Monterosso takes $10-million Dubai World Cup

Monterosso won the $10-million Dubai World Cup, the world’s richest horse race, handing the ruler of Dubai an emotional victory after one of his horses was euthanized earlier Saturday.

Monterosso, who finished third last year, also gave a much-needed confidence boost to Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum’s stables, which had not won the race since 2006. All four of their horses were longshots.

Capponi grabbed the lead coming into the straight only to see Monterosso bolt past and beat his stablemate by three lengths. Planteur, ridden by Ryan Moore, was another half-length behind. Monterosso jockey Mickael Barzalona stood up in his saddle and raised his arm long before he crossed the finish line.

The favorite So You Think and last year’s runner-up Transcend grabbed the early lead out of the gate. The Bill Mott-trained filly Royal Delta joined the leaders only to fade, as did Game On Dude ridden by Chantal Sutherland, who made history as the first female jockey in the race, held in the United Arab Emirates. Transcend also dropped back, finishing last.

So You Think finished fourth, the Japanese star Smart Falcon 10th, and the third choice Game on Dude 12th in the 13-horse field.

The poor finish for Game On Dude capped a traumatic week that started with his trainer, Bob Baffert, suffering a heart attack after he arrived in Dubai. He was released only at the end of the week. His other horse, The Factor, finished sixth in the $2-million Dubai Golden Shaheen.

“Tough day but so happy to be outdoors again enjoying the sport I love,” Baffert tweeted.

Sutherland said Game On Dude struggled in the gate. She blamed the all-weather surface for his poor performance.

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Take Charge Indy is headed to the Kentucky Derby, and beat a Triple Crown favorite to get there.

Going to the front out of the gate and staying there virtually every step of the way, Take Charge Indy took advantage of a speed-favoring track and won the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach — beating heavily favored Union Rags, who managed to only finish third.

With three-time Kentucky Derby winner Calvin Borel aboard, Take Charge Indy finished the 1 1/8 mile in 1:48.79. Longshot Reveron was second, holding off Union Rags.

ETC.

Knicks’ Lin will have knee surgery

Jeremy Lin will miss the rest of the regular season because he needs knee surgery that will sideline him six weeks and could leave the Knicks without their star point guard in the playoffs — if they make it that far.

Lin had an MRI exam last week that revealed a meniscus tear. He will have surgery next week.

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Julia Mancuso overcame a first-run mistake with a blistering second trip through the mushy course at Winter Park, Colo., to capture a fourth straight giant slalom crown at the U.S. championships. It was her 15th national title, the most by a U.S. skier.

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Maria Sharapova remained winless in four finals appearances at the Sony Ericsson Open, losing in the final at Key Biscayne, Fla., to Agnieszka Radwanska, 7-5, 6-4. Sharapova lost serve in the final game of each set.

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Carolina Kostner of Italy won the world figure skating title at Nice, France, delivering a graceful performance of mesmerizing steps and spins for her first gold medal at a major event.

Patrick Chan of Canada captured the men’s title second straight year despite a flawed free skate that included a late tumble.

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Pole-sitter Kevin Harvick led all but two laps and won the spring NASCAR Truck Series race at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway for the third time in the past four years Saturday.

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Louis Oosthuizen shot his second straight six-under 66 to reach 17 under and take a two-shot lead over Hunter Mahan after the third round of the Houston Open at Humble, Texas.

Carl Pettersson (67) and Brian Davis (69) were three strokes back at 14 under. James Driscoll (71) was alone at 12 under. Defending champion Phil Mickelson (70), Keegan Bradley (69) and Ryan Palmer (66) were at 11 under.

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Thorbjorn Olesen of Denmark made four birdies and an eagle for a five-under 67 to lead the Sicilian Open at Sciacca by three strokes heading to the final round.

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Toni Young scored 25 points, Tiffany Bias added 17 points and 11 assists and Oklahoma State ended a season marked by tragedy by beating James Madison, 75-68, at Stillwater, Okla., to win the program’s first WNIT championship.

Oklahoma State lost coach Kurt Budke and assistant Miranda Serna in a Nov. 17 plane crash that also killed pilot Olin Branstetter and his wife, Paula.