Sports Redux: A Horse Is(n't) A Horse (Anymore)

In national sports news, there's a new star in heaven today. Kentucky Derby winner Barabaro lost his long battle with leg injuries and was put to sleep. We feel really sad losing an old friend - not so much the horse, but the easy go-to "I hear he's in stable condition" joke that served us so well, and now will have to be shelved until another thoroughbred is in trouble. Alas.

Not ready to go out just yet is our own Curt Schilling (as seen below) who plans on pitching at least through 2008, and would prefer to stay here. Asked if he'd sign a one-year deal with the Yankees, he said "No. I could not make that move." Bostonist wonders if a bigtime pennant race in 2008 would actually enhance Schill's chances in his potential Senate bid; strike out 16 Devil Rays on Thursday and see a 10-point jump in the polls on Friday.

The Bruins were willing participants in the Rangers' target practice, getting peppered 6-1 at the New Garden. We really have to start wondering if the new building is haunted.

Steve Bulpett in the Herald says that the Pau Gasol-to-the-Celtics rumor is deflating. As bitter C's diehards, let us just state for the record that if there's a way for the Celtics to (A) get slightly better, but (B) not get good enough to contend, while (C) trading away a guy we've heard is the future and (D) surrendering draft position in the Best Draft Of All Time, Danny Ainge is your guy to do it.

We have nothing against Gasol, per se, who's a mobile big man who could bring some sorely-needed European brio to North Station. But we were at the Grizzlies game in Boston earlier this year, when Gasol was nursing an injury, and we noticed he spent much more time eyeing the Celtics Dancers during timeouts than paying attention to the coach in the huddle. Of course, we were watching Pau Gasol and not the Dancers, so make what you will of that.

The Celtics are in Indiana tonight to play the Pacers; hopefully they can steal a win while the locals are distracted by Superbowl thoughts and dreams.

And, finally, it's that time again. A bunch of guys you've never heard of, or already know and already have baggage with, are starting to jockey for position for the most critical and under-the-microscope job in the nation. Presidential primaries? No, try Red Sox closer. Boston.com profiles the candidates.

Image of the late, great, Barbaro by Jeremy Lyverse/CDI from KentuckyDerby.com