Bent giving up Premiership to stay in Charlton

Soccer Betting Lines

06/15/2007 - London, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After much speculation about a move to West Ham, striker Darren Bent put all rumors to rest on Thursday, agreeing to a new contract that will keep him with Charlton.

The Addicks are coming off a disappointing season in the Premiership where they finished with only eight wins. Since the club was relegated with the second worst record in the league, there were rumors that Bent would switch teams to stay in the top flight.

West Ham and Tottenham both showed serious interest the 23-year-old England international, but in the end Bent decided to stay put.

"We set a valuation for Darren and West Ham were the only club prepared to meet that valuation," said Charlton chief executive Peter Varney. "This morning we gave them permission to speak to Darren, which he did, and he has decided not to join West Ham."

A move to West Ham was thought to be intriguing because it would have re- united Bent with former manager Alan Curbishley. It was Curbishley who brought Bent to Charlton two years ago from Ipswich.

Bent has netted 31 league goals in 68 starts since joining the Addicks in January of 2005. In his first season with the club Bent collected 22 goals, 18 in the Premiership, before posting 13 goals in the Premiership last season.

Charlton is a 6-1 favorite to win the Championship next season.

"We therefore look forward to Darren starting with us in the Championship next season, which is a massive boost to our chances of returning to the Premier League," said Varney.

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MySportsbook.com and Kentucky Derby Offer Bonuses
The 2008 Kentucky Derby has announced a $1-million bonus for this weekend’s 134th ‘Run for the Roses’ and MySportsbook.com is doing the same.

Well, not quite $1 million, but MySportsbook.com is offering a 75% rebate for Kentucky Derby lines. Check out the exclusive horse racing bonus for all the details.

According to MySportsbook.com, the favorites for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky are: Curlin (+250); Street Sense (+500); Scat Daddy (+700); Circular Quay (+750); and Nobiz Like Shobiz (+800).

Derby organizers announced this week that there will be a $1-million bonus at the 2007 Kentucky Derby odds if the first-place horse wins by more than 6 1/2 lengths – the margin of Barbaro's victory last year. The bonus would be divided Saturday among the winning trainer, jockey, owner and a charity, with each receiving 25 percent. The designated charity is the Barbaro Memorial Fund.

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Meanwhile, the Derby favorite – Curlin – is going against the odds this year. It's been 125 years since Apollo won after skipping his 2-year-old season, and not since Regret in 1915 has such a lightly seasoned horse worn the blanket of red roses.

Arkansas Derby winner Curlin – unbeaten in three career races – tries to overcome both those obstacles in Saturday's 133rd Derby.

''We're not running against history,'' trainer Steve Asmussen said Monday. ''We're running against who they load up.''

Six other horses have run in the Derby without benefit of 2-year-old races and with three or fewer starts. The best any of them managed was a sixth-place finish by Showing Up last year.
   
Asmussen dismissed suggestions that Curlin's lack of racing experience could keep him from the winner's circle.

”He exudes confidence and he's got a great presence about him,'' the trainer said. ''I feel great about the position we're in. He's not worried about anything, why should you be?''
   
The Kentucky Derby is at 4:04 p.m., ET Saturday.

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