race at Daytona International Speedway Friday, picking up his fourth victory at the famed track in 111 races.Toyota teammates Todd Bodine and Ted Musgrave finished second and third.

STILLWATER, Okla. — Oklahoma State basketball coach Eddie Sutton was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol Friday after tests showed his blood alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit following a car crash last week.In the accident last Friday, Sutton's sports utility vehicle swerved across four lanes of traffic, slammed into the back of another car, then crashed into a tree.