What the puck??

NBC Sports Group boss Mark Lazarus is failing to score with his ambitious plan to overhaul NBC Sports Network.

In the first three months of the year, ratings plunged 22 percent — the biggest drop in eight years — after Lazarus announced the cable channel was jettisoning the Versus moniker and changing its name to NBC Sports Network.

According to Nielsen, NBCSN averaged 64,000 total daily viewers in the three months ended March 25, down from 82,000 viewers in the same period a year ago.

That means it would be the least-watched since the second quarter of 2004, when OLN averaged just 51,000 viewers.

In fact, Versus put up better ratings in 2004, when it was still known as the Outdoor Life Network and focused on hunting and fishing shows. Under Comcast’s ownership, the network morphed into Versus in 2006. The latest rebrand on Jan. 2, which follows Comcast’s takeover of NBCUniversal, gave it the NBC name along with the Peacock logo.

The overhaul was more than just a name and new logo, however. The goal was to catapult the network, which has been anchored by National Hockey League games, into a different league by pursuing more traditional sports programming, ranging from college football to car racing.

NBCSN has replaced 40 percent of its programming and — despite the ratings fall-off — boasts “higher quality” sports content as well as exclusive NHL coverage, a source close to the network said.

The network should benefit from the NHL playoffs in the second quarter, as well as from the Olympic Games in the summer, the source said, adding that revenue is also up. An NBCSN spokesman declined to comment.

In the meantime, the network is struggling to convert viewers who tuned in to the hunting and fishing shows that aired on Versus.

An even bigger issue appears to be the loss of Mixed Martial Arts, which was acquired by News Corp.’s Fox. (News Corp. also owns The Post.)

NBC Sports Network is the focus of much attention at Comcast’s NBCUniversal as CEO Steve Burke is making sports programming a pillar of his overhaul of the entire media outfit.

The company won the rights to the Olympic Games through 2020, after paying some $4.4 billion, and also added Major League Soccer, mostly to boost NBCSN. It is also building a new studio in Stamford, Conn., where all the NBC Sports staff will eventually be located.

Even a slick marketing campaign and cross promotion across NBCU’s sister networks has done little to lift the sports channel.

“It is very disappointing, but I wouldn’t overreact,” said Frank Vuono, partner at 16 W Marketing. “The NBC Sports audience has to find this channel and know it’s around. It’s a different viewer.”

Other ratings experts suggest NBCSN’s ratings woes were compounded by the NBA lockout in the fall, which created pent-up interest in the first quarter for basketball games on rival networks.

catkinson@nypost.com

NBC Sports, NBC Sports, NBC Sports Group boss Mark Lazarus, News Corp., NBC, NBCUniversal, Comcast, Outdoor Life Network, NBC Sports Network, NBCSN, Major League Soccer, National Hockey League games, ratings

Nypost.com

Rangers' magic number is five points to win East

The Rangers won’t want to respond to questions when they take the ice for their morning skate at the Garden before facing the Canadiens Friday night, but now hear this, ladies and gentlemen of all ages — the Blueshirts’ magic number is five points to clinch the Eastern Conference title following Thursday night’s Penguins’ 5-3 loss to the Islanders at the Coliseum.

Any combination of points equalling five which the Rangers, who own the tiebreaker, earn or the Penguins lose over the final five games, and the regular-season Cinderella story will be complete.

NHLI via Getty Images

STAAL TACTICS: The Rangers' Marc Staal battles Spencer Machacek of the Jets during the Blueshirts' 4-2 win Wednesday night.

But wearing glass skates to the ball will be no guarantee of success. That’s why coach John Tortorella will spend the final nine days of the season seeking to minimize concerns entering the playoffs.

One primary concern, that the effectiveness of Marc Staal as it relates to constructing a formidable second pair on defense, was at least somewhat alleviated in the wake of an impressive and assertive performance in Wednesday’s 4-2 victory in Winnipeg. Staal earned the Broadway Hat for that game one night after he was benched for the final 10:30 against the Wild and got just 12:28 of ice overall.

Paired primarily on Wednesday with Anton Stralman through the first two periods, then with Michael Del Zotto after Stralman was eliminated from the equation for all but one shift in the final 13:05, Staal played with a hard edge and at a tempo that have both come and gone as he has attempted to reacclimate himself after missing training camp and the first 36 games of the season with post-concussion symptoms.

Staal was engaged in physical battles throughout while also up the ice supporting the puck in the offensive zone in a welcome display of authority.

The Rangers were able to cope with Staal’s absence into January just as they have been able to cope with Michael Sauer’s absence since the solid second-pair defenseman went down for good with a concussion he sustained on Dec. 5.

But just as there is no doubt the Blueshirts will miss Sauer in the playoffs, they will miss Staal, too, if the alternate captain isn’t able to at least resemble the top-pair, 25-minute force he was before being injured in Raleigh on Feb. 22, 2011.

In order to have the best opportunity to achieve that status, Staal will require increased minutes and responsibility over the final six games even as Tortorella weighs the delicate balance between awarding time based on game evaluation or giving time based on what most enhances the Rangers’ chance to play into June.

Tortorella has said he will use the final games to experiment with the pairings behind the Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi matchup tandem, but the decision essentially can be distilled to whether it will be Staal or Stralman skating with Del Zotto on the second pair.

Tim Erixon, scratched the last two games, was returned to the AHL Whale Thursday, so if the answer in Staal, that means the right-handed shooting Stralman would have to move to his off side on a third pair with Stu Bickel.

Even so, if Staal is sound and demonstrates the rest of the way he can handle the minutes, the question of whether it’s the alternate captain or Stralman getting the second-pair assignment isn’t much of a question at all, is it?

Following Friday night, the Rangers are home to Boston on Sunday night while the Penguins are home to the Flyers on Sunday afternoon.

larry.brooks@aol.com

Marc Staal, Rangers, John Tortorella, the Penguins, Blueshirts, Blueshirts, Anton Stralman, Penguins, Michael Del Zotto, Michael Sauer

Nypost.com

Fourth-quarter GDP growth unrevised at 3%, below expectations

WASHINGTON -- US real gross domestic product (GDP) for the fourth quarter rose at a three percent annualized rate, unrevised from the earlier estimate, the Commerce Department said Thursday.

Economists surveyed by MarketWatch expected growth to be revised up to a 3.2 percent rate.

A downward revision to exports was offset by stronger business investment in software.

Consumer spending rose 2.1 percent in the fourth quarter, unrevised from prior estimates.

A key measure of inflation, the core personal consumption index, which excludes food and energy prices, increased 1.3 percent, also unrevised from prior estimates.

To read more, go to MarketWatch

MarketWatch, gross domestic product, Commerce Department, unrevised, estimate, personal consumption

Nypost.com

Monticello Results

Races 1,3,10,12,13 were canceled due to strangles outbreak at Saratoga Harness.

WEATHER Clear TRACK Fast

SECOND-mile; pace; $3400; cond

OFF: 12:54 TIME: 2:02.1

8

Life of Ease (RPetitto)

3.60

3.00

out

5

South Park Kid (R Vinci)

4.50

out

3

Song of the South (C Stratton)

out

Scr: In The Mix; Ohm Wild In Red; You Slay Me.

* Perfecta (8-5) $11.80

FOURTH-mile; pace; $2000; cond

OFF: 1:18 TIME: 1:58.4

2

MghtyRvrA(JMrohnJr)

4.40

2.20

out

7

Arts Mattjesty (J Primeau)

5.20

out

8

Paulimony (W Parker Jr)

out

Scr: Enemy At The Gate; Five Star Stud; Roo Roo Rusty.

* Perfecta (2-7) $29.40

Winner picked by Little

FIFTH-mile; pace; $2700; cond

OFF: 1:38 TIME: 1:59.1

7

PctnnsSuwst(CStrttn)

18.80

7.70

out

1

Hot Pistol (J Marohn)

4.30

out

5

Wantasmile (K DI Benedetto)

out

Scr: B Blissfull; Camcracker Dynasty; Dartagnan; Duncans Western.

* Perfecta (7-1) $61.00 * Added double 7-7 $48.20 ()

SIXTH-mile; pace; $3400; cond

OFF: 2:00 TIME: 1:58.1

5

Delco Tross (R Harp)

6.90

3.30

out

3

MillionDollarBay(MMerton)

3.20

out

4

Jezal Theory A (J Marohn Jr)

out

Scr: Behind Enemy Lines; Our Connor Mac N; Rare Display; Twin B Passion.

* Perfecta (5-3) $19.40 * Daily double (7-5) $18.00 * Pick 3 (2-7-5) $130.50

SEVENTH-mile; pace; $5100; cond

OFF: 2:18 TIME: 1:59.1

8

DougsBoy(ASchwrtz)

5.00

3.50

out

6

Michaels Jewel(WParkerJr)

2.60

out

5

Hi Hopes Cruiser (T Gale)

out

Scr: Civilized Hanover; Five Somewhere; Mr Socks.

* Perfecta (8-6) $10.80 * Pick 3 (7-5-8) $134.00 * Added daily double 5-8 $29.40 ()

WInner picked by Little

EIGHTH-mile; pace; $10000; cl($4000)

OFF: 2:39 TIME: 1:58.0

3

Art Glass (KSwitzerJr)

5.60

3.70

out

8

Bay Street (M Merton)

7.60

out

7

Gone Baby Gone (J Marohn Jr)

out

Scr: Gota Go Bullville; Ooby Dooby; Prince Aidid.

* Perfecta (3-8) $55.00 * Pick 3 (5-8-3) $56.00 * Added daily double 8-3 $16.80 ()

NINTH-mile; pace; $2700; cond

OFF: 3:01 TIME: 1:58.0

6

Imposter A (M Forte)

2.60

2.30

out

8

S F Exposed (J Marohn Jr)

8.10

out

1

Roan Shark (W Parker Jr)

out

Scr: Four Starz Pop Pop; Fox Valley Roper; Glasscutters Atom; Halsey Hanover.

* Perfecta (6-8) $25.60 * Daily double (3-6) $11.00 * Pick 3 (8-3-5) $18.80; Pick 3: 8-3-6 $18.80

ELEVENTH-mile; pace; $3400; cond

OFF: 3:24 TIME: 1:56.3

1

StarPower(WPrkerJr)

4.10

3.20

2.30

3

Tree Light (M Merton)

8.60

3.30

6

Look Sharp Jack (K DI Benedetto)

3.90

Scr: Hana Bluegrass; Savvy Hawk.

* Perfecta (1-3) $23.40 * Trifecta (1-3-6) $177.50

Winner picked by Little

ATTENDANCE N/A.

HANDLE N/A.

W Parker Jr, W Parker Jr, J Marohn ebook download, J Marohn Jr, pace

Nypost.com

Cameron Denounces U.K. Fuel Strike

LONDON—There is no justification for U.K. fuel-tanker drivers to carry out a strike which could cause a "large amount of damage", but drivers would be sensible to top up their tanks if the stoppage looks likely, Prime Minister David Cameron said Wednesday.

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British Prime Minister David Cameron.

Tanker drivers working for five of the U.K.'s seven major fuel distribution firms voted Monday for strike action over working conditions and health and safety practices, stoking fears of fuel shortages and higher prices at the pumps.

In a statement following a ministerial meeting on contingency plans chaired by Mr. Cameron, the U.K. government said: "The government has learnt lessons from the past and stands ready to act to manage the impact of any strike, in particular, to our emergency and essential services"

There was no shortage of fuel at present and forecourts were being replenished, the government added. However, it did have to prepare for the possibility of a strike and its main concern was to minimize disruption to the public, it said.

The ministers discussed a range of contingency plans and ways to strengthen fuel supply including using military drivers to secure deliveries should a strike go ahead and maximizing levels of fuel storage capacity outside depots.

Earlier, in an apparent bid to calm concerns of panic buying of fuel, Mr. Cameron said a strike wasn't imminent as unions were required to give seven days' notice of industrial action.

"So there is no need to queue to buy petrol, but of course people should take sensible precautions," Mr. Cameron said. "If there is an opportunity to top up your tank if a strike is potentially on the way, then it is a sensible thing to do if you are able to do that."

Earlier, Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude said people may also want to store some petrol in a jerry can in their garage.

The prime minister said he didn't want to raise the temperature on the dispute and urged unions and employers to negotiate.

More

U.K. Fuel Tanker Drivers Vote to Strike

U.K. Supermarkets Brace for Driver Strike

"The government's response is to very calmly, very rationally, very reasonably, approach this subject and do everything it can to encourage the two parties to talk to each other, but yes, of course, to prepare for the eventuality that there may be a strike," he said.

Unite, the union representing the tanker drivers, said it was open to discussions to resolve the dispute.

"We trust that the employers, and the supply chain, including oil majors, will engage with us and that the government will do everything in their power to help us avoid industrial action," said Diana Holland, Unite's assistant general secretary.

The drivers who voted to strike work for major distribution firms delivering fuel for retailers, including Tesco PLC, J Sainsbury PLC, BP PLC, Royal Dutch Shell PLC and Exxon Mobil Corp.'s Esso.

Arbitration body ACAS also invited oil firms and Unite to talk.

"We are establishing contact with all the parties involved in this dispute and will be looking to see whether we can enable an ACAS process to allow the possibility of some form of dialogue to start," it said in a statement.

Write to Nicholas Winning at nick.winning@dowjones.com

Prime Minister David Cameron, Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude, strike action, fuel distribution, government, government, Cameron

Europe.wsj.com

E-mails from Mark Zuckerberg's Harvard days show a young entrepreneur losing patience with client

Emails from Mark Zuckerberg's Harvard days show the dropout-turned-Facebook CEO as a young entrepreneur losing patience with a client's delayed payments.

"I contracted out my services for money, and even though I seem to continually be providing services, I don't seem to be receiving money from you guys," he wrote on Sunday, January 25, 2004, according to court documents filed on Monday by Facebook's lawyers. The deal, writes Zuckerberg, was for $18,000, plus a side project for $1,500. He was still owed $10,000. Zuckerberg founded Facebook the following month.

The client, Paul Ceglia, sued Zuckerberg in 2010, claiming that a contract he signed in 2003 entitled him to a 50 percent ownership stake in Facebook. If Facebook's upcoming initial public offering goes as expected, that could amount to as much as $50 billion. Facebook's lawyers are seeking to dismiss the suit. They say the contract is a fake.

Facebook included email exchanges between Ceglia, his associates and Zuckerberg in court documents filed in a U.S. District Court in Buffalo, New York on Monday. Facebook said the roughly 300 emails it obtained from Harvard's servers relating to the case make no mention of Facebook.

Instead, the emails center on a database company called StreetFax that never took off. The two traded messages on technical specifications of the website that Ceglia had hired Zuckerberg to work on, and payments. The emails show a range of exchanges between Zuckerberg and Ceglia, which were sometimes terse and at other times lengthy and detailed.

"I will do my best to try to raise the cash needed to pay the amount requested though I honestly cannot guarantee it," wrote Ceglia on Feb. 22, 2004 according to the filing.

A day earlier, Zuckerberg wrote that he did not think Ceglia would pay him "at any point in the near future."

In addition to losing patience with his late payments, Zuckerberg tells Ceglia's colleague in one email that StreetFax is not a very high priority for him, given that there are "many other things I'd like to, and have started to, work on."

"I am at a school surrounded by some of the smartest people in the world, cultivating ideas and constantly coming up with projects to work on," he wrote in January 2004, just days before launching "Thefacebook," as it was then called. "The last thing I need right now is someone calling me twice a day asking if I've uploaded some small changes to a site that I made eight months ago ... My time is valuable, and seems better spent on things that I know, or at least can reasonably expect, will produce some sort of gratification in the near future."

The last email, from May 2004, shows the two men may have worked out a payment plan, where Ceglia would send $500 a month until his bill was paid in full. It's not clear if the payments were actually made.

Ceglia's lawyers said that Ceglia deserves his day in court where a jury will decide the ownership dispute.

Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook, Paul Ceglia, Buffalo, New York, Ceglia, Zuckerberg, U.S. District Court

Nypost.com

Revel to roll

Revel, the $2.4 billion Atlantic City casino resort that almost didn’t get built, cleared its final major hurdle yesterday.

The New Jersey Casino Control Commission approved a casino license for the resort, which will become the city’s 12th casino when it opens April 2.

Gambling is only part of the resort; it also has a luxurious spa, 14 restaurants, 10 pools, and a theater with 5,050 seats that will host Beyoncé on Memorial Day weekend.

New Jersey Casino Control Commission, Atlantic City casino, casino license

Nypost.com

Hometown knew Jets QB Tebow was bound to be great

Jacksonville, Fla. — Tebowmania might feel like a recent craze everywhere else, but not here.

Not where it was invented.

This sprawling city on the edge of the Atlantic — at 875 square miles, it’s the largest in the contiguous United States — has been in the thrall of arguably its most famous son for almost a decade now, practically since the first time Tim Tebow threw a pass in Nease High School’s 2002 spring game.

Tebow went on to win the Heisman Trophy, two national titles at the nearby University of Florida then the imagination of the entire country during his magical ride with the Broncos last season, but that incredible run hardly surprises those in Jacksonville who knew him “back when.”

ZUMAPRESS.com

STAR IS BORN: The phenomenon known as Tebow-mania began in northeast Florida, where new Jets backup Tim Tebow sprinted to local fame (above) as the quarterback for Nease High School in Ponte Vedra Beach, and athletic director Ted Barbato fondly recalls the state title won by No. 5 and teammates (below) in 2005.

Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post

3/23/12 - 3/23/12 - Photo of Tim Tebow (left) from the 2005 Championship season at Nease High School in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

“Nothing Tim does surprises me,” former high school teammate Ryan Lewis said this week. “It’s very hard to be on the same team as him or even be around him and not buy into the whole Tim Tebow phenomenon. It’s more powerful than you know.”

So the local disappointment was palpable this week when Peyton Manning’s arrival in Denver suddenly made Tebow available, but the sport’s most popular figure and most polarizing player wound up with the Jets instead of a homegrown Jacksonville Jaguars player.

While exactly how that happened remains in dispute (Tebow claimed he wasn’t given a choice as to his trade destination; Broncos VP John Elway strongly disagrees), the fact the homecoming so many here had dreamed of and pleaded for wasn’t happening cast a pall.

Tebow was born in the Philippines to missionary parents, but he grew up in Jacksonville, still lives here, still belongs to the powerful First Baptist Church here, and always will be associated with this unlikeliest of locations for an NFL franchise even if he never plays for it.

For many in this former paper-mill town not far from the Georgia border, that’s hard to swallow.

“They’re crestfallen,” said Frank Frangie, a longtime Jacksonville radio talk-show host. “People here see him on the ‘People’s Choice Awards,’ see that he turned down ‘Dancing With the Stars,’ see that he was in People magazine.

“He’s become a national brand, and people who aren’t necessarily diehard football fans know who he is and would have started coming to the games if he was traded to the Jaguars. So from that standpoint, there’s a real disappointment on the part of a lot of people.”

It isn’t just Tebow’s heightened celebrity since leading the Broncos to the playoffs in often uncanny fashion last season that has Jacksonville so bummed he’s bound for Broadway instead of home.

Next >

1

2

Tim Tebow, Nease High School, Jacksonville Jaguars, Jacksonville, Jacksonville, University of Florida, Ponte Vedra Beach, Broncos, contiguous United States, Nothing Tim

Nypost.com

Bernanke facing big bond bubble trouble

Ben Bernanke said it, and we’ll pay the price.

Earlier this month, the Fed chief acknowledged to a Senate finance panel that the Fed governors saw inflation moving a little higher “temporarily.” This is something new for this Fed, and both the bond and stock markets didn’t hesitate to respond.

Most individual investors do not pay much attention to the yield on the 10-year Treasury. And there is good reason for that — bond pricing is complicated, with its inverse price-to-yield dynamic.

But when it comes to buying a house or a car or getting a personal loan, these instruments are all tied to the Treasury market, and the 10-year is the Dow Jones industrial average for consumer borrowing.

Bernanke and Co. have enjoyed an historic run in the bond pits. The yield on the 10-year has hovered around 2 percent for the past 18 months or so, while the Fed eased the economy out of recession.

At the end of last year, the benchmark rate was yielding 1.87 percent — dirt-cheap, if you needed a loan and could qualify.

That all changed this month as bond vigilantes awoke from their hibernation to hear Bernanke utter the dreaded “R” word. They sold off their bond holdings in droves. If inflation is running at just above 3 percent, then it does not make sense to hold bonds yielding 2 percent. It’s a losing proposition.

The government bond market has more than $15 trillion in total Treasuries outstanding, and the Fed holds almost $3 trillion, making it the largest single player.

Yet it holds only 20 percent of the market, so there’s plenty of room for the bond vigilantes and regular market players alike to push back a bit, and that’s healthy for a market. The pushback, however, can get expensive for consumers and small businesses alike.

This means higher mortgage rates, which hit a five-month high on Thursday, according to BankRate.

This is something families looking to buy a home can ill afford. Many just give up and rent.

If you’re looking to combat higher fuel prices — which are indirectly tied to the Treasury-bond market through dollar strength based on the creditworthiness of Uncle Sam’s paper — auto loans have jumped 12 percent this year.

Small-business loans, if you can qualify, will also cost more, something an economy with 8 percent unemployment and 16 percent “underemployment” doesn’t need.

While the Fed has spent the last three years and “invested” almost $3 trillion trying to keep market-based interest rates as low as possible, a slight change in language by Bernanke and a stubborn energy problem could paint the Fed chief \into a corner.

Bond yields have backed up almost 0.4 percent (40 basis points) since the Fed’s press release hit the wires. That’s almost a half-point rise in the rate many consumer and business loans are tied to.

In it was an acknowledgment of sorts that inflation is in the “short-term” air.

“The recent increase in oil and gasoline prices will push up inflation temporarily, but the Committee anticipates that subsequently inflation will run at or below the rate that it judges most consistent with its dual mandate.”

And that was the key takeaway for the bond market from the Fed’s note.
Nypost.com

Meadowlands Graded Entries

Post Time: 7:00 p.m.

Best Bet: Shaky Hanover (9th)

FIRST: mile trot; $8,500; cond

10 Modern Family

(YGingras)

1-1-X

5-2

6 Wygant Pearl

(DDube)

2-4-2

4-1

7 CelebrityObsesion

(Simpsn)

5-8-3

9-2

1 Chatangchch

(MVnderkemp)

7-2-4

15-1

2 Cathy's Princess

(PBerry)

3-8-8

8-1

3 Confederate Man

(DNoble)

3-7-6

12-1

4 Miss Lee

(MLancaster)

4-1-5

10-1

5 AllMunkyBusness

(JCmpbell)

6-7-3

12-1

8 Fortunista

(HLandy)

2-7-8

15-1

9 Ima Que T

(JMarohn)

3-3-5

6-1

SECOND: mile pace; $9,500; cond

7 Donna Party

(AMiller)

8-3-2

6-1

1 Red Hot Scarlett

(DMiller)

2-4-3

9-2

4 Noartographsplese

(RPerce)

7-8-7

8-1

2 Can't Stop Me Now

(DNoble)

1-6-7

5-1

3 Artie's Last Party

(JMorrill)

1-3-6

15-1

5 Rockin Reese

(PBerry)

6-4-4

10-1

6 Bullville Ana

(DDube)

4-X-9

20-1

8 DodgeCity'sTune

(Callahan)

9-7-4

20-1

9 Pure Diamond

(YGingras)

1-9-4

5-2

10 HeavensBettorhlf

(JCmpbell)

4-1-6

4-1

THIRD: mile trot; $10,000; claiming

1 Idle Time

(RPierce)

1-7-1

9-5

9 Kirty Dream

(DDube)

8-5-7

15-1

8 Halfpipe

(MVanderkemp)

2-5-10

7-2

2 Nowerland Firebird

(HLandy)

6-4-6

15-1

3 Xtreme Talent

(YGingras)

5-2-5

6-1

4 Cuzzin Rob

(DMiller)

4-4-5

8-1

5 Tich

(JMarohn)

7-7-8

20-1

6 Rev It Now

(AMiller)

3-3-4

9-2

7 Consulate

(JMorrill)

8-1-8

15-1

FOURTH: mile trot; $20,000; cond

3 Marcus Bi

(DDube)

7-1-2

5-2

5 Proud Moment

(BSimpson)

8-6-3

3-1

1 Ice Machine

(DMiller)

9-4-1

9-2

2 Bookem

(YGingras)

2-8-8

12-1

4 Mm's Lucky Boy

(AMiller)

2-5-3

8-1

6 Stand Guard

(RDiNozzi)

4-4-1

10-1

7 Blacktuxwhitesocks

(Perce)

2-1-4

7-2

FIFTH: mile trot; $10,500; cond

1 Shining Ember

(JMorrill)

2-1-2

3-1

8 Woody Marvel

(DDube)

1-1-6

7-2

9 Swan Image

(DMiller)

2-2-8

9-2

2 Del Cielo

(JBongiorno)

8-5-6

20-1

3 Winnin Image

(JMarshall)

7-4-8

12-1

4 Bank President

(RPierce)

5-6-3

8-1

5 Zumba Mouse

(AMiller)

8-1-8

5-1

6 Spectator K

(YGingras)

2-10-2

12-1

7 Glee

(HLandy)

9-8-3

20-1

10 Rompaway Alvin

(CCallahan)

1-7-1

15-1

SIXTH: mile pace; $46,000; Night Style

8 Just A Glimpse

(AMiller)

2-1-1

7-2

4 Gottaseeaboutagirl

(DMiller)

2-1-5

3-1

3 Tu Sei Bella

(DNoble)

3-2-7

4-1

1 Buck Stops Here

(YGingras)

4-3-2

8-1

2 You Little Rascal

(DDube)

3-5-6

15-1

5 WeekendUpdate

(JCampbell)

5-3-1

12-1

6 Cs Kentucky

(CCallahan)

6-2-2

10-1

7 Miss Behave

(JMorrill)

1-7-3

8-1

9 Crazybotddrmmer

(BSmpsn)

7-1-5

15-1

10 Cruzin Angel

(RPierce)

1-4-6

6-1

SEVENTH: mile pace; $11,000; cond

6 Lorrie Please

(DMiller)

4-7-4

3-1

2 Bell On Wheels

(HLandy)

3-6-6

8-1

1 Southwest

(JMorrill)

9-1-1

9-2

3 Elleofnxample

(LFrocione)

7-6-8

15-1

4 Cotton Candy

(AMiller)

7-6-1

10-1

5 So Feminine

(DDube)

7-1-2

15-1

7 Mystical Mj

(RPierce)

2-3-6

7-2

8 Still Electric

(CCallahan)

6-5-1

15-1

9 Nite Games

(JCampbell)

2-2-1

6-1

10 Giveittemstght

(TClevenger)

4-7-8

8-1

EIGHTH: mile trot; $14,000; cond

8 Westside Lindy

(AMiller)

8-2-4

10-1

4 Heidi Falls

(DMiller)

9-1-4

6-1

6 In Focus

(RPierce)

3-6-1

3-1

1 Soapy Sap

(DDube)

6-3-5

10-1

2 PembrokeHeatWave

(JMrrll)

5-3-3

9-2

3 In Nomine Patri

(JCampbell)

2-10-2

12-1

5 Chaplin Hall

(CCallahan)

1-5-7

8-1

7 Outlaw

(BSimpson)

2-8-1

12-1

9 Zuerest

(YGingras)

1-1-1

7-2

10 Keystone Activator

(DNoble)

8-2-2

15-1

NINTH: mile pace; $11,000; cond

6 Shaky Hanover

(DMiller)

10-1-4

3-1

2 Smoke Pan Mirrors

(JMorrill)

4-6-9

6-1

4 Say Anything

(JCampbell)

1-3-6

9-2

1 TiaMariaHanover

(CCallahn)

2-5-2

12-1

3 Sandy Absolut

(DNoble)

7-6-4

8-1

5 Shayna Baby

(RPierce)

8-8-8

7-2

7 For All We Know

(ARucker)

9-4-9

12-1

8 Native Daughter

(AMiller)

5-8-8

15-1

9 Carrie Ann

(BSimpson)

8-5-4

15-1

10 Make A Bundle N

(YGingras)

4-1-1

10-1

TENTH: mile pace; $19,000; cond

6 Don't BlameHer

(JBongiorno)

4-2-1

9-2

1 Southwind Swallow

(Pierce)

5-1-3

5-2

8 Crown Lady

(JCampbell)

2-3-1

8-1

2 Dragon Princess

(JMorrill)

4-4-10

10-1

3 High Speed Life

(YGingras)

4-7-8

12-1

4 Love You Always

(PBerry)

3-3-2

3-1

5 Love This Place

(DDube)

8-3-5

8-1

7 Reilly's Daughter

(AMiller)

5-4-2

6-1

ELEVENTH: mile trot; $8,500; cond

4 Temple Of Doom

(AMiller)

1-5-2

5-2

9 Ax Man

(JMorrill)

1-7-5

9-2

3 Foggy Lane K

(DDube)

4-3-3

7-2

1 Swag

(HLandy)

6-2-4

15-1

2 AlternatThursdays

(YGingrs)

5-5-5

6-1

5 Mystical Con

(DMiller)

6-6-3

12-1

6 Doner Dream

(CCallahan)

1-8-8

15-1

7 Apollo Blue Chip

(RPierce)

8-2-4

5-1

8 Jeanie Marie

(MLancaster)

8-4-9

15-1

10 TravelinPreacher

(Simpson)

5-8-5

20-1

TWELFTH: mile pace; $8,500; cond

9 Orphan Annie

(PBerry)

5-2-4

3-1

5 Julias Song N

(DNoble)

3-5-6

6-1

1 Elegant Girl

(JCampbell)

8-1-6

7-2

2 Rusty's Martini

(RPierce)

5-1-4

12-1

3 Upland Hanover

(DDube)

5-3-2

10-1

4 Mcflirty

(DMiller)

8-5-3

9-2

6 Linden Beauty

(JMorrill)

7-4-6

15-1

7 Summer Hope

(YGingras)

3-6-8

8-1

8 Ivana Dance

(CCallahan)

6-9-2

12-1

10 Morwyn Hanover

(AMiller)

10-4-7

10-1

AMiller, DMiller, DMiller, Hanover, mile pace, mile pace, mile pace

Nypost.com

Presence of devout star will be hell on Sanchez

Steve Serby

BOSTON — So at the end of a long day’s journey into night, the Jets had to have God’s Quarterback.

At virtually any cost.

Most ominously, at the potential ruination of Mark Sanchez.

So at the end of this long day’s journey into night, after the attendance-deprived Jaguars tried to swoop in at the 11th hour, the Jets still had a chance to drop out of the Tim Tebow Sweepstakes when the Broncos insisted they were owed $5 million in salary advanced to Tebow through 2014.

“We had a disagreement on how the advance was going to be handled,” general manager Mike Tannenbaum said.

Owner Woody Johnson has told us — with a straight face — the Jets passed on Peyton Manning. God forbid they should pass on Tim Tebow!

Not only did the Jets surrender fourth- and sixth-round draft picks for a gimmick quarterback with ungodly flaws and a seventh-round choice, they also agreed to fork over $2.5 million of the monies owed the Broncos.

Holy Heisman!

Welcome to the Ringless Bros. and Ryan and Tebow Circus.

The Jets lusting after Tebow the way they did, all but tripping over themselves to announce at 1:03 p.m. that they had “agreed in principle” to bring Tebow-mania to New York, only means that Sanchez better be the one praying.

It means the only commandment in the Sanchise’s football Bible now is Thou Shalt Not Stink. Or else.

It is further evidence the Jets don’t believe they have their Sanchise quarterback.

It means fickle Jets fans disturbed by the Sanchez’s regression last season won’t hesitate howling for Tebow the first time he throws a pick. Or booing Sanchez whenever he trots back onto the field following a Tebow Wildcat first down.

“We obviously know Tim has a magnetic following and he’s a dynamic person,” Tannenbaum said. “Mark in this market has shown resiliency and toughness.”

There could not possibly be more of an Odd Couple than Ringmaster Rex Ryan and Tebow, and it means Ringmaster Rex — and his players — will be swamped with questions about Tebow Time every time Sanchez falters.

Even if Tebow sells a few thousand PSLs, even if he gets the Jets the coveted Back Page every now and then in a town where the Super Bowl Giants reside, even if he is able to add toughness and leadership and class to a locker room sorely lacking them, was it worth bringing in a Wildcat quarterback/special teamer/jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none who will draw media crowds worthy of a rock star everywhere he walks (on water)? No.

Will quarterbacks coach Matt Cavanaugh be able to transform Tebow into a quarterback who could play the position the way it was meant to be played instead of one who throws ducks and completes 46 percent of his passes? Doubtful.

Will Tebow operating Tony Sparano’s Wildcat keep Bill Belichick up at night? Hardly.

But it undoubtedly will keep Sanchez up at night, and playing with the fragile psyche of your young franchise quarterback is risky and treacherous business.

Sanchez left a voice mail for Tebow, who returned the call, and the two of them began renewing their friendship. Getting along with Tebow, who sounded giddy talking about how he loved Ryan on “Hard Knocks” — F-bombs and all — and the passion of Jets fans, won’t be the problem.

“I’ll be very honored to call him my teammate,” Tebow said.

Sanchez has plenty enough to worry about trying to bond with Santonio Holmes, and new receiver Chaz Schilens. The mere presence of Tebow only will embolden those in his own locker room who do not support him. Tebow’s inspirational gifts, his charisma and his infectious competitive drive will endear him to the Sanchez detractors.

One problem with that: Tebow isn’t an NFL quarterback. He is a running back or safety masquerading as an NFL quarterback.

Already yesterday, the Los Angeles Times ran a poll: Tim Tebow or Mark Sanchez: Who should start for the Jets?

Tebow will impact Sanchez this way: He will be looking over his shoulder every time Tebow so much as sneezes. Yes, he needs mental toughness to play here. He also needs to know he has the support of his team.

“Mark Sanchez is, has been and will be our starting quarterback,” Tannenbaum said.

The Jets aren’t coddling Sanchez anymore, and they made a move that could cut him off at the knees. He now walks through the valley of the shadow of calamity and controversy.

steve.serby@nypost.com

the Jets, Jets, Jets, Tim Tebow, Tebow, Tim Tebow, Mark Sanchez, Tebow Wildcat, Mike Tannenbaum, Jets, Ringless Bros.

Nypost.com

Tebow trade shows Jets aren't fully committed to QB Sanchez

Steve Serby

BOSTON — So at the end of a long day’s journey into night, the Jets had to have God’s Quarterback.

At virtually any cost.

Most ominously, at the potential ruination of Mark Sanchez.

So at the end of this long day’s journey into night, after the attendance-deprived Jaguars tried to swoop in at the 11th hour, the Jets still had a chance to drop out of the Tim Tebow Sweepstakes when the Broncos insisted they were owed $5 million in salary advanced to Tebow through 2014.

JETS PLAN TO USE TEBOW IN WILDCAT, VOW NO QB CONTROVERSY

LOCAL FANS REACT TO TEBOW SIGNING

see more videos

the Jets, Tim Tebow Sweepstakes, journey into night, Jaguars

Nypost.com

NHL to look at Rangers-Devils fights

OTTAWA — The Devils coach did what the Rangers coach told him to do. Pete DeBoer shut up.

NHL VP Colin Campbell told The Post he intends to have something to say at the next GMs meeting about Monday night’s three-ring circus at Madison Square Garden. Rules against such obvious fights may be created, as there were against fights during warm-ups and at the end of games.

“We’ve moved on. I said what I had to say [Monday] night. I stand by what I said and we’re moving on to play Ottawa,” DeBoer said last night when asked about John Tortorella’s “shut up” comments yesterday.

Campbell found himself hamstrung from fining or punishing either coach for the triple bouts at the start of the Rangers’ 4-2 victory. The spectacle did not break NHL rules, but violated the spirit of what is right, Campbell said. The incident will be addressed at an upcoming GMs meeting, with Campbell leading the discussion.

There were no “out to the woodshed” phone calls from Campbell to either coach, nor had they been warned or advised that such shenanigans would be reprimanded. The reason is that no rule was violated, aside from fives for fighting and a misconduct for Bryce Salvador that could have been an ejection.

After those fights, three seconds into play, Tortorella was yelling at DeBoer for making a starting lineup of fighters, instigating the immediate unseemly behavior.

DeBoer said Tortorella had either forgotten using that same visiting tactic of starting his fighters Dec. 20 in Newark, or worse.

“In John [Tortorella]’s world, you can come into our building and start your tough guys, but we can’t do the same in here. Either he has short-term memory loss or he’s a hypocrite. It’s one or the other,” DeBoer charged Monday.

Tortorella withheld comment Monday night, but let loose yesterday.

“And really, basically, just shut up. And I need to also,” he said at Rangers practice.

DeBoer would not bite when reminded that by shutting up, he’d let Tortorella have the last word. Nor would he answer whether these teams would resume such opening fracases if they meet in the playoffs, or next season.

mark.everson@nypost.com

Colin Campbell, John Tortorella, Pete DeBoer ebook download, DeBoer, Madison Square Garden, Rangers, coach

Nypost.com

Yonkers Results

FIRST- mile; pace; clm; $8,500

TIME-28.0; 57.1; 1:26.1; 1:55.2

2

WckedNRude(SSmth)

20.20

7.50

4.30

4

Classic Ambition (D Dube)

13.00

6.60

3

Allmyrowdyfriends (G Brennan)

2.80

* Exacta (2-4) $195.50 * Triple (2-4-3) $744.00

SECOND- mile; trot; clm; $8,500

TIME-28.4; 59.1; 1:28.4; 1:58.0

5

LordBurghley(CManz)

3.60

2.30

2.10

3

Larissa (J Bartlett)

3.30

2.50

6

Sunset Gentelman (B Holland)

3.30

* Exacta (5-3) $8.20 * Triple (5-3-6) $44.40 * Daily double (2/5) $53.00Scr: S F Ciro.
Winner picked by Bill Smith

THIRD- mile; pace; $12,500; Petticoat

TIME-28.2; 58.3; 1:27.2; 1:55.1

2

LookAnneHll(GBrnnn)

3.50

2.30

2.10

1

Vy Hanover (J Stratton)

3.40

2.20

7

Southwind Trini (C Manzi)

2.20

* Exacta (2-1) $9.00 * Triple (2-1-7) $20.00 * Superfecta (2-1-7-4) $57.00

FOURTH- mile; pace; $12,500; Petticoat

TIME-29.2; 58.3; 1:27.2; 1:55.3

2

FshonMjorett(JBrtltt)

4.70

2.80

2.40

7

Dawg's Buddy (S Smith)

10.40

6.20

1

Kitty's Pro Girl (J Stratton)

4.60

* Exacta (2-7) $68.00 * Triple (2-7-1) $268.00 * Pick 3 (5/2/2) $24.60Scr: Givemybest Hanover.

FIFTH- mile; pace; $12,500; Petticoat

TIME-28.3; 59.0; 1:28.1; 1:57.1

3

MndolnHnvr(GBrnnn)

7.70

4.10

2.40

4

All These Things (P Berry)

9.70

4.20

5

Stonebridge Damsel (J Bartlett)

2.60

* Exacta (3-4) $50.00 * Triple (3-4-5) $184.00 * Superfecta (3-4-5-6) $775.00

SIXTH- mile; pace; $12,500; Petticoat

TIME-29.0; 58.1; 1:26.4; 1:55.3

4

WzzrdQuen(LStlbum)

12.00

3.30

2.10

1

Dragon's Jojo (G Brennan)

2.10

2.10

5

Cyst To Sister (C Manzi)

2.30

* Exacta (4-1) $17.00 * Triple (4-1-5) $58.00 * Pick 4 (2/2/3/4) $217.00

SEVENTH- mile; pace; $12,500; Petticoat

TIME-28.0; 57.0; 1:25.4; 1:55.2

5

Not Thinking(CManzi)

5.40

3.20

2.30

2

MedolandSntorn(GBrennn)

3.00

2.20

1

I Got Skills (D Dube)

3.90

* Exacta (5-2) $17.20 * Triple (5-2-1) $74.00 * Pick 3 (3/4/5) $202.00

EIGHTH- mile; pace; $12,500; Petticoat

TIME-29.0; 58.1; 1:26.4; 1:55.2

3

SrJllanZTm(PLchnce)

6.60

4.00

2.50

4

No Faultz (G Brennan)

9.30

3.70

1

Ruth E Lou (D Dube)

2.20

* Exacta (3-4) $63.00 * Triple (3-4-1) $196.50 * Superfecta (3-4-1-7) $841.00

NINTH- mile; pace; $14,000; cond

TIME-28.0; 57.2; 1:26.1; 1:54.3

3

Shotgun A (S Vallee)

24.00

7.10

3.70

2

Goddess's Justin (C Manzi)

4.90

2.80

5

Open Water (D Dube)

3.00

* Exacta (3-2) $85.50 * Triple (3-2-5) $397.50

TENTH- mile; pace; $14,000; cond

TIME-27.4; 57.2; 1:25.4; 1:53.4

2

Flowmaster(JBartlett)

3.90

2.80

2.10

4

Bombay Away (S Caruso)

6.00

4.70

1

La Grande Terreur (C Manzi)

4.00

* Exacta (2-4) $22.80 * Triple (2-4-1) $85.00 * Pick 3 (3/3/2,6) $78.50 * Pick 4 (5/3/3/2,6) $389.50Scr: Winordietrying.

ELEVENTH- mile; pace; clm; $11,000

TIME-27.2; 56.1; 1:25.0; 1:54.0

7

LonsomCrusr(BHllnd)

31.80

8.90

3.50

3

Fritzie Rocket (J Stratton)

2.70

2.10

1

Multiple Choice (L Stalbaum)

2.40

* Exacta (7-3) $99.00 * Triple (7-3-1) $540.00

TWELFTH- mile; pace; $14,000; cond

TIME-27.4; 55.4; 1:24.1; 1:52.4

1

MrCoole(MMcDonld)

10.60

3.90

2.40

3

Cigar Hall (E Goodell)

2.40

2.10

2

Loadedupntruckin (G Brennan)

2.20

* Exacta (1-3) $23.00 * Triple (1-3-2) $60.00 * Superfecta (1-3-2-5) $166.50 * Late double (7/1) $208.50

Total Handle-$815,701

Winner picked by Bill Smith

D Dube, D Dube, G Brennan, G Brennan, mile, pace ebook download, C Manzi, C Manzi, C Manzi, J Stratton, J Bartlett

Nypost.com

If Wilpon spends, settlement could lead to revival

PORT ST. LUCIE — One huge financial settlement later, the Mets are still projected to finish last in the NL East, but for how long?

As far as many of the team’s fans are concerned, the settlement yesterday between Mets owners Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz and the trustee for the victims in the Bernie Madoff scam represented a huge defeat: An unpopular ownership group is almost guaranteed to remain in place. But sentiment around the game also suggested Mets fans should be relieved.

Wilpon and Katz settled for $162 million, but won’t have to pay anything for at least three years. Even then, the payout could be drastically reduced as the Mets owners try to recover $178 million in losses in a separate clawback attempt.

A person with ties to the Wilpons indicated the new relative financial certainty of the situation — Wilpon and Katz could have been on the hook for as much as $386 million before the settlement — might lead to the owners opening their wallets to help improve the team.

“There was just so much uncertainty going into it,” the person said. “From that perspective, if you’re sitting there trying to improve the team, you always get your direction from ownership, right? If they are feeling good about the financial situation, which you’ve got to believe they are, you would expect to see some areas of improvement going forward.”

An executive from a rival team indicated it was a good day for the Mets and their fans.

“Instead of talking about lawsuits, [the owners] will go back to talking baseball, which is good,” the executive said. “The settlement will change the topic of conversation.”

Another baseball executive predicted the Mets’ payroll would increase next season.

“It’s tough to make any [financial] commitment when you don’t know what any costs are,” the executive said.

The Post has learned the Mets have paid back their combined $65 million in loans to Major League Baseball and Bank of America, but remain a team that lost $70 million last season alone, according to general manager Sandy Alderson.

The Mets will enter the season with a payroll of about $90 million, after spending $142 million on player salaries last year.

In recent weeks, one Met in speaking to The Post was hopeful that a relatively painless resolution to the lawsuit for Wilpon and Katz would lead to the owners sinking more money into the team this season. That could mean trying to add proven players at the end of spring training, but the true test likely wouldn’t come before the summer.

Wilpon is expected back at the spring training complex today and will have to answer such questions.

“The first order of business and the first priority will be getting down to Florida [today], getting to the spring training camp, and trying to bring the Mets back to prominence that our fans deserve and the City of New York deserves,” Wilpon said in a statement.

mpuma@nypost.com

Fred Wilpon, Wilpon, the Mets, Mets, Saul Katz, the settlement, Bernie Madoff, Katz

Nypost.com

Another bad start for Mets pitcher Pelfrey

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Mike Pelfrey can go ahead and change his initials from M.P. to P.U.

The stench created by Pelfrey this spring has been suffocating, to the point the Mets right-hander seemed to be hallucinating yesterday after allowing eight earned runs in a 9-5 exhibition loss to the Astros.

“I actually thought the ball came out of my hand the best it has all spring,” Pelfrey said, downplaying the fact he allowed 12 base runners over 2 2/3 innings and saw his spring ERA jump to 14.90. “Obviously, I walked way too many guys, and the ball was up a little bit. It came out good. I threw 80 pitches, so I was fine.”

spring training loss to the Astros." title="FINGER-LICKING BAD: Mike Pelfrey licks his fingers in a down moment during his poor outing yesterday in the Mets’ 9-5 spring training loss to the Astros." width="300" height="300" src="/rw/nypost/2012/03/19/sports/web_photos/19.1s058.puma.c--300x300.jpg" />

Reuters

FINGER-LICKING BAD: Mike Pelfrey licks his fingers in a down moment during his poor outing yesterday in the Mets’ 9-5 spring training loss to the Astros.

Manager Terry Collins tried to take a bullet for his pitcher, saying he instructed Pelfrey to concentrate on increasing velocity. Pelfrey had peaked around 87 mph during his previous two starts, and Collins wanted him to raise the heat.

“Here’s a guy who can pitch at 94 or 95 — we’ve got to build up,” Collins said. “I know he’s trying to work on some things, the sinker, and make some pitches, but it’s like a lot of things: If you’re fast and you don’t run fast, you’re not going to be fast, and I don’t want this guy to lose his fastball because he’s trying to make pitches. I wanted today to see some velocity.”

The real velocity came from Carlos Lee’s bat in the second inning. Lee crushed a flat Pelfrey sinker over the left-field fence for a three-run homer, giving the Astros a 7-3 lead. Pelfrey’s final line included eight hits, four walks and four strikeouts.

Pelfrey was a disaster last season, going 7-13 with a 4.74 ERA, but with so few viable alternatives, the Mets tendered him a contract. He is owed $5.68 million for this season, and would seem the most vulnerable to losing his job once Matt Harvey or Jeurys Familia is deemed ready.

In his first exhibition start, Pelfrey allowed four earned runs over 2 2/3 innings against Miami. He followed with four earned runs over 4 ¹/‚ƒ innings against St. Louis.

Then came yesterday’s wreckage.

“Every spring training I’ve had, I don’t know if I’ve had a good one,” Pelfrey said. “So it doesn’t necessarily concern me that much, but at the end of the day, I threw 80 pitches. I feel good.

“In [2010] I remember getting my brains beat in for five or six [exhibition] starts and then the last start I was in Tampa and allowed six innings, one run and started [the season] 9-1, so I’m not too worried about it. I feel good, and the results will come.”

Collins said the fact the Mets didn’t have most of their regular players on the field yesterday allowed him to overlook Pelfrey’s final numbers. But the manager had to dig for positives.

“He was around the plate, but he just couldn’t make a pitch with [the fastball],” Collins said.

Pelfrey said Collins’ mandate to increase velocity might have affected his rhythm.

“To build velocity you have to throw harder,” Pelfrey said. “I yanked a lot of sinkers. That might be a product of trying to throw too hard.

“It’s bad execution. Obviously, I’ve been up a lot, and the ball doesn’t sink when it’s up. I just didn’t execute a whole lot.”

mpuma@nypost.com

Mike Pelfrey, Terry Collins, spring training, Mets

Nypost.com

No one area Mets can claim as an advantage

Joel Sherman
Blog: Hardball

If you are a Mets fan, you certainly are familiar with their troubles — on and off the field.

Their defense is suspect. Their roster is thin. And did we mention that Madoff fellow? Ownership is deplored, Jose Reyes is in Miami and yet another season of an injury epidemic already is underway in Port St. Lucie.

The storyline around the Mets for a long while has been about misery — from finances to the field.

Yet after spending a week with the Mets this spring, I came away feeling their biggest problem was not their weaknesses, but their strengths. Or more aptly, their lack of them.

Anthony J. Causi

Jason Bay

Even bad teams generally have an area of the team that is viewed as a real asset to build hope, wins and possibly a future around — a good up-the-middle defense, a power-laden lineup, strong lefty pitching. Something.

But in my unofficial survey of what Mets officials see as their best qualities, they pointed to four areas that — at best — will need heaping helpings of good fortune to actually play out well enough to keep the Mets out of the NL East cellar. Here they are:

1. JOHAN SANTANA: I actually was shocked at how relatively unrestrained Mets officials were on Santana returning as an ace. The guy did miss all of last season. He did have a shoulder injury similar to Chien-Ming Wang, who missed the better parts of two seasons trying to make it back.

Even if we give Santana points for being a terrific athlete and savvy competitor, he still is wading into pretty uncharted territory. If you were an oddsmaker in Vegas, what would you make the over/under on number of 2012 starts for Santana? Ten? Fifteen? Eighteen? It certainly wouldn’t be 25-30.

Already manager Terry Collins and pitching coach Dan Warthen have plotted an early season rotation plan in which Santana would get an extra day’s rest for his first seven starts. It is cautious and smart. It also is not the design for someone you should think of as a strength of your team.

If you are a Mets fan, look at this way: If there were a 33-year-old pitcher in another camp who missed all of last season with a serious shoulder ailment, what would you think of his chances of making a full comeback this year?

You can understand why the Mets are hoping for a full revival from Santana beyond that he is the highest-paid player in team history. The Mets simply have no rotation depth after a front five of Santana, R.A. Dickey, Dillon Gee, Jonathon Niese and Mike Pelfrey. So it is not only that the Mets would lose their No. 1 starter without Santana, but that they have no good options at No. 6.

Next >

1

2

Mets, the Mets, Mets fan, JOHAN SANTANA

Nypost.com

Michigan State holds off St. Louis

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Draymond Green scored 16 points with 13 rebounds and set up Keith Appling’s late 3-pointer, giving top-seeded Michigan State a 65-61 win over Saint Louis on Sunday and sending the Spartans to the round of 16 in the West Regional of the NCAA tournament.

Michigan State will play No. 4 seed Louisville on Thursday in Phoenix.

Appling added 19 points for the Spartans (29-7), who had to scrap their way past the ninth-seeded Billikens (26-8). Saint Louis controlled the tempo but never got a complete handle on Green, Michigan State’s superb senior. He added six assists and even helped mop up sweat off the floor in the final minute.

Kwamain Mitchell scored 13 and Brian Conklin 11 for Saint Louis, back in the tournament for the first time since 2000.

Saint Louis, NCAA tournament.Michigan State, Michigan State, Draymond Green, COLUMBUS, Ohio, the Spartans

Nypost.com

Turnover-prone Jefferson leaves Garden unhappy

Boys & Girls was not the only team to beat Thomas Jefferson on Saturday under the bright lights at Madison Square Garden. Jefferson also beat itself.

“Everyone wanted to make history today, we knew what was on the table,” Jefferson coach Lawrence (Bud) Pollard said. “You’re only as good as your last game, though, and the turnovers and missed free throws came back to bite us.”

Despite being a championship caliber team, Jefferson struggled mightily in the PSAL Class AA city championship game. The Orange Wave committed a self-destructive 21 turnovers and shot a meager 54 percent from the free throw line, as Boys & Girls came away with a 71-67 victory and their third straight city title.

Denis Gostev

Thomas Jefferson's players upset after the loss to Boys & Girls.

Photos: Braziller: Fludd cements legacy with gritty effort

Normally an evenly matched contest between the two Brooklyn powerhouses, with Jefferson even defeating Boys & Girls in the borough title game, Jefferson found itself down early and was unable to completely erase the deficit.

“The game was going fast, we just couldn’t settle down and get into a rhythm,” said Jefferson guard Jaquan (Son Son) Lynch, who finished with a team high 18 points. “But next year, we’ll be back. We’ll be here again.”

“I just wish we could have played a best-of-five series against them. I would trade the Brooklyn championship for this one,” Pollard added. “But my hat goes off to them, they were just better than us today.”

Jefferson star senior and offensive spark plug Thaddeus Hall finished with a solid 17-point, five-rebound performance, but struggled from beyond the arc as well as leading the team with four turnovers. After hitting a 3-pointer with 6:40 left in the first quarter, he missed the rest of his five shots from 3-point range and was unable to fill the role of catalyst for the Jefferson offense late in the game like he has throughout the season.

“Thad was forcing some shots, but during the season, he usually made most of the shots he missed today,” Pollard said. “It’s the title game, so we rode him until the wheels fell off.”

It wasn’t just the Jefferson (25-7) offensive woes that did in its championship hopes, as its inability to cover Boys & Girls (24-6) transfer guard Rashad Andrews hurt them too. Andrews lit up the scoreboard early, even outscoring the entire Jefferson team, 14-13, at the 1:33 mark in the first quarter. He buried 3-point shot after 3-point shot, ending with a perfect 5-for-5 ratio from beyond the arc as he finished with a game-high 26 points before fouling out with 3:32 left in the fourth quarter, but not before Jefferson’s title hopes had been dashed.

“Andrews was lights out and he was the difference in the game for sure, we knew someone would have that type of game,” Pollard said. “Whoever has the best backup dancers usually steals the show, and that’s what happened today.”

Thomas Jefferson, Jefferson, Boys , Boys , PSAL Class AA city championship, Rashad Andrews ebook download, Madison Square Garden

Nypost.com

Sports Shorts

MLB: Struggling Halladay insists he is fine

Roy Halladay said he’s not injured and the two-time Cy Young Award winner criticized a report suggesting something may be wrong with him because he’s struggled in spring training.

Halladay got rocked for five runs and seven hits before getting yanked in the third inning of Philadelphia’s loss to Minnesota on Wednesday. A report surfaced quoting two unidentified scouts expressing concern that Halladay’s velocity is down and his sharpness is off.

“It couldn’t be further from the truth,’’ Halladay said yesterday.

The Royals signed shortstop Alcides Escobar to a $10.5 million, four-year extension that includes two option years.

Golf: Course record gives Harrington lead

Padraig Harrington set a course record with a career-low 10-under-par 61 to grab a three-shot lead after the first round of the Transitions Championship in Palm Harbor, Fla.

Harrington birdied his final three holes to move clear of Will Claxton, who had a seven-under 64.

World No.2 Luke Donald and Justin Rose, who won the WGC-Cadillac Championship on Sunday, both shot four-under 67s.

In Phoenix, top-ranked Yani Tseng finished with a 7-under 65 for a share of the first-round lead with Hee Young Park in the LPGA Founders Cup.

etc.: Barcelona’s Abidal needs transplant

Barcelona defender Eric Abidal will undergo a liver transplant in the coming weeks, the club said. The 32-year-old France international had a tumor removed from his liver on March 17, 2011, but returned to play and has showed few effects.

Mississippi State men’s basketball coach Rick Stansbury announced he is retiring after 14 seasons, and a 293-166 record, including 11 postseason appearances.

In Redwood City, Calif., Mohammed Haroon Ali was convicted of first-degree murder after his second trial for the 1999 killing of Tracey Biletnikoff ,daughter of former Raiders star Fred Biletnikoff.

Manchester City crashed out of the Europa League on away goals despite rallying for a 3-2 home win against Sporting Lisbon. City needed four goals to advance.

Halladay, Alcides Escobar, Hee Young Park, Yani Tseng, Mohammed Haroon Ali, Eric Abidal, Harrington, Royals, Cy Young Award, course record

Nypost.com

Kentucky will make itself at home

Here we are again: Kentucky going into the NCAA Tournament with a gorilla the size of the Empire State Building on coach John Calipari’s shoulders.

He has the most unique program in college basketball. Each year he brings in the nation’s best recruiting class, molds the freshmen into a selfless group, some glitch gets him in the Tournament and they all go to the NBA.

The Wildcats are loaded. They are the team to beat with the coach to question.

Best Player: Kentucky C Anthony Davis — The most dominant force in college hoops blocked an SEC-record 154 shots.

AP

Kentucky’s Marquis Teague

Unsung Hero: Wichita State C Garrett Stutz — Not many teams have a 7-foot senior center who averages 13.5 points on 56-percent shooting.

Best Second-round Matchup: No. 5 Wichita State vs. No. 12 VCU — The Shockers are a big, physical team that is 15th nationally in rebounding margin and prefers a halfcourt game. VCU, a Final Four team last year, leads the nation in steals (10.7) and wants a frenetic pace.

Second-round Upset: No. 7 Notre Dame could not have gotten a worse draw. The Irish are not a quick team. Look for No. 10 Xavier to beat them off the dribble.

Sleeper: No. 10 Xavier — This team was KO’d after a brawl with Cincinnati early in the season. This is their comeback.

OK Corral: Baylor knocks down 38 percent of its 3s and 74.7 percent of its free throws.

CHAMPION: Kentucky — Has six players who can and do start.

Kentucky, Wichita State, the Empire State Building, Anthony Davis, NCAA Tournament, college basketball, coach John Calipari’s

Nypost.com

Left Scores Big in Slovak Vote

Slovaks, angered by a corruption scandal and weary of government austerity measures, threw their support in weekend parliamentary elections behind a left-leaning politician who has pledged to raise taxes on companies and the wealthy.

Robert Fico's Smer-Social Democracy party won a clear legislative majority, capturing 83 of the 150 seats in the national assembly—the first time since independence in 1993 that a single party has received enough votes to govern on its own, without coalition partners.

The victory for the Slovak left is a sign of mounting frustration among Europeans who have endured years of budget cuts and have yet to see sustained economic benefits. It also shows the pressure on politicians caught between their constituents' desires and the European Union's fiscal rules.

Emerging Europe Blog

Commentary: Slovak Vote Brings End to Nationalists, Populists

At-times violent anti-austerity demonstrations forced the resignation of Romania's center-right prime minister this year. And France's Socialist presidential candidate François Hollande is leading in the polls while promising to rethink Europe's approach to austerity.

"We succeeded with what we offered as an alternative," said Mr. Fico, who struck a chord with the electorate by arguing that the previous administration had been too hard on the poor and not focused enough on job creation in a country where unemployment is around 13%.

The leader of the alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, Hannes Swoboda, said Sunday that he hoped Mr. Fico's win marked "the beginning of a new, more social Europe."

Smer-Social Democracy was also helped by corruption allegations that hurt right-leaning parties at the polls. In December, purported transcripts of wiretaps were posted anonymously online, related to bribes allegedly paid by a private-equity firm to people across the political spectrum. Those named have denied wrongdoing. The Interior Ministry is investigating.

On Sunday, Mr. Fico pledged to adhere to Slovakia's European Union-mandated deficit target of below 3% of gross domestic product for next year, in part by raising taxes on personal incomes of wealthier Slovaks and raising the corporate tax rate to 22% on the country's most profitable companies.

"We realize how important it is to have healthy public finances," Mr. Fico said Sunday. He also vowed to support the EU's efforts to protect the euro, which Slovakia adopted in 2009, and recover from the sovereign debt crisis that has plagued the Continent.

"Social issues were a big factor, especially for left-leaning voters," said Grigorij Meseznikov, president of the Institute for Public Affairs, a Slovak think-tank. "Many people have fears that they don't have enough protection" from the impacts of Europe's economic troubles.

A split over whether Slovakia, the euro zone's second-poorest member after Estonia, should participate in a bailout of more affluent Greece led to the collapse in October of Slovakia's previous government, a coalition of four right-leaning parties led by Iveta Radicova.

When Ms. Radicova couldn't muster the votes necessary to ratify an expansion of a euro-zone rescue fund, effectively stalling EU stability efforts, Mr. Fico and his Smer-Social Democracy agreed to support the measure in exchange for early elections.

Mr. Fico, who served as prime minister from 2006 to 2010, has opposed further privatization of state assets and says he is against raising the retirement age for women. Some of his policy positions echo those of the government of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban next door.

Mr. Orban's center-right administration has sought to meet EU-imposed deficit targets while minimizing the pain on the country's middle class in part by levying windfall taxes on banks and other big businesses and by diverting privately managed pension money back to state coffers.

—Leos Rousek contributed to this article.

Write to Gordon Fairclough at gordon.fairclough@wsj.com

Smer-Social Democracy party, government austerity measures, European Union, Slovakia, Europe, Europe, Smer-Social Democracy, parliamentary elections, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Fico, Hannes Swoboda

Online.wsj.com

Feds probing Auburn basketball point shaving

Auburn, Ala. — Federal authorities are investigating suspended Auburn point guard Varez Ward for alleged point shaving involving at least two games this season, Yahoo Sports reported yesterday.

The report cited anonymous sources and said the FBI began an investigation in late February centering on losses to Alabama on Feb. 7 and Arkansas on Jan. 25.

Ward and guard Chris Denson were both suspended before a Feb. 25 game against Arkansas, but Denson returned for the next game. Denson was questioned and cleared of involvement in point shaving, the report said.

“Auburn officials were made aware of a rumor regarding an allegation two weeks ago and immediately reported it to the FBI, the NCAA and the SEC,” Auburn said in a statement released yesterday. “Because of the nature of the allegation, Auburn is not in a position to make any further comment on the situation.”

The report said a player reported concerns to an assistant coach in late February.

Auburn coach Tony Barbee has said only that Ward and Denson violated team rules. Ward didn’t play in the final three games of the regular season or travel with the team to New Orleans for the Southeastern Conference tournament, where the Tigers lost last night to Mississippi, 68-54.

Yahoo Sports reported that other Auburn players were questioned about whether Ward tried to get them to participate in the alleged point shaving.

Ward, a Texas transfer, has averaged 9.0 points a game and leads the Tigers in assists.

Ward scored three points and had six turnovers in the 68-50 loss to Alabama, playing 17 minutes. Vegas Insider said Alabama was favored by five points.

Ward lasted only 19 seconds after coming off the bench in the 56-53 defeat before crumpling to the floor. Barbee later said he took a knee to the right leg he had injured early in his sophomore season with the Longhorns, when he ruptured his quadriceps tendon on a dunk during pregame warmups. Auburn still covered the 9 1/2-point spread.

In between those games, Ward had his hottest streak of the season. He scored 53 points in a three-game stretch, including 24 against Mississippi State.

Ward has not commented publicly since his suspension. His last Twitter post was on Feb. 24 when he tweeted, “Can’t win for losing smh” (shaking my head). It was the last in a series of posts that day, the first saying that his knee was “hurting bad.”

Ward sat out last season under transfer rules and has two years of eligibility remaining.

Chris Denson, Varez Ward, point shaving, Alabama, Auburn, Denson, Auburn officials, Ward, Tony Barbee, Auburn players ebook download, AUBURN, Ala. — Federal authorities, Yahoo Sports

Nypost.com

LACMA rock has mass attraction

LACMA rock" border="0" width="580" height="360" />

Participants in a block party for the boulder dance in the Long Beach neighborhood of Bixby Knolls. The massive piece of granite is being moved at a stately pace from a Riverside County quarry to LACMA. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times / March 7, 2012)

Los Angeles' newest rock star, like so many before her, sleeps by day and rolls on by night, gathering, as they say, no moss.

She stops in one town after another — in Ontario, La Palma, Lakewood and Long Beach. In each, she tantalizes and mesmerizes, conjuring a joyful circus, even a few moments of unbridled exuberance that some might regret down the road. Then, just as her star is brightest, she moves on, as if someone had given her the same advice offered by Gypsy Rose Lee's mother: Always leave them wanting more.

Organizers knew moving a two-story-tall granite boulder from a Riverside County rock quarry to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art would be a logistical trial. The rock, after all, destined as the centerpiece of a massive art installation, weighs 340 tons. It is being toted 105 miles in a steel sling by a 176-wheel transport truck that is nearly as wide as three freeway lanes, at speeds so slow that some escorts have been on foot.

What museum leaders and transportation officials could not have anticipated, however, was the carnival that would surround the rock on its 11-day journey.

It started with small groups of spectators as the rock rumbled west through the suburbs of the Inland Empire. Then the crowds kept growing. By the time it reached the Bixby Knolls section of Long Beach on Wednesday, it had become a phenomenon.

An estimated 20,000 people came to Atlantic Avenue for what became a street festival in honor of the rock. Local artists painted renderings. Onlookers said they had taken vacation days from work to be there. The party lasted five hours longer than planned; community organizers had to beg a disc jockey to stick around.

The big move has given many who rarely get to the L.A. museum a sneak preview of what LACMA hopes will become a permanent installation as iconic as its "Urban Light" lampposts on Wilshire Boulevard. Visitors will be able to walk through an underground channel below the "levitating" rock. LACMA expects the free installation to open in the late spring or summer.

"We're going to go to LACMA in the next 10, 20, 30 years and say: 'I remember when that huge rock was in Bixby Knolls, right on Atlantic Avenue,'" said Long Beach City Councilman James Johnson.

In some ways, it's hard to fathom all the hype. The rock is, after all, just a rock — a mere pebble, really, that broke from a massive sea of cooled magma that percolated beneath what is now North America 100 million years ago, give or take. The installation, "Levitated Mass," is so highly abstract that some question whether it is art at all. And the artist, Nevada resident Michael Heizer, is famously reclusive. He's not expected to arrive in California until later this month, and it's unclear if he's fully aware of the spectacle he's created.

None of that has had a shred of a dampening effect.

As the crowds built, necks craned in downtown Long Beach when workers felled two palm trees in order to squeeze through (the trees will be replaced). Fans cheered wildly when handlers navigated an underpass with inches to spare. Then, they danced — to the theme song from "Rocky," naturally. In town after town, the impromptu geological be-ins have brought musicians, stilt-walkers, artists imitating art, paparazzi on Rollerblades, raucous fans dressed as Flintstones characters and at least one marriage proposal.

In Ontario, a few days into the odyssey, Ramone Vasquez had been waiting patiently for his lumbering metaphor to roll into town.

He and his girlfriend, Maria, spent a few minutes taking it all in. "Big, huh?" he said — as much an understatement as the "Oversize Load" warnings painted on the rock's escort trucks.

Then Vasquez dropped to one knee. "Maybe that rock won't fit on your finger," he said. "But maybe this one will." She said yes.

Blair Cohn, executive director of the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Assn., said he wasn't sure anyone would show up for the event his group organized at the rock.

"I finally got it when I was there," Cohn said. "I get the spectacle of it. I get the engineering part of it — it is totally fascinating....It's really odd, and I didn't expect it, but you get kind of attached to it."

The rock will rest Friday on Figueroa Street in Los Angeles, north of Florence Avenue, and is scheduled to land at LACMA in the wee hours of Saturday morning.

LACMA officials said Southern California's reaction makes sense.

Michael Govan, LACMA's director, pointed out that carvings celebrating people moving monolithic stones date back thousands of years, and that tens of thousands of people turned out in 1880 to watch horses and masons wrestle the Cleopatra's Needle obelisk into place in New York's Central Park.

LACMA, LACMA, LACMA, Bixby Knolls, Bixby Knolls, Bixby Knolls, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Riverside County, Gypsy Rose Lee, installation, Riverside County rock quarry, Luis Sinco

Latimes.com

Aqueduct Analysis

Post Time: 12:50 p.m.

All Horses appear in post position order

1. 1 mile; $34,000; clm($16,000); 4up(f)

SURROUND SOUND set the pace and tired this distance while being claimed by Serey last out. PLEASANTFRIDAY drew the rail seeking third consecutive victory in first start off the Rice claim. HOOPSKIRT defeated cheaper as the favorite while going longer and was claimed.

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

1 Pleasantfriday(L),123

C Velasquez

1-1-5

Rice

2-1

2 Chalk Player(L),120

J Espinoza

3-5-6

Persaud

15-1

3 Beautiful Risk(L),120

L Perez

2-1-5

Grusmark

6-1

4 Social Statement(L),120

D Cohen

4-3-5

Galluscio

7-2

5 Hoopskirt(L),120

R Dominguez

1-3-2

Quick

5-2

6 Wise Choice(L),120

I Ortiz, Jr

4-6-3

Sciacca

12-1

7 Surround Sound(L),115

S Camacho, Jr

5-5-1

Serey

8-1

2. 6 fur; $50,000; mdn; 4up

JOHARDY finished third at this distance and level when making local debut for new barn. SAY MR. SANDMAN finished fourth at this distance and level in local debut and first start since October. RUSSIAN ALLY drew the rail after finishing second in his last three starts.

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

1 Russian Ally(L),122

C Velasquez

2-2-2

Rice

3-1

2 Johardy(L),122

J Davis

3-6-3

Barker

4-1

3 Say Mr. Sandman(L),122

A Garcia

4-2-x

Englehart

7-2

4 Winloc's John Lee(L),122

R Silvera

3-2-6

Gullo

15-1

5 Titus Catienus(L),122

I Ortiz, Jr

2-8-11

Levine

5-1

6 Ecstatic Cat(M),117

S Camacho, Jr

x-x-x

Serey

15-1

7 Tycoon Cat(L),122

R Curatolo

6-2-5

Rice

4-1

8 John Joe(L),115

G Rivera

7-5-8

Fennessy

20-1

3. 6 fur; $28,000; clm($15,000); 4up(f)

STRATEGIC SUE finished third at this distance and level two back with Curatolo aboard. SKIDDLES N BOB broke maiden impressively as favorite two back in last start on dirt. NUMBER ONE CHERRY adds blinkers after tiring to fourth versus cheaper in seasonal debut.

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

1 Number One Cherry(L),120

I Ortiz, Jr

4-1-3

Arriaga

4-1

2 Strategic Sue(L),120

R Curatolo

5-3-7

Morrison

5-1

3 Time Marches On(L),123

A Garcia

7-1-4

Englehart

5-2

4 Katy's Office Girl(L),120

J Pezua

5-5-7

Odintz

15-1

5 Simple Exchange(L),120

A Lezcano

4-7-3

P Kelly

10-1

6 Skiddles n' Bob(L),120

C Velasquez

10-1-4

Hough

8-5

7 Hookin the Goods(L),120

J Rodriguez

10-12-10

Hooper

30-1

4. 1 mile; $30,000; clm($16,000); 3up

INDIGENE CHARM ships up from Gulfstream and adds blinkers while dropping in class after being pulled up last out. WAR HITCH tired to third versus cheaper while going shorter and was claimed. THATS FOR SURE makes route debut after setting the pace and tiring to fourth.

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

1 a-Pegasus Papou(L),123

R Dominguez

3-2-3

Persaud

5-1

2 War Hitch(L),116

C Lopez

3-5-5

Gullo

4-1

3 Mecke Me Shoot(L),116

J Sone

7-6-6

Kettell

30-1

4 Blake Street Bully(L),116

R Curatolo

3-7-3

Giambanco

15-1

5 Terrox(L),123

J Pezua

4-6-4

Parker

30-1

6 Advanceandretreat(L),116

H Ramos

7-7-12

Clarke

30-1

1A a-Poke Slam(L),123

R Dominguez

6-x-x

Persaud

5-1

7 Champagne City(L),116

M Luzzi

4-8-9

Romans

10-1

8 That's for Sure(L),116

D Cohen

4-8-x

Englehart

10-1

9 Indigene Charm(L),123

J Alvarado

7-2-6

J Jerkens

4-5

Next >

1

2

RUSSIAN ALLY, MR. SANDMAN, SURROUND SOUND, Horse, Ecstatic Cat

Nypost.com

CHSAA Class AA girls basketball state tournament preview

All the debate will finally be settled.

By week’s end the CHSAA’s top girls basketball team will be crowned in a tournament that rivals any in the country with talent and its grueling nature.

Nationally ranked Nazareth will look for a second straight crown and a trip upstate to defend its state Federation Class AA title in Albany. Christ the King, tje winner two years ago, is hoping to get back to the mountaintop after winning its 26th Brooklyn/Queens title in 28 tries. St. Anthony’s, also nationally ranked, is trying to erase the memory of last year’s defeat to Nazareth in the semifinals and earn its first trip upstate in the highest classification.

Denis Gostev

Nazareth's Darius Faulk will try to lead her team to a second straight CHSAA Class AA state title.

Denis Gostev

Christ the King and Rayne Connell head into the tournament off winning the CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens title.

Bishop Ford coach Mike Toro felt all year he had a group talented enough to finally get the Falcons to Albany and they have proven that. A loss to CK in the diocesan final notwithstanding, Ford has been arguably the city most consistent team. A year ago, Molloy was on the road to claiming a state Federation Class A crown and this year was about accomplishing more. A deep run to a title would certainly be that.

St. John the Baptist started the season slow, but ever since getting star Anastasia Williams back the Cougars have become a force playing at the level expected by coach Ted Oberg. With St. Peter’s and St. Michael Academy closed, Moore Catholic has developed into the premier Archdiocesan program. Some success in the Class AA state tournament is the next step.

SCHEDULE

March 7

Quarterfinals @ St. Francis Prep

4 p.m. – Bishop Ford vs. Moore Catholic

5:45 p.m. – Nazareth vs. St. John the Baptist

7:30 p.m. – Archbishop Molloy vs. St. Anthony’s

March 9

Semifinals @ Archbishop Molloy

5 p.m. – Bishop Ford/Moore vs. Molloy/St. Anthony’s

7 p.m. – Christ the King vs. Nazareth/St. John the Baptist

March 10

Final @ Christ the King

7 p.m. – Semifinal winners

Archbishop Molloy Stanners

Head coach: Scott Lagas

Record: 18-9

Player to watch: Amani Tatum

Outlook: The Stanners may not be the sexy pick in this tournament, but there is no reason why they can’t make a run. Molloy does own two wins over CK, beat Ford and only fell to Nazareth by 10 in their last meeting. There may not be a tougher competitor than point guard Amani Tatu, who can get to the basket at will. Forward Carolyn Gallagher can score in bunches and will try to rebound from a tough outing against Ford. Nyasha Irizarry and Kamille Ejerta can both light things up from the outside. Patti Drogler adds a toughness inside.

Bishop Ford Falcons

Head coach: Mike Toro

Record: 22-5

Next >

1

2

Nazareth, Nazareth, CHSAA Class AA state, Darius Faulk, Christ the King, Archbishop Molloy, Anastasia Williams, St. Michael Academy, Bishop Ford, CHSAA, Ted Oberg, Amani Tatu

Nypost.com

Ex-Citigroup banker convicted in Indonesia fraud case

JAKARTA, Indonesia -- The private banker at the center of an embezzlement scandal involving Citigroup in Indonesia was convicted of fraud Wednesday in a case that dealt a blow to the US bank's expansion in Southeast Asia's largest economy.

A Jakarta court convicted Inong Malinda Dee, 50, of stealing $4.4 million from clients and sentenced her to eight years in prison. She was also ordered to pay a fine of $1.1 million.

"The defendant was found guilty of receiving money through 117 illegal transactions," according to South Jakarta District Court Judge Gusrizal, who like many Indonesians goes by one name. Prosecutors sought 13 years for Dee, who denied the charges.

Dee was a relationship manager for the Citigold wealth-management unit when she was arrested in March last year and charged with stealing from clients after persuading them to give her signed blank checks. Prosecutors said she used the money for property, plastic surgery and expensive cars, including two Ferraris, a Hummer, a Mercedes and a Porsche.

The Indonesian central bank and police launched probes into Citi's operations after it alerted regulators to suspicious transactions conducted by Dee.

In a statement, Citi, the largest foreign bank by assets in Indonesia, said it welcomed the court's decision and that customers have been compensated for their losses.

"We have also further strengthened our internal controls to protect customers against fraudulent activities. Indonesia is an important market for Citi globally, and our focus remains on delivering the best service and products to our retail and institutional clients," the statement said Wednesday.

Before the scandal, which prompted restrictions on Citi in Indonesia, the US bank had more than 4,000 employees and 20 branches, with estimated revenue of $300 million.

The crackdown on Citi illustrated the risks of expansion into emerging markets, where there may be less control over far-flung branches, analysts said. More than half of revenues and profits at Citi's core banking operations come from outside the US.

When the fraud came to light, the Indonesian central bank banned 23 banks from acquiring new customers for their wealth-management services. It lifted that ban in June. It also barred Citi from issuing new credit cards for two years in the country, and from opening new branches for one year.

To read more, go to The Wall Street Journal

Inong Malinda Dee, Indonesia, Citi, South Jakarta District Court Judge Gusrizal, Indonesian central bank, US bank, embezzlement scandal

Nypost.com

Hansen makes his move

It took about one minute and 43 seconds — the time it took Hansen to trounce 12 outclassed opponents by three lengths in Saturday’s 1 1/16-mile Gotham Stakes at the Big A — for the 2-year-old champ to reverse the widespread opinion he was not a leading contender for the May 5 Kentucky Derby.

In fact, Hansen’s performance in the Gotham was one of the most impressive efforts by a 2-year-old champion and/or Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner in a Derby prep race since the Breeders’ Cup was inaugurated in 1984.

True, he was not facing an accomplished field. But unlike Uncle Mo, who beat a mere four foes in last year’s Timely Writer, Hansen was up against a dozen of them. With blinkers off, he also showed a new, important dimension. After being floated five wide around the clubhouse turn, Hansen relaxed off the pace for the first time, then responded when asked by Ramon Dominguez to complete a dominant performance.

Hansen’s early speed now becomes an asset rather than a liability; and as a son of Tapit, from the line of A.P. Indy and Seattle Slew, there’s reason to believe he might stay 1 ¼ miles.

But can he overcome the dreaded Breeders’ Cup Jinx?

The first BC Juvenile winner, Chief’s Crown, ran three strong races in the run-up to the Derby, winning the Swale by 3 ¼ lengths, the Flamingo by a length and the Blue Grass by 5 ½. Favored at 6-5, he ran third in the Run for the Roses, one of only three BC Juvenile winners ever to hit the board in the Derby along with Timber Country, third in 1995, and Street Sense, the winner in 2007.

Since Chief’s Crown, there have been two sensational Derby preps turned in by a 2-year-old champ and/or BC Juvenile winner: Easy Goer’s Gotham in 1989 and Unbridled’s Song’s Florida Derby in 1996.

In the Gotham, then run at a flat mile over Aqueduct’s main track, Easy Goer (who lost the BC Juvenile but was still named 2-year-old champ) exploded to win by 13 lengths in 1:32 2/5, just a tick off Dr. Fager’s world record.

In the Florida Derby, Unbridled’s Song (who won the BC Juvenile but lost the championship to Maria’s Mon) won by 5 ¾ lengths in 1:47 4/5, crushing a field that included eventual Belmont Stakes winner Editor’s Note, eventual Preakness winner Louis Quatorze, and eventual three-time champion and Horse of the Year Skip Away.

Both Easy Goer and Unbridled’s Song then scored easy victories in the Wood Memorial, and headed for Kentucky touted as potential Triple Crown winners.

But Easy Goer caught a sloppy track and Sunday Silence in the Derby, while Unbridled’s Song, after suffering an infected quarter-crack, raced with two egg-bar shoes on his front feet. They finished second and fifth, respectively, joining a long list of great horses — Native Dancer, Nashua, Bold Ruler, Damascus, Holy Bull, to name just a few — who failed to bring home the roses.

ed.fountaine@nypost.com

Florida Derby, Easy Goer, Hansen, Juvenile, Derby

Nypost.com

Overweight Pineda isn't lock for Yankees rotation

TAMPA — What we know of Michael Pineda in the brief time he has been with the Yankees can’t be viewed as encouraging.

The 23-year-old right-hander arrived last month and immediately admitted he was 10 pounds heavier than the 270 he carried at the end of last year with the Mariners.

That speaks to poor nutritional habits or a lack of exercise, each alarming for his age.

While the extra pounds are packed onto his 6-foot-7 frame, Pineda’s power arm lacked a much-needed third pitch. So he has tried to add a changeup to his mid-90s fastball and biting slider.

New York Post: Charles Wenzelberg

LICKING GOOD? Pitcher Michael Pineda, who cost the Yankees slugger Jesus Montero in a trade with the Mariners, came to spring training overweight and needs to improve his changeup as well as drop pounds to secure a spot in the rotation.

Pineda also came with the dreaded tag of “potential,” which either turns into superior talent or makes heads shake with disappointment.

Today, the Yankees will get their first real look at Pineda, whose cost was stud catching/designated hitter prospect Jesus Montero.

None of the questions about Pineda will be answered when he faces the Phillies in Clearwater, Fla., because he will go two innings or 35 pitches.

“Last year, nobody knew him,’’ said veteran righty Freddy Garcia, who dresses next to Pineda in the George M. Steinbrenner Field clubhouse. “This year, he has to prove how good he is. He has been relaxed so far, and confident. You have to be confident and show people you can play. He asks a lot of questions. He is excited, hopefully he shows what he has got.’’

According to Garcia, who also has pitched in Seattle and The Bronx, Pineda was a bit overwhelmed by how the media reacts to every breath from the Yankees.

“The difference between Seattle and New York is the media,” Garcia said. “The first time he came here it was ‘Wow.’ In Seattle spring training there were two or three guys and sometimes they didn’t ask questions.’’

Pineda, who was 9-10 with a 3.74 ERA in 28 starts last year, but was 1-4 with a 5.12 ERA in 10 games after the All-Star break, might be a little confused by the front office.

General manager Brian Cashman opened camp by saying it was unfair for people to view Pineda as a No. 2 starter because his third pitch, that changeup, was below average.

Manager Joe Girardi followed that by handing newly acquired righty Hiroki Kuroda a rotation spot and leaving Pineda in a group of four arms vying for three slots behind ace CC Sabathia and Kuroda.

Last week, co-owner Hal Steinbrenner said it was up to Pineda and minor leaguers Manuel Banuelos and Dellin Betances to develop into dependable pitchers so the Yankees won’t have to spend on free agent arms.

So, Pineda isn’t a No. 2 starter. Nor is he a lock for the rotation. Yet, he is viewed as a money-saving option so the Yankees can have a $189 million payroll in 2014.

For now, Girardi wants to see him face big league hitters.

“It’s always good to look at a guy with a power arm who is on your side,’’ Girardi said. “I am anxious to see him throw some changeups.’’

Regardless that the Mariners received Montero and the potential muscle he can provide, there were questions as to why Seattle would part with a 23-year-old power pitcher with one year of experience who was five years from arbitration.

Isn’t it true that nobody knows a player like the organization he is with? What, if anything, did the Mariners not like about Pineda? Were they afraid of his body? Or was their need for a catcher so great they were willing to pay any price other than Felix Hernandez?

Ten pounds heavier. One pitch short. That’s what we know so far about Pineda.

Today, he can display the power arm, biting slider and evolving changeup and begin to offset too much weight and not enough pitches.

george.king@nypost.com

Michael Pineda, Jesus Montero, Mariners, Mariners, Pineda, the Yankees, Joe Girardi, Freddy Garcia

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