Sports Shorts

golf: Davis, Oosthuizen share Houston lead

Brian Davis shot a 65 in his second round yesterday and shared the lead at 11-under-par with Louis Oosthuizen at the rain-delayed Houston Open. Phil Mickelson is two back at 9-under-par. The second round was suspended because of darkness with 70 players still on the course.

John Daly had five birdies and an eagle for a 5-under 67, finishing two shots off the leaders at the Sicilian Open. He trailed six players, including first-round leader Peter Lawrie, who shot a 72.

In Rancho Mirage, Calif., top-ranked Yani Tseng shot her second straight 68 at the Kraft Nabisco Championship, taking a one-stroke lead over Haeji Kang after the second round.

hoops: Huskies out of ’13 Big East tourney

Big East presidents have agreed on a policy that would bar Connecticut’s men’s basketball team from next season’s conference tournament because the Huskies haven’t qualified academically for the 2013 NCAA Tournament. A spokesman confirmed Big East presidents agreed in principal to the policy March 7 in New York.

Five former UConn women’s basketball players — Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Swin Cash, Maya Moore and Tina Charles — have been named to the U.S. Olympic team. UConn’s Geno Auriemma is the coach.

Tray Woodall scored 17 points and Pitt beat visiting Washington State 71-65 to win the CBI title.

In Gainesville, Fla., Florida guard Erving Walker has been charged with stealing a $3 taco and running from police.

Walker, a senior who ranks first in school history in assists, was arrested and given a notice to appear in court early yesterday. He was charged with petty theft and resisting an officer without violence, both misdemeanors. He was not taken to jail.

nfl: Leaf arrested on multiple charges

Authorities said former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf , whom the Chargers picked after the Colts selected Peyton Manning with the first pick in 1998, has been arrested in his hometown of Great Falls, Mont. on burglary and drug possession charges.

Louis Oosthuizen, Kraft Nabisco Championship, Yani Tseng, Peter Lawrie, Tina Charles, Diana Taurasi, Big East, Houston Open, Geno Auriemma, Huskies, Florida guard Erving Walker, Haeji Kang

Nypost.com

Surprise! More aches sap Nets

Very early in training camp, Nets coach Avery Johnson talked about points of emphasis and cramming lessons into a short period. Though no one knew how it would play out, there was one saving point: There were enough players back from 2010-11 that terminology and plays could be learned rather easily. Then, Johnson offered a wishful thought.

“If this had been a movie that we’ve seen before, there would be some concrete evidence on how the movie was played out. We just don’t know,” Johnson said. “Hopefully, guys will stay healthy.”

He might as well have said, “Hopefully, everybody will hit the Mega Millions jackpot.”

The Nets headed for the West Coast Thursday and a four-game trip with still more disruptive injury news.

Shelden Williams, the 6-foot-9 power forward/center who is the only Net to have played in every game, will miss the entire trip, at least, with a right eye injury suffered in Wednesday’s 100-84 victory over Indiana. Jordan Williams, the 6-10 rookie, is listed as doubtful, day-to-day for tonight’s trip-starter against the Warriors in Oakland. He suffered a mild concussion Wednesday, when the Nets finished with eight players.

“It’s just stuff that happens. Guys go down some times. You gotta keep playing,” Deron Williams said after the Nets completed the improbable victory over the Pacers.

So with two big guys out, the Nets today will bring back Dennis Horner, the 6-9 forward who began the season on their roster, but has spent much of his time in the D-League. Horner is the fourth player to warrant a 10-day contract, following Jerry Smith, Gerald Green and Andre Emmett. Green became the surprise of the year and was signed through the remainder of the season. Horner played 16 minutes in five games earlier with the Nets.

Horner is expected to sign his 10-day deal and be ready to face the Warriors Friday night, giving the Nets nine available bodies. The Nets were eying a guard because of injuries to Jordan Farmar (groin, also will not play on trip) and Anthony Morrow (bruised shoulder, probable but listed day-to-day). But when two bigs were hurt, they opted for size.

Johnson’s long ago hope for health was dashed almost immediately. Brook Lopez broke his foot in the second and last preseason game (even before Lopez, the since-amnestied Travis Outlaw came to camp with a broken hand).

Lopez remains out with what the team is calling a right foot issue. He sprained his ankle in his fifth game back after missed the first 32 games with the busted foot. He set the tone and the injuries have not stopped.

A review of all players (there have been 20 different Nets) shows the team has lost 187 manpower games to injury, illness and personal reasons. Four players suffered season-ending ailments or conditions: Damion James (foot surgery) and three who have since departed, Keith Bogans (ankle, torn deltoid ligament), Shawne Williams (foot surgery) and Mehmet Okur (back).

The Nets have used 20 different starting lineups (Friday night will be the 21st) and have had 15 different players start. They have started three different point guards, five shooting guards, four centers, two power forwards and six small forwards.

fred.kerber@nypost.com

Avery Johnson, The Nets, The Nets, Dennis Horner, Deron Williams, Nets, Jordan Williams, the Warriors

Nypost.com

Grand Central nabs tell-all by ex-Goldman exec Smith

It pays to write a tell-all tale from the belly of the beast.

Greg Smith, the former Goldman Sachs executive who became an instant sensation when he ripped the Wall Street investment bank with a resignation letter published as an Op-Ed piece in the New York Times, has scored a $1.5 million advance to write a memoir of his experiences, The Post has learned.

The Grand Central imprint of the Hachette Book Group secured the worldwide rights deal after a frenzied bidding war that riveted the publishing world this week.

It had surpassed the seven figure mark by mid-week, and yesterday, the Penguin Group, the next-to-last publisher in the hunt, dropped out.

Smith is being represented by Paul Fedorko, at N.S. Bienstock, an agency better known for representing on-air news talent and reality-TV stars — although it has been expanding its literary footprint as well.

Neither Fedorko nor Hachette executives had returned calls by presstime.

Smith, in the resignation letter, said he left because of the “toxic and destructive” environment plaguing the global financial titan.

He said many top executives insult their own clients by calling them “muppets,” British slang for fools, and that under Chairman and CEO Lloyd Blankfein many at the firm put profit ahead of clients.

Goldman denied Smith’s claims.

Goldman Sachs, Hachette Book Group, Wall Street investment bank, resignation letter, Paul Fedorko, Penguin Group, New York Times

Nypost.com

POST GAMES TO WATCH: Baseball, 2012 season

The Post’s baseball beat writers Marc Raimondi and Zach Braziller take a look at some of the 2012 season’s most intriguing matchups.

43rd Annual Monroe Tournament Showcase (April 7-12, TBA)

The prestigious, pool-play tournament will be extra loaded this fall as not only will it include host Monroe, last year’s champion Grand Street Campus, Staten Island dynamo Tottenville and Queens contenders Cardozo and Bryant, but Catholic school powerhouse Iona Prep is also expected to be part of the five-day showcase as well.

Fordham Prep @ Iona Prep (April 17, 4 p.m.)

Iona Prep could very well throw UConn-bound ace Matt D’Ariano in this game and having him matching up with Virginia Tech-bound shortstop and slugger Andrew Velazquez would be worth the price of admission alone. The CHSAA Bronx/Westchester title won’t be decided this early, but the winner gets a jump start.

Cardozo vs. William Bryant @ Elmjack Complex (April 20, 4 p.m.)

Queens bragging rights and playoff seeding implications will be on the line when these two emerging PSAL powers meet. The two will likely be at the top of their respective divisions. While Cardozo won the head-to-head matchup last year, Bryant went further in the city playoffs, all the way to the quarterfinals.

Poly Prep @ George Washington (April 21, 4 p.m.)

Major League scouts will flock to this showdown which will feature the city’s top prospect this year (George Washington catcher Nelson Rodriguez) against its best next year (Poly Prep ace Andrew Zapata). Poly Prep won last year behind Zapata in Bay Ridge, but the scene shifts to Washington Heights this spring. The Trojans will be out for revenge.

Lehman @ James Monroe (April 23, 4 p.m.)

While both teams may be somewhat down, relying on youth and inexperience, the yearly matchup is always a must-see. The two coaches tend to get the most out of their players – it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them both leading their respective divisions despite graduating a horde of top players.

Fieldston @ Horace Mann (April 25, 4:15 p.m.)

Barring something unforeseen, the neighboring rivals will likely be battling for the second spot in the Ivy Prep League and the winner here should get a leg up on the other. Between Horace Mann’s Harrison Bader and Jesse Roth and Fieldston’s Kevin Fich and Will Savage, the field will be full of high-level Division I talent as Bader has committed to Pittsburgh, Roth to Virginia and Fich and Savage are drawing tons of interest.

Archbishop Molloy @ Xaverian (May 8, 4 p.m.)

Xaverian has been the team to beat in CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens ‘AA,’ but Molloy has a chance to take the division crown this year. The Stanners will get their chance at Shore Road in this late-season blockbuster that could pit ace Jonathan Ramon against Clippers No. 1 Blaise Scerbo.

Xavier @ All Hallows (May 11, 4 p.m.)

The 2011 season ended last year for Xavier when All Hallows closer Stephen Alemais caught James McCool looking for strike three in a CHSAA championship tournament elimination game. Alemais is back for All Hallows, while St. John’s-bound ace Nick DiLeo could get the ball in this one for Xavier.

Grand Street Campus @ James Madison (May 14, 4 p.m.)

The Brooklyn A East division title can very well come down to the two end-of-the-year meetings between these powers. Grand Street swept the season series last year and returns an impressive core, but Madison is much improved and has one of the deepest pitching staffs in the city.

Monsignor Farrell @ Moore Catholic (May 15, 4 p.m.)

The Staten Island division title could be on the line in this massive game – and taking home that crown means everything to Moore Catholic. The Mavs were stunned in a three-game qualifying series for the CHSAA playoffs last year and they can immediately reach the final eight with a division championship.

zbraziller@nypost.com

mraimondi@nypost.com

Iona Prep, George Washington, Poly Prep, William Bryant, CHSAA, CHSAA, Annual Monroe Tournament Showcase, Monroe, James Monroe, Horace Mann, All Hallows, tournament, Andrew Zapata, Ivy Prep League, Marc Raimondi, The Post’s baseball, Grand Street

Nypost.com

Odds to win Final Four

Here are the current odds to win the 2012 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship, which ends April 2:

Kentucky 6-5

Ohio State 2-1

Kansas 5-2

Louisville 6-1
Nypost.com

Europe Urged to Boost Firewalls

BRUSSELS—The European Union and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development on Tuesday urged euro-zone leaders to forge ahead with a decisive boost to the economic bloc's firewalls to prevent runs against solvent sovereigns.

Speaking at a news conference, European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs Olli Rehn said the size of the firewall must be "convincing," while OECD Secretary General Angel Gurria urged leaders to increase the lending capacity of the bloc's bailout fund to as high as €1 trillion ($1.34 billion).

More

Germany Won't Back Full Plan for Bailout Lift

The Euro Crisis: Merkel's Plan at Home and Abroad

"The mother of all firewalls should be in place," said Mr. Gurria, which would send a message of support to stressed euro-zone peers so investors "won't even attempt" to speculate on sovereign markets. This could ensure the fund need never be used.

Finance ministers will gather in Copenhagen on Friday to debate the options available for reinforcing their bailout funds, after months of resistance from Germany. But on Monday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel withdrew opposition to increasing the bloc's total lending capacity, amid efforts to stem another surge in market anxiety for struggling economies such as Spain. A sizable increase to the firewall is a key precondition to unlocking additional support from outside the European Union through the International Monetary Fund.

Reinforcing "the global financial safety net" remains important to the European Union, said Mr. Rehn on the sidelines of the news conference for a new OECD report on the bloc's economy. However, finance ministers are only expected to raise the lending capacity of the European Stability Mechanism to a modest €700 billion when they meet Friday.

The EU's executive, the European Commission, had warned in a paper outlining the options available to boost the firewall that the proposal to increase the ceiling to €700 billion may not be sufficient to convince G-20 partners that the euro zone is doing all it can to stem the crisis, and would therefore jeopardize any noneuro-zone contribution to the firewall.

Market pressure to boost EU firewalls has been more muted in previous weeks, but Mr. Gurria cautioned it shouldn't take much comfort in these quiet periods, adding the risk spread for government debt remains at unsustainable levels.

In its report, the OECD recommended the ESM include provisions for private-sector involvement to encourage market discipline. It also warned that some euro-area countries may not have the means to tackle a crisis of their large domestic banking systems, adding the bloc must proceed with banking sector recapitalizations that draw, if necessary, on public funds.

The EU should also consider a more integrated system of bank supervision and resolution, according to the OECD, where bank failures would fall as much as possible on the private sector's shoulders through the use of bail-in instruments. To ensure that bank holdings are properly diversified, it said, the EU should overhaul its treatment of sovereign bonds from the current risk-free rating.

"This would further help to decouple governments from their national banking systems," said the OECD. The EU is expected to propose bank resolution legislation this year.

The OECD's outlook for economic growth in the euro area is "unusually uncertain," with large downside risks from a lack of effective policy action, which could lead to a severe recession. For instance, fiscal consolidation and potential bank deleveraging may restrict economic activity before any benefits are seen from healthier public finances. As demand keeps weakening, unemployment is likely to rise further.

If the crisis intensifies, the European Central Bank may need to widen its set of nonstandard measures to support the monetary transmission mechanism and maintain price stability. The bank could also commit to maintaining low interest rates for a long period, said the OECD report.

Countries with fiscal space—such as Finland, Germany and the Netherlands—should ease austerity temporarily, the OECD added. However, countries under financial assistance programs and those facing close market scrutiny should stick to targets. It also suggested establishing independent fiscal councils in all euro-area countries.

Structural reforms will be important in the wake of the crisis. Across the EU, leaders should work toward strengthening the internal market by breaking down national barriers, recognizing professional qualifications across all 27 member states and reforming pension systems and housing policies so workers can be more mobile within the region.

If effective policy action isn't taken, high-risk-spreads and self-fulfilling-expectations could lead to unsustainable debt dynamics that threaten a global spillover from the crisis, according to the OECD.

Write to Riva Froymovich at riva.froymovich@dowjones.com

OECD, European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs Olli Rehn, the European Union, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, BRUSSELS—The European Union, firewalls, firewall, European Stability Mechanism, economic bloc, European Commission

Online.wsj.com

App’s an Office when you’re out

TECH CORNER

Microsoft has yet to unveil an iPad app containing mobile versions of all of the handy programs you use on your PC, but there’s still a way to access and work on Microsoft Office files on the go.

Quickoffice Pro HD is an app that lets you view, create and edit Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files on your iPad. You can access files through e-mail attachments, cloud-storage services like Dropbox and MobileMe or locally stored folders.

Within these files, you can edit the text, including the size and style of the font; adjust the formats of paragraphs and cells in spreadsheets; and rearrange sentences, spreadsheet columns and presentation slides, just as you would on your main computer.

Quickoffice even includes support for an external keyboard and predictive text. In addition, the app’s multi-edit toolbox allows you to make quick changes from a central menu. The app also lets you drag and drop files to move, copy, e-mail or delete them.

Within Word documents, you can see thumbnails of all of the pages in each document and jump to any one of them. The spreadsheet editor also contains features that make it easy to do calculations.

In the PowerPoint presentation editor, you can insert text boxes, shapes, images and other objects, and change the order in which they’re arranged. You can also view the presentation on an external monitor. Quickoffice even has a built-in virtual laser pointer to guide your presentation.

The app’s similarity to Microsoft Office should make users accustomed to those programs comfortable with Quickoffice as well.

But you shouldn’t get too comfortable: Some people have found that the app frequently crashes when you try to open complex files.

So perhaps Quickoffice is best suited for quick edits to simple files on the go. Save the heavy editing for when you’re back at your desk.

The app is available for $19.99, and Quickoffice also makes other mobile apps for the iPhone and Android-based phones.

hlewis@nypost.com

Microsoft Office, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Word, Quickoffice, PowerPoint presentation, Pro HD, presentation, handy programs, mobile versions

Nypost.com

Meadowlands Graded Entries

Post Time: 7:00 p.m.

Best Bet: Did It Again (12th)

FIRST: mile pace; $11,825; cond

2 Cowboy Max

(JCampbell)

5-1-X

5-2

4 Attack Modes Billy

(DMiller)

3-1-5

7-2

9 Blues AtMidnight

(JMeittinis)

2-4-10

9-2

1 Jin Dandy

(BSimpson)

6-5-4

10-1

3 Only In American

(DDube)

3-8-1

20-1

5 Waywatcher

(TTetrick)

10-2-5

8-1

6 APlaceInHistory

(Bongiorno)

6-7-2

20-1

7 Rock Three Times

(DNoble)

7-3-4

12-1

8 Real Articulate

(AMiller)

5-7-8

20-1

10 Millenium Wheel

(RPierce)

2-5-X

5-1

SECOND: mile pace; $7,500; cond

3 BewareOfDarkness

(RPierce)

7-6-7

7-2

10 Cullens Blue Jean

(AMiller)

4-6-2

8-1

5 Iron Byron

(SAllard)

6-6-8

3-1

1 BeautyAndABeast

(MRoman)

6-7-3

5-1

2 Murphy Delivers

(JCampbell)

4-2-7

20-1

4 Shane Hall

(BSimpson)

8-10-6

10-1

6 Nutmegs Taxi

(DDube)

7-6-6

15-1

7 Sign Of TheMoment

(DMiller)

7-6-8

15-1

8 Kiss My Cam

(DNoble)

8-1-5

9-2

9 Three Ten

(TTetrick)

7-7-9

12-1

THIRD: mile pace; $11,825; cond

1 Astor

(JCampbell)

1-5-9

9-2

9 Rockndream

(RPierce)

3-1-4

6-1

10 King's Legend

(AMiller)

1-7-1

5-2

2 Redford Blue Chip

(DDube)

1-5-2

12-1

3 Wrubellious

(TTetrick)

6-8-5

15-1

4 W H Skooter

(HLandy)

5-7-8

20-1

5 D Mac

(DMiller)

8-2-6

12-1

6 Stonebridge Bonus

(SAllard)

5-6-5

12-1

7 Handsome Henry K

(FMilby)

2-4-2

8-1

8 Oh My Joepa

(BSimpson)

3-4-2

7-2

FOURTH: mile pace; $7,500; cond

8 Touch Of Steel

(DNoble)

5-4-6

9-2

4 Logan M

(BSimpson)

6-2-8

12-1

3 Hurrikane Scotty J

(RPierce)

5-1-7

3-1

1 Trophy Hunter

(CPage)

3-7-6

5-1

2 Leave It To Sam

(HLandy)

7-7-8

20-1

5 Rader Detector

(DDube)

4-7-7

8-1

6 Montecito N

(JBongiorno)

3-2-6

4-1

7 Success Rocks

(TTetrick)

7-3-7

12-1

9 General Mcardle

(DMiller)

6-10-4

15-1

10 Equinox Seelster

(RDiNozzi)

3-X-2

15-1

FIFTH: mile pace; $14,000; cond

1 Grams Legacy

(RPierce)

2-3-1

5-2

5 Regil Tiger

(TTetrick)

2-2-3

9-2

9 I Wanna Go Fast

(CPage)

7-4-6

3-1

2 He's Gorgeous

(AMiller)

8-3-3

8-1

3 Morality

(DDube)

5-1-4

12-1

4 Sonic Dancer

(JCampbell)

10-5-3

12-1

6 Touch The Rock

(BSimpson)

8-6-6

15-1

7 Buckeye In Charge

(DMiller)

6-6-7

20-1

8 A J Corbelli

(SAllard)

9-9-1

6-1

10 Touch And Go

(JSheehan)

5-4-3

15-1

SIXTH: mile pace; $20,000; cond

5 Heart Of Rocknroll

(AMiller)

1-7-2

3-1

3 Tuneariffic

(SAllard)

6-1-1

7-2

2 Pan Grad

(RPierce)

2-2-8

12-1

1 Gaelic Thunder

(BSimpson)

1-1-7

4-1

4 Artist's View

(DMiller)

5-3-1

8-1

6 TownslightHnver

(JCmpbell)

7-6-4

15-1

7 Picture Me

(DNoble)

6-5-7

15-1

8 Mickey Hanover

(DDube)

1-3-2

6-1

9 Flowmaster

(TTetrick)

1-2-1

8-1

SEVENTH: mile pace; $14,000; cond

8 Breakin The Law

(DMiller)

2-1-1

2-1

1 Relentless G

(JCampbell)

3-3-2

8-1

9 E Street Plan

(RPierce)

1-1-7

4-1

2 Alex Bullville

(DDube)

7-3-3

6-1

3 Bettors Glass

(TTetrick)

5-1-7

10-1

4 Upfrontoutthedoor

(SAllard)

8-2-4

15-1

5 Painted Black

(PBerry)

3-1-7

15-1

6 Sea Me Now

(DNoble)

4-5-6

12-1

7 Ideal Smile

(BSimpson)

4-10-4

20-1

10 Social Network

(AMiller)

1-10-2

9-2

EIGHTH: mile pace; $18,750; claiming

8 Rockin Glass

(DMiller)

1-1-1

2-1

3 Cambassador

(DDube)

2-7-2

6-1

6 Cobalt Man

(AMiller)

4-9-6

7-2

1 Goddess'sJustin

(EAbbatiell)

2-1-2

15-1

2 Excel Nine

(TTetrick)

3-3-1

12-1

4 Alfredsson

(SAllard)

1-3-1

8-1

5 Master Stroke

(RPierce)

6-1-2

6-1

7 Star Of TheGame

(BSimpson)

6-1-2

20-1

9 Best Magic

(JCampbell)

3-6-9

9-2

NINTH: mile pace; $10,625; cond

4 Noble Falcon

(TTetrick)

2-7-8

5-2

1 Blue Claw

(AMiller)

5-10-9

6-1

9 Pedro Island

(JCampbell)

4-4-6

9-2

2 Tireman

(RPierce)

3-5-5

12-1

3 Keystone Raptor

(DDube)

1-8-4

12-1

5 Thomas J

(PBerry)

3-6-2

15-1

6 Lets GetitStarted

(Simpson)

4-9-8

20-1

7 Gd Airliner

(SAllard)

8-8-10

8-1

8 Mccedes

(DMiller)

6-4-3

7-2

10 Finance The Master

(DNoble)

5-10-1

20-1

TENTH: mile pace; $20,000; cond

6 Fred And Ginger

(DMiller)

1-X-2

2-1

10 Hickory Horace

(TTetrick)

5-1-2

4-1

1 Big Bam Ray

(SAllard)

1-1-1

3-1

2 Southern Sport

(CPage)

4-8-10

20-1

3 Deep Finesse

(DNoble)

8-2-4

20-1

4 Bettor Design

(JCampbell)

4-9-9

20-1

5 Rescue Plan

(RPierce)

3-3-2

10-1

7 Art For Arts Sake

(BSimpson)

2-3-1

8-1

8 Kiss My Art

(DDube)

6-7-2

15-1

9 Drop Red

(AMiller)

2-2-5

6-1

ELEVENTH: mile pace; $13,125; claiming

6 Colonel Moffitt

(DMiller)

3-2-1

2-1

7 Legacy N Diamonds

(DNoble)

2-1-4

7-2

10 Nf Independence

(AMiller)

4-1-8

9-2

1 The Admiral

(BSimpson)

3-2-7

6-1

2 Elusive Reward

(TTetrick)

5-6-7

15-1

3 In Kenny's Honor

(RPierce)

4-5-5

10-1

4 Berry Berry Fast

(JCampbell)

3-4-3

8-1

5 Stormin Rustler

(DDube)

6-2-7

15-1

8 Most Happy Keene

(SAllard)

2-4-5

12-1

9 TylersRendevous

(Abbatiell)

6-1-4

20-1

TWELFTH: mile pace; $10,625; claiming

1 Did It Again

(SAllard)

3-1-1

5-2

7 Laguna Beach

(RPierce)

1-10-3

3-1

8 Irish Elitist

(BSimpson)

5-9-2

6-1

2 Allamerican Major

(AMiller)

3-2-4

9-2

3 Da Vision Of Art

(JCampbell)

8-3-4

12-1

4 Boiler Bob The Qb

(TTetrick)

8-1-2

15-1

5 Lies Lies Lies

(DDube)

4-6-8

8-1

6 Must Be The Bunny

(DMiller)

8-6-8

20-1

9 MisterBarnettN

(EAbbatiello)

5-8-3

20-1

10 Hagi

(DNoble)

5-3-6

15-1

THIRTEENTH: mi;e pace; $10,625; cond

4 Triple Major

(SAllard)

8-8-4

9-2

2 Ideal Champ

(DMiller)

6-5-1

3-1

6 Bettors Curse

(BSimpson)

2-8-5

15-1

1 Joans Bad Boy

(PBerry)

10-5-8

20-1

3 Gritty Millie Boy

(DDube)

2-4-3

8-1

5 Blue Boy

(DNoble)

6-2-1

12-1

7 Gotta Love Him

(RPierce)

10-6-7

20-1

8 BestnotlieHanover

(TTetrick)

5-2-3

6-1

9 Takemewithyou

(JCampbell)

2-5-5

7-2

10 Brandon's Colt

(AMiller)

1-6-6

12-1

mile pace, SAllard online, SAllard, SAllard, Jin Dandy, DMiller, AMiller, AMiller

Nypost.com

Rangers took playoff clinching in stride

Not only didn’t the Rangers celebrate qualifying for the playoffs following their three-ring, 4-2 victory over the Devils at Madison Square Garden on Monday that signaled their earliest clinching since 1991-92, the Blueshirts barely acknowledged the achievement even to one another.

“I don’t really remember anyone bringing it up,” Ryan Callahan said before scoring the winner at 2:42 of overtime in Wednesday night’s 2-1 home victory over the Red Wings. “We knew we were in, but I guess with the way we’ve played this year, being in first place for the last while, we look at it as just the first step, though at the same time it’s nothing anyone takes for granted.”

Callahan has been a Ranger since late in 2006-07. Monday’s clinching in Game 72 represents the first time in his Broadway tenure that the Rangers haven’t gone to at least Game 80 in order to clinch a spot. The Rangers qualified in Game 75 in 2005-06, the first season after the lockout.

Two years ago, the Rangers were eliminated on the final day with their shootout defeat in Philadelphia. Last year, the Rangers qualified watching Carolina lose to Tampa Bay on television hours after their own victory over the Devils.

“It’s definitely a better scenario than we’re used to going through,” Callahan said. “Making the playoffs was our first goal going into the year, but your goals change as a season progresses, and as well as we’ve played, our goals have become winning the conference and the division.

“We also want to become a team like Detroit, where making the playoffs is treated as no big deal and as just the first step to something much bigger.”

The Red Wings and Sharks are the only two teams in the NHL that qualified for the playoffs in each of the six seasons following the lockout. Though Detroit is just a few points away from clinching its 21st straight postseason berth, the league’s longest such current streak, San Jose is on the bubble.

The Rangers, Devils, Flyers, Penguins, Canucks, Predators, Ducks Canadiens each qualified five of the first six post-lockout seasons. New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Vancouver and Nashville are on the verge of joining the Rangers as six-time party-goers.

“There’s no way I’m going to say with the way the league is that you expect to be in,” coach John Tortorella said. “That’s the goal, and I’m happy we’re in, but I don’t want that to be focus because we have a lot to do.

“I’m thrilled with the way the team has played, overachieved and answered questions that we didn’t even know we’d have, but the most important thing for us is to just go about our business and continue to improve and refine our game as we get to the playoffs.”

***

Dan Girardi was selected by the New York chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association as the Rangers’ nominee for the Masterton Trophy, The trophy, named for former North Star Bill Masterton, is awarded to the player who “best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication” to hockey.

“It obviously means a lot,” said the 27-year-old Girardi, who was signed by the Rangers as a free agent after going undrafted and has emerged as a first-pair defenseman who this season was named to play in the All Star Game. “I looked up the award after I learned I was nominated for it and I feel like I fit the profile.

“I feel it’s a good description of how I project myself as a hockey player and a person.”

***

Marc Staal earned the Broadway Hat for a stalwart performance in 22:07 including a sliding play that denied a centering pass defending against a two-on-one with six minutes remaining in regulation.

Michael Del Zotto, who had the primary assist on Callahan’s winner after taking a relay from Brandon Dubinsky, has assisted on four of the Rangers’ eight OT goals.

The Tim Erixon-Stu Bickel pair had 13 shifts including two early in the third period, the last ending with 13:35 to go in regulation, the Rangers cutting down to four defensemen thereafter.

John Mitchell had one shift in the third period while Mike Rupp had two and Brandon Prust had three.

***

The Rangers ended a five-game (0-4-1) and 9¹/-year losing streak against Red Wings, the victory their first in the series since Oct. 25, 2003 when Mike Dunham beat Dominik Hasek at the Garden.

Rangers conclude a seven-game homestand on which they have gone 4-2 Friday night against Sabres before a three-game road trip to Toronto, Minnesota and Winnipeg that begins against the Maple Leafs on Saturday.

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CHSAA Bronx/Westchester 'AA' baseball preview

It was a brutal way to end a season. Rallying in the seventh inning of an elimination game against Archbishop Molloy, Cardinal Spellman runner Bobby Biolsi and batter Joey Biolsi – brothers – were called out because of an illegal slide by Bobby, according to umpires. The Pilots would have had two runners on with one out down 2-0.

Lou Brescia isn’t worrying about that loss sticking with his players. Spellman won’t have a short memory this year – it’ll have no memory. These Pilots are almost a completely new group.

“We were still losing the game, but you never know what can happen,” Brescia said. “They don’t really bring it up. It’s only a couple kids left.”

Denis Gostev

Spellman's Danny Hernandez will return at shortstop for the Pilots.

Spellman is heavy with juniors, some of whom came up from the successful junior varsity. There is just six seniors on the roster. But the youth and inexperience aren’t a bad thing.

“I think we got a better team than last year, but those kids played their hearts out,” Brescia said.

The Pilots will be relying on veteran players such as right fielder Dominick Longo, shortstop Danny Hernandez and second baseman Joey Colon. Brescia really likes what he has seen from sophomore catcher/pitcher Nick Padilla, the only 10th grader on the roster.

“He’s gonna be a kid to watch,” the coach said. “Down the road, by senior year, this kid is gonna be a really good player.”

Left fielder Kyle Benjamin, pitcher Will Hodges and third baseman Tommy Montelli will all be key players. Chris Sholkoff has emerged as a potential ace, but Spellman won’t have any dominant pitchers, just a handful of solid arms.

“Hopefully, the sticks can come around a little bit,” Brescia said. “If we hit a little bit, we’ll be very competitive.”

He thinks Spellman has a shot to contend in a loaded division with title contenders Iona Prep and Fordham Prep. And with all the juniors and a good JV, the Pilots might be in the midst of one of their best stretches in a long time.

“I think we’ll be even stronger next year,” Brescia said.

That could also be the case for Archbishop Stepinac, which has 17 underclassmen on the roster. Coach Pat Duffy will be looking to ace Christian Huertas and junior shortstop Skylar Mercado, the team’s No. 3 hitter with a ton of pop in his bat.

“The big story with us is that we’re going young,” Duffy said. “We’re gonna try to be as competitive as we can with our pitching and defense.”

Brandon Soto will be at third base, left-handed Frankie Guiliano will pitch and play first and Chris Rooney will bat leadoff and provide exceptional defense in center field. Julian Ponce will play a little first and also be the No. 2 guy in the rotation behind Huertas, while Joe Costanz will be in left.

Stepinac is trying to win on its brand new field, which just opened in the fall. Duffy is excited.

“It’s kind of the talk of the league,” he said. “It’s beautiful. It’s state of the art. … I think it’s gonna help us get more athletes. It should do wonders for recruiting.”

Mount St. Michael will look to a pair of Riveras to get the job done on the mound. Luis Rivera is the team’s defacto ace and Mark Anthony Rivera (no relation) is coming off a fine fall season.

“Both of them are very much alike,” Mountaineers coach Wally Stampfel said. “They’re gonna have to throw strikes.”

On offense, Mount will be intriguing, led by Jakeel Daniels, a 6-foot-4, 230-pound highly touted college prospect. The senior will see time in the outfield and at first base.

“He’s gonna anchor the lineup,” Stampfel said. “He’s very imposing. I think he can be one of the most feared hitters in the league.”

Setting the table for him will be second baseman Taylor De La Rosa and left fielder Michael Rodriguez. Jonathan Cardona, the younger brother of former Mount stud Tommy Cardona, will pitch and play first, Aaron Sosa will be at third and pitch and Geramy Rosario, a middle-of-the-order power guy, should see time at a number of infield positions.

Najae Brown, an All-City football senior quarterback for Mount, has returned to the team for the first time since his freshman season. He’ll start in center and be a demon on the bases.

“He shocked the hell out of me when he showed up at tryouts,” Stampfel said. “He’s an awesome defensive center fielder.”

Salesian will also contend in Bronx/Westchester.

mraimondi@nypost.com

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U.K. to Decide Fate of Top Income-Tax Rate

LONDON—U.K. Treasury chief George Osborne plans in his budget Wednesday to unveil measures aimed at helping small businesses and lower-income families, but the most politically sensitive issue will likely be whether he scraps the 50% income-tax rate for top earners.

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As he battles to keep the U.K.'s deficit-reduction program on track, Mr. Osborne, chancellor of the exchequer, must perform a tricky balancing act: stimulate much-needed growth without increasing the burden on the Treasury purse.

Every British taxpayer is to receive a personal statement detailing exactly how their taxes are being spent as part of the government's drive to make the tax system easier to understand and more transparent. Dow Jones's Ainsley Thomson discusses. Photo: Reuters

He must also find a compromise between the goal of the government's Liberal Democrat junior coalition partner, which wants a tax break for lower-income families, and the wishes of his own Conservative Party for a business-friendly budget and a potential cut to the top income-tax rate.

In an unusually public tussle, the Lib Dems have pushed for an acceleration of the coalition agreement to raise the threshold at which people start paying income tax to £10,000 ($15,893).

Nick Clegg, Lib Dem leader and the deputy prime minister, has suggested this could be funded by raising taxes on high earners such as via a "tycoon tax," which would require wealthy Britons to pay a minimum proportion of their total income as tax.

Meanwhile, the chancellor has been considering whether to lower the current top income-tax rate—50% on earnings above £150,000—which is unpopular among wealthier people.

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The government on Wednesday will publish results of a review Mr. Osborne ordered into whether it was raising significant revenue. U.K. media report that the rate could be lowered to 45% to appeal to entrepreneurs and other wealthy individuals.

Such a move would be a political gamble for Mr. Osborne's Conservative Party, which has worked hard to change the perception that it is the party of the elite, and would likely trigger accusations of pandering to the rich if he didn't introduce a corresponding tax on wealth.

Recent polls show that lowering the rate would be unpopular with the majority of Britons.

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Prime Minister David Cameron, left, at Monday's budget meeting with Danny Alexander, chief secretary to the Treasury.

Mr. Osborne in a television interview on Sunday said the bulk of the budget's measures will be aimed at helping low- and middle-income earners, but declined to comment on the top tax rate.

However, he said in the British Broadcasting Corp. interview that the budget would include measures to clamp down on wealthy people who avoid paying property taxes and build on recent efforts to ensure they don't exploit tax loopholes generally.

Another key area of focus for Mr. Osborne is small business. To that end, the chancellor in Wednesday's budget is expected to introduce measures such as tax breaks for producers of high-end television shows such as "Downton Abbey" and tax-relief guarantees for the oil industry aimed at reassuring smaller independent firms buying North Sea fields from the major oil firms.

The government has announced plans to address the lack of credit available for small businesses and plans to provide more details of the £20 billion credit-easing program on Tuesday.The consensus view of economists is that the U.K.'s borrowing requirement for the financial year, which ends on April 5, will be about £7 billion less than the £127 billion the OBR forecast in November.

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Follow the latest news and analysis as U.K. Treasury chief George Osborne unveils his budget Wednesday.

The chancellor is under pressure from business lobby groups, think tanks and lawmakers—including from within his own party—to introduce measures to boost the country's slower-than-expected growth. But Mr. Osborne, who has made cutting the U.K.'s heavy debt load its top priority, has limited room to maneuver.

Two credit-ratings firms have recently warned that the U.K. may lose its prized triple-A rating if it strays from its deficit-reduction plan.

Meanwhile, the government is currently only just on target to meet the fiscal goals it set itself: eliminating the structural deficit over a five-year rolling period and reducing the ratio of net debt to gross domestic product by 2015-16.

Mr. Osborne has publicly said he intends to stick to the deficit-reduction plan and has ruled out any extra borrowing to fund tax giveaways.

In November, Mr. Osborne said economic growth would be weaker and borrowing considerably higher than he had hoped.

Economists expect him to say on Wednesday that the U.K. has borrowed less in the current fiscal year than expected. However, the lower figures expected this week are pretty much in line with estimates made by the Office for Budget Responsibility, which provides independent forecasts to the government, before November's target change.

While Mr. Osborne is likely to emphasize that he has reduced the U.K.'s borrowing by around £23 billion across the two years, the lower figures expected on Wednesday are actually in line with the OBR's estimates in March 2011.

Write to Cassell Bryan-Low at cassell.bryan-low@wsj.com and Ainsley Thomson at ainsley.thomson@dowjones.com

A version of this article appeared Mar. 20, 2012, on page A10 in some U.S. editions of The Wall Street Journal, with the headline: U.K. Is Set to Decide Fate Of Top Income-Tax RateNumbers CrunchThe Conservative-led coalition seeks a budget compromise with its junior partner.

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Dubinsky scores key goal for Rangers vs. Devils

The Rangers had far more than survived Brandon Dubinsky’s disappointing season, they had thrived despite the winger’s paltry total of seven goals going into last night — after he had scored 20 two seasons ago and 24 last season.

But now slumping and without top-six winger Artem Anisimov, sidelined indefinitely with a left shoulder injury (but not a separation) he sustained last Thursday against the Penguins, the Rangers need production from Dubinsky.

No. 17 responded last night with both a goal and an assist in the Rangers’ 4-2 victory over the Devils at Madison Square Garden, opening the scoring by beating Martin Brodeur on a wrist shot 1:11 into the match.

“I have felt a responsibility to produce from day one, but it hasn’t worked out,” said Dubinsky, who had scored one goal in his previous 19 matches after opening the season by scoring one in the first 31 games. “I’m my own biggest critic.

“I’m just trying to clean the slate the rest of the way and help contribute the way I need to for our team to have success.”

* While Anisimov avoided what could have been a season-ending injury on the check from Pittsburgh’s Joe Vitale, he is not expected to return immediately.

“It’s a tough injury. It’s an injury that needs a full recovery,” Anisimov said yesterday. If I [play too soon] and a person hits me in the shoulder, it could [get] much more serious.”

* Last night’s victory enabled Rangers to become the first Eastern Conference team to clinch a playoff spot. With 10 games to go, it marked the earliest they had cemented a postseason spot since 1991-92, when the Presidents’ Trophy winners did so at Game 68 of an 80-game season.

* Dan Girardi’s second-period goal was the first in 13 games by a Rangers defenseman since Marc Staal scored a power play goal at the Island on Feb. 24. It also was the first by a defenseman at even-strength in 16, since Staal scored against the Blackhawks on Feb. 16.

larry.brooks@nypost.com

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Andrews shoots Boys High past Jefferson, to third straight crown

Rashad Andrews wins championships wherever he goes.

After transferring to Boys & Girls from national powerhouse St. Anthony of Jersey City in late November for personal reasons, the Adelphi-bound swingman shot the Kangaroos to their third straight PSAL Class AA crown yesterday.

Upstaging the game’s two stars, Boys & Girls’ Leroy (Truck) Fludd and Thomas Jefferson Thaddeus Hall, the Queens native scored a game-high 26 points to lead No. 2 Boys High past top-seeded Jefferson, 71-67, at the Garden. Andrews was a part of St. Anthony’s undefeated mythical national championship team, but he said this title was more fulfilling because instead of a seldom-used reserve he was a starter.

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Boys and Girls celebrates its third straight PSAL Class AA title.

Photos: Thomas Jefferson-Boys & Girls

Denis Gostev

Boys and Girls' Rashad Andrews scored a game-high 26 points in the victory.

Photos: Thomas Jefferson-Boys & Girls

“It was a great feeling, but I didn’t feel like I was a part of it,” the 6-foot-4 said after scoring his Boys High career-high. “I really earned this one.”

Coach Ruth Lovelace stopped short of calling this run a dynasty – “that’s for you guys to decide,” she told reporters – but her Kangaroos (24-6) have established their own place in PSAL and program history. They became the first Boys & Girls team to win three titles in a row and only Lincoln has won four straight.

“You never think this can happen,” Lovelace said. “To win three in a row and be part of history is special. ’ll never ever forget it and I just owe so much to the guys that played for me over the three years to make this possible.”

Despite struggling from the field, making 6-of-23 shots, Fludd scored 17 points, pulled down 12 rebounds and limited Jefferson’s Hall to 17 points on 7-of-14 shooting. Fludd, who Lovelace called the PSAL Player of the Year, is the only Kangaroo to have a hand in each title.

“His name is going to be the answer to a trivia question,” Lovelace said, drawing laughs.

Jaquan (Son Son) Lynch led the Orange Wave (25-7) with 18 points, Kareem Johnakin had 12 points and eight rebounds and Jermoine Faison notched nine points and 10 rebounds. Tyliek Kimbrough had nine points and Wesley Myers had seven for Boys High.

Jefferson was hoping to be the one celebrating on Saturday. The Orange Wave did get off to a good start, their pregame hope. It led 9-3 out of the game, but Boys answered with a 7-0 run and never gave up the lead.

From there, Andrews set the game’s tone, sinking one long jumper after another. He had 14 points in the first quarter as Boys held a two-point lead and 21 by the break as the lead grew to six. Clearly, the Garden didn’t frighten the senior.

“I felt comfortable on that court,” he said. “It felt like I was in the NBA.”

Andrews said he left St. Anthony after a disagreement with the school that didn’t have anything to do with the basketball program. He enjoyed some big moments with Boys & Girls, but nothing like Saturday.

Lovelace, in fact, said he could be an X-factor in the pregame press conference because he didn’t play in the first contest and was a non-factor in the third encounter as he was recovering from the flu. He entered the contest thinking he could make an impact, expecting the Orange Wave to focus on Fludd and Myers. He responded in a major way.

"He was the difference today," Jefferson coach Lawrence (Bud) Pollard said. "He played a hell of a game."

Jefferson did a better job on Andrews in the second half, but Fludd scored 11 of his 17 points and whenever the Orange Wave put together any kind of a run, a turnover followed, Hall or Lynch missed a long jumper or Boys High answered with a big basket.

The Orange Wave got within two twice in the fourth quarter, but Angus answered the first time with a basket inside and Fludd countered on the next occasion. Boys High’s fortitude was lacking in the previous two matchups, when it blew 15-point leads to Jefferson, but it never wilted on Saturday.

“That’s something we talked about this week at practice, before the game and at halftime,” Lovelace said.

Boys High held a significant advantage from the free throw line, making 27-of-36 compared to the Orange Wave going 13-24. Kimbrough made 9-of-12 himself and the Kangaroos were flawless down the stretch.

It led to another title, one few expected was possible back in November. Boys & Girls graduated four starters off last year’s team. But Fludd expanded his game over the summer, Myers emerged after a slow start and transfers Andrews and Kimbrough came up aces in the playoffs.

“A lot of people didn’t have confidence in us,” Fludd said. “But I had confidence in my team. This is what we wanted to do.”

zbraziller@nypost.com

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Who won and who lost at the trade deadline

The Clippers' acquisition of shooting guard Nick Young, left, and the Lakers' landing of Ramon Sessions gives each team a boost heading toward the playoffs. (Photos by Associated Press)

The Lakers are certainly less equipped to handle the final 0.4 of a second in games.

Of course, it's usually the first 47 minutes 59.6 seconds that really matter.

And in that sense, the team is better off today . . . and tomorrow . . . and on any given day as the postseason approaches after adding Ramon Sessions and dumping Derek Fisher.

Sessions makes the Lakers younger, more dynamic offensively and less likely to be blistered by the likes of Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook in the Western Conference playoffs.

"He'll give us more speed and quickness in the backcourt," Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak said. "I'm hopeful that we have a more athletic defensive presence."

Even with the loss of Fisher, the locker room leader and clutch shooter who was traded to Houston after the Sessions deal was made, you can count the Lakers among the teams that improved themselves the most before Thursday's trade deadline. Here are the five biggest winners and losers among teams that made moves:

Winners

Lakers: Not only did the team upgrade at point guard, it also bolstered a thin frontcourt in the Fisher deal by acquiring forward Jordan Hill from Houston. With Coach Mike Brown increasingly reluctant to play Josh McRoberts, the Lakers essentially had only 31/2 big men before getting Hill, the former No. 8 overall draft pick who can shed his label as a disappointment in a new environment.

Now the Lakers have a more complete roster that could get them back to the conference finals.

Clippers: Nobody was going to replace the steadying presence and playoff savvy of Chauncey Billups, who was lost for the season last month after suffering a torn Achilles' tendon.

But shooting guard Nick Young gives the Clippers an occasionally prolific scorer whose fadeaway jumpers are nearly impossible to defend. His youthful exuberance will also infuse a sense of fun in a locker room that had become somewhat joyless after Billups went down and the losses stacked up.

With Young, a former USC star, on board, the Clippers could once again challenge the Lakers for the Pacific Division title.

Golden State: All the plus-minus talk about how many points the Warriors were giving up with Monta Ellis on the court and Stephen Curry off it has been mercifully muffled. Dumping Ellis was a net gain, allowing the team to fully showcase sharpshooters Curry and Klay Thompson while adding former No. 1 overall draft pick Andrew Bogut to a now-formidable frontcourt that also includes David Lee.

Yes, Bogut's return date from a broken ankle remains unknown, but the Warriors showed they intend to make a playoff push by flipping the controversial Stephen Jackson to San Antonio for Richard Jefferson, a solid character guy who should also become a major contributor.

San Antonio: While Jackson would not have been an ideal fit with Golden State, his presence helps the Spurs. He won a title with San Antonio in 2003 and is likely to be a good soldier under former mentor Gregg Popovich.

Adding Jackson's scoring punch alleviates pressure on Tony Parker and the oft-injured Manu Ginobili, making the Spurs contenders to get back to the Finals.

Milwaukee: Brandon Jennings no longer has to do it all himself now that he's been joined by Ellis, whose instant offense could help the Bucks score 100 points by halftime. That's an exaggeration, but Milwaukee's playoff chances in the weak Eastern Conference are no longer a joke.

Losers

Denver: Adding the nut case known as JaVale McGee while subtracting fan favorite Nene makes sense how, exactly? The only worse move would be to give McGee the $14-million-a-year contract extension he intends to seek after the Nuggets fall out of playoff contention.

Houston: If the goal was to please the area's tricenarians, then mission accomplished. Marcus Camby, who turns 38 next week, and Fisher, 37, are solid players well past their primes. A spunky, youthful roster just got old real fast.

Portland: The way the Trail Blazers were frantically dumping players and coaches might have made even the video coordinator fear for his job. The team got a few players with expiring contracts who won't be around long and a draft pick to use in its massive rebuilding efforts.

Cleveland: So much for quality depth at point guard. The Cavaliers better hope that draft pick they got for Sessions turns out to be a winner because Luke Walton and Jason Kapono aren't instilling fear in the rest of the Eastern Conference.

New Jersey: The good news: The long-out-of-contention Nets got Gerald Wallace, thought to be coveted by Orlando in a trade for Dwight Howard. The bad news: Howard isn't going anywhere any time soon.

ben.bolch@latimes.com

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Eli reworks deal to give Giants cap space

Last month, Eli Manning guided the Giants to a second Super Bowl victory in the past four years. The quarterback recently agreed to a contract restructuring that will help his team deal with severe salary cap issues and perhaps aid in keeping players who can produce another Super Bowl run.

Manning has given the Giants some badly-needed salary cap relief. He was scheduled to make $10.75 million for the 2012 season, and the Giants took $9 million of that and turned it into guaranteed money. Manning will get the $9 million immediately, however for NFL salary cap purposes, it will be spread out across the remaining four years on Manning’s contract. That lowers his salary for the upcoming season to $1.75 million, a maneuver that saves the Giants $6.75 million on this year’s salary cap.

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Considering the Giants already were projected to be over the cap, this relief will go a long way in helping the team retain some of their own free agents and perhaps could help save Brandon Jacobs’ roster spot. Jacobs is on the books for $4.4 million for the 2012 season and is in danger of getting released if the two sides can’t agree on a salary adjustment.

The past three years of Manning’s contract were not touched. He will make $13 million in 2013, $15.15 million in 2014 and $17.5 million in 2015.

One veteran who won’t be back is Kareem McKenzie, the starting right tackle for the past seven years, including two Super Bowl-winning teams. McKenzie turns 33 on May 24 and the Giants, who want to get younger on the line, do not intend to make any attempt to keep him in free agency.

That will leave David Diehl and Chris Snee as holdovers on an offensive line that was overhauled before last season with the releases of Rich Seubert and Shaun O’Hara.

Diehl took to Twitter to express his sadness that McKenzie won’t be back. “Great player, friend and teammate,’’ Diehl wrote.

The Giants do have options to replace McKenzie. Diehl has started games for the Giants at right tackle and could move over from left tackle if Will Beatty is able to make a successful return from a detached retina. The Giants took a right tackle prospect, James Brewer, in the fourth round of the 2011 draft.

It is doubtful the Giants will reach into free agency to sign a high-priced tackle, but it is likely they will sign a veteran with some experience or take a tackle in the 2012 draft.

The Giants have hired Lunda Wells, an assistant special teams coach at LSU, as their new offensive quality control coach, according to FootballScoop.com. That leaves one opening on Tom Coughlin’s staff, assistant offensive line coach.

paul.schwartz@nypost.com

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Yankees' Teixeira taking time to treat ailing foot

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Mark Teixeira wasn’t slated to play against the Phillies yesterday when the Yankees’ exhibition schedule opened.

Instead, he was going to work out at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa with fellow infielders Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and Robinson Cano.

However, Teixeira never took the field. Instead, he received treatment on his foot, off of which he recently fouled a ball.

“He was getting treatment on his foot from a foul ball,’’ general manager Brian Cashman said. “No worries, no test [necessary]. He should be fine [today] but he was sore.’’

AP

WORK IT OUT: While the Yankees opened their exhibition schedule vs. the Philles, Mark Teixeira received treatment on his injured foot.

Teixeira had two at-bats against South Florida on Friday at GMS Field.

Yesterday morning in the clubhouse, he wasn’t noticeably limping.

* CC Sabathia was on the schedule to pitch, but didn’t. According to manager Joe Girardi, it wasn’t a big deal.

“CC sometimes changes when he wants to throw,’’ Girardi said. “Everything is good.’’

* Curtis Granderson went 2-for-2 and homered in the Yankees’ 8-5 victory over the Phillies at Bright House Field.

“Take advantage of the elements,’’ Granderson said of the strong wind blowing out. “In batting practice we watched the ball fly out.’’

Right-hander David Phelps, who will be part of the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre rotation, provided two scoreless innings after replacing Ivan Nova.

* Cano will make his spring debut today against the Phillies at GMS Field. Cano missed time earlier in the week in order to attend his grandmother’s funeral.

Freddy Garcia will face Roy Halladay on the mound.

* One week from today, Joba Chamberlain expects to be throwing sliders and curveballs in a bullpen session.

“I am going to throw Tuesday and Friday this coming week and the week after that I can start spinning stuff,’’ said Chamberlain, who received clearance from Dr. James Andrews to take the next step in returning from Tommy John surgery performed by Andrews last June.

Chamberlain has progressed from throwing off flat ground, pitching from a half-mound (5 inches) and a full mound (10 inches).

“I will start the slider first and then throw the curveball,’’ Chamberlain said.

* Andruw Jones didn’t play against South Florida on Friday or the Phillies yesterday, but said he doesn’t have a physical problem. He is expected to play the outfield today.

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Tomorrow’s Aqueduct Entries

All Horses appear in post position order

FIRST-1m&70yds; $71,000; alw; 4up

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

1 Joe Vann(L),118

RDomingz

8-6-3

Pletcher

7-2

2 Rush Now(L),118

CVelasquz

7-2-4

A Dutrow

2-1

3 Midnight Billy(L),118

J Espinoza

7-7-1

J Ortiz

15-1

4 Uncle T Seven(L),118

E Castro

4-3-4

Aquilino

5-1

5 Well Positioned(L),118

J Alvarado

1-1-1

R Dutrow

7-5

SECOND-1m&70yds; $67,000; alw; 4up(f)

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

1 FantasyofFlight(L),118

RDomingz

3-2-2

Terranov

6-5

2 Dattts Cool(L),118

M Luzzi

4-5-1

Hennig

8-1

3 Truth Will Tell(L),120

E Castro

3-1-3

Baker

6-1

4 Royal Sighting(L),118

C Lopez

4-3-4

P Kelly

5-1

5 Nefertini(L),118

A Garcia

2-4-1

Goldberg

7-2

6 Lady Lindy(L),118

D Cohen

7-5-7

Kennelly

8-1

7 DecoratedCourt(L),113

SCamchJr

4-1-4

Jones

20-1

THIRD-1m&70yds; $40,000; clm($7,500); 4up

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

1 Sea Gaze(L),118

JRodriguz

5-4-11

Terrccn

20-1

2 ParcdesPrinces(L),118

J Espinoza

2-1-3

Rodrigez

4-1

3 Hill Crossing(L),115

JRodriguz

1-6-3

Guerrero

4-1

4 Necaise(L),113

SCamchJr

9-4-7

Arroyo

15-1

5 Big Polk a Dot(L),118

NAlvarado

4-5-1

Loaiza

10-1

6 Small Town(L),118

L Perez

3-5-3

Grusmrk

15-1

7 My Piano Man(L),118

D Cohen

2-5-3

Jacobson

2-1

8 Almighty Silver(L),120

RDomingz

2-1-3

Rice

3-1

FOURTH-1 mile; $65,000; mdn; 3up

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

1 Our Eli(L),123

D Cohen

5-3-2

B Brown

4-1

2 Dreamalot(L),123

CVelasquz

5-7-4

P Kelly

10-1

3 Imaspeedyguy(L),118

JRodriguz

4-4-4

P Kelly

15-1

4 TheSnickersKid(L),116

E Castro

2-3-x

Rodrigez

8-1

5 Tycoon Cat(L),123

R Curatolo

2-5-4

Rice

6-1

6 Kall Me Sig(L),116

L Perez

5-2-8

Grusmrk

20-1

7 Hidden Vow(L),116

J Alvarado

2-x-x

Motion

5-2

8 Tall Tale Teller(L),123

RDomingz

6-2-3

Bush

7-2

9 Paci Di Notte(L),123

I Ortiz, Jr

6-5-3

Sciacca

20-1

10 Main Principal(L),118

SCamchJr

10-3-12

Rice

15-1

11 Poke Slam(L),118

SCamchJr

6-x-x

Persaud

30-1

FIFTH-6 fur; $52,000; alw; 4up

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

2 Myrlanski ,118

JRodriguz

5-6-7

Scott

50-1

3 Ginger's Joe(L),118

R Curatolo

4-4-7

Held

30-1

4 D' Sauvage(L),113

JRodriguz

4-5-1

Chtterpl

20-1

5 Molly's Ship(L),118

D Carr

5-1-7

Young

20-1

1 a-MarquetDncr(L),118

I Ortiz, Jr

9-8-2

Badgett

15-1

6 Modern Child(L),118

R Silvera

6-6-2

J Imperio

6-1

7 Saintly Zealous(L),118

E Vaz

9-1-5

Kazamis

20-1

8 Verbosity(L),118

RDomingz

3-5-4

Hushion

8-5

9 Token Sacrifice(L),118

CVelasquz

2-1-2

Galluscio

5-2

10 Papa's Nice Cat(L),113

SCamchJr

1-2-5

Serey

4-1

1 a-AwesomMrgr(L),118

J Davis

13-4-5

Barker

15-1

SIXTH-6 fur; $27,000; clm($7,500); 4up(f)

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

1 Navedano(L),120

NAlvarado

3-2-3

Loaiza

20-1

2 Sneaky Girl(L),120

R Silvera

2-5-5

J Imperio

4-1

3 MystclRhythms(L),120

I Ortiz, Jr

6-4-1

Servis

2-1

4 S'hazeplaynfrm(L),115

SCamchJr

4-5-4

Schettin

15-1

5 Chaka Bwana(L),120

D Carr

8-5-6

Shvmngl

30-1

6 Wow Me(L),115

JRodriguz

2-3-6

Guerrero

7-2

7 Marie's Babe(L),120

R Curatolo

1-5-4

Badgett

8-1

8 Lion's Terms(L),120

D Cohen

6-3-2

Englehart

6-1

9 In Her Hey Day(L),120

A Lezcano

3-5-6

F Martin

30-1

10 ConnietheQuen(L),120

T Hole

5-4-10

Matties

15-1

SEVENTH-1m&70yds; $57,000; alw; 3YO

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

1 Willy Beamin(L),117

E Castro

5-1-4

Schettin

20-1

2 Raffie's Bandit(L),112

JRodriguz

2-3-1

Ryerson

20-1

3 Thor's Mjolnor(L),112

SCamchJr

6-3-1

Contessa

7-2

4 Flatout Royal(L),117

R Curatolo

1-6-10

Stoklosa

30-1

5 Jonrah(L),117

CVelasquz

5-4-1

Rice

10-1

6 Saxophone Len(L),122

RDomingz

1-3-2

Hushion

4-1

7 Zetterholm(L),122

J Alvarado

1-2-11

R Dutrow

8-1

8 Toninthirteen(L),122

M Luzzi

1-2-5

Hushion

8-1

9 Readytodefer(L),122

I Ortiz, Jr

4-1-2

Levine

6-1

10 Coalition(L),117

D Cohen

4-2-7

Bush

5-2

11 Jackin My Style(L),112

SCamchJr

1-5-2

Persaud

30-1

EIGHTH-1m&70yds; $57,000; alw; 3YO(f)

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

1 I BetToniKnows(L),120

J Alvarado

4-1-x

Reed

5-2

2 Miss Libby(L),120

I Ortiz, Jr

1-2-7

B Brown

15-1

3 DancinOnthSnd(L),120

D Carr

6-3-5

D'Alessn

30-1

4 Queen's Bet(L),120

C Lopez

4-8-1

Zito

10-1

5 DreamingofCar(L),122

A Garcia

1-2-2

Friedman

8-1

6 Marlins Rose(L),120

R Curatolo

5-1-2

Gallusci

20-1

7 Newbie(L),120

D Cohen

5-11-1

Kimmel

2-1

8 PopPop'sSmyle(L),122

M Luzzi

1-4-x

B Brown

12-1

9 Shesabrnxbmbr(L),122

RDomingz

1-2-2

Rivelli

5-1

10 Shea Goodbye(L),115

SCamchJr

6-1-5

Contess

15-1

11 Full of Intent(L),120

CVelasquz

3-6-1

Levine

15-1

12 Proud Siren(L),120

R Curatolo

5-7-5

Rice

20-1

13 French Laundry(L),115

SCamchJr

4-5-3

Contess

20-1

NINTH-6 fur; $50,000; mdn; 3YO

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

1 JohnnyBeautifl(L),120

M Luzzi

3-x-x

Rodrigez

3-1

2 Recurring Dream ,120

E Castro

x-x-x

Barker

20-1

3 Why Argue(L),120

A Garcia

4-x-x

Hennig

12-1

4 Tramici Bay(M),120

D Cohen

x-x-x

Servis

10-1

5 Suilleabhain(M),120

J Espinoza

x-x-x

Kimmel

15-1

6 NorthernEvadr(M),120

CVelasquz

x-x-x

Shuman

8-1

7 Verde Mont(M),120

C DeCarlo

x-x-x

Kimmel

10-1

8 Professor Chaos ,115

SCamchJr

x-x-x

Metivier

30-1

9 Easy Street(M),120

J Alvarado

x-x-x

Bush

12-1

10 Sirtori(M),120

RDomingz

x-x-x

Pletcher

7-2

11 Mad Bomber(L),120

CMontalv

8-4-3

Lugovch

20-1

12 Readthebyline(L),120

I Ortiz, Jr

2-2-3

Schsberg

4-1

13 Warriorofthrss(L),120

CVelasquz

3-x-x

Dilodovic

7-2

PN Horse, PN Horse, PN Horse, 4upPN Horse, 4upPN Horse, Horse, Horse, Horse

Nypost.com

Martha Stewart Living's fourth-quarter profit up 2.3 percent

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. said Thursday that its fourth-quarter profit rose 2.3 percent, boosted by a gain on the sale of its stake in a website.

For the quarter ended Dec. 31, the lifestyle, media and merchandising company reported net income of $4.2 million, or 7 cents per share, up from $4.1 million, or 7 cents per share, a year ago.

The recent quarter’s results included $4.7 million in “other” income, compared with $784,000 in the same period last year, largely as a result of the company’s sale of its interest in the WeddingWire website.

Revenue fell 15 percent to $61.7 million from $72.6 million on drops in advertising revenue at both its publishing and broadcasting divisions. Merchandising revenue increased 13 percent to $13.1 million.

For the full year 2011, Martha Stewart Living posted a net loss of $15.5 million, or 28 cents per share, compared with a loss of $9.6 million, or 18 cents per share, in 2010. Revenue fell to $221.4 million from $230.8 million.

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc., Martha Stewart Living, merchandising company, advertising revenue, net income

Nypost.com