performance in his stakes debut, rallying from just off th

HOUSTON -- Houston running back Arian Foster was removed from the physically unable to perform list Wednesday and practiced with the Texans for the first time since May. Foster strained his right calf in an off-season practice in late May and struggled with a sore back after recovering from that injury. "Its really important," coach Gary Kubiak said. "Hes been working, its not like hes been standing around. Hes been trying to get all that soreness out and he felt really good the last two days. I think we took a big step forward." Kubiak thought that Foster would have returned to practice sooner than he did, but he understood why he was out as long as he was. "I was watching him work and watching what he was going though so I felt confident that we were close and ready to go," Kubiak said. "I also understand how important it was that they did it at the right time. The key is Arian felt good about it today and thats the most important thing." Foster rushed for 1,424 yards and 15 touchdowns last year for his third straight 1,200-yard season. Kubiak doesnt expect Foster to play Sunday against the Saints and he likely wont play in Houstons final preseason game on Aug. 29 at Dallas. But that wont keep him from being ready for Houstons opener at San Diego on Sept. 9. "I dont think its a must that he carry the ball in preseason to be ready for San Diego," Kubiak said. Foster wasnt sure if hed see preseason action, but didnt sound like he was angling to play before the opener. "Im not a huge fan of preseason," he said. "I feel like Ill be ready for Sept. 9 without (it). Ive just got to get myself acclimated." He said it was a bit frustrating to deal with his back situation after recovering from the calf injury, but he was never concerned that the problems would bleed into the regular season. "I know my body and I knew it wasnt a huge issue," he said. "I had to give it time." The Texans have relied on Ben Tate and a group of mostly rookie running backs while Foster was injured. Quarterback Matt Schaub said it was a boost to see Foster on the field on Wednesday. "It was great to see him back out there and see his explosiveness," Schaub said. "After all his rehab he looked pretty fresh. It was great to have him back in the huddle and get another piece of the puzzle back." Foster is excited about the possibilities for the offence with the new pieces they added in the off-season led by receiver DeAndre Hopkins, chosen in the first-round of this years draft. "Weve got all the potential in the world, weve just got to go execute," Foster said. "Obviously we have a bunch of talent here and its always fun to watch." Foster went through some changes in his life during the off-season, with he and his wife welcoming their first son. He said he mostly just sleeps and eats now, but he cant wait for him to get old enough to run around and play. But hes hoping that his boy doesnt follow in his footsteps in a few years, saying an emphatic "no" when asked about the possibility of him playing football one day. "If he wants to its cool," Foster said. "I love the game and everything but this hurts. Its a lot of work. Let daddy put in the work so you can go study art or something." Nick Holden Jersey . Each of Houstons starters scored in double figures as the Rockets improved to 2-0 against the Spurs this season, with both victories coming on the road. They also moved within 3 1/2 games of San Antonio (22-7) for the lead the Southwest Division. Max Pacioretty Jersey . Dukurs winning time was 1 minute, 45.76 seconds, a quarter-second better than Russias Alexander Tretiakov. Lativas Tomass Dukurs was third, 1.41 seconds off the pace. Jon Montgomery of Eckville, Alta. http://www.goldenknightssale.com/authentic-ryan-reaves-golden-knights-jersey/ . A lawyer for MLB, Matthew Menchel, confirmed Wednesday the league dropped its case against Biogenesis of America, its owner Anthony Bosch and several other individuals. The lawsuit had accused Biogenesis and Bosch of conspiring with players to violate their contracts by providing them with banned performance-enhancing substances. Brandon Pirri Golden Knights Jersey . The Lightning are 2-0 so far on a four-game road trip, giving the club five straight wins as the guest and improving Tampas away record this season to 11-8-2. Nate Schmidt Golden Knights Jersey . After taking two big hits this week -- losing at home and dropping back-to-back games for the first time all season -- Indiana struck back by playing its most complete game of the year. HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. -- Rated R Superstar became a graded stakes winner for the first time while handing the odds-on favorite Awesome Banner his first sprint setback in five tries when he rallied from off the pace to a convincing 3-1/4-length triumph in Saturdays Grade 3, $150,000 Carry Back Stakes at Gulfstream Park.With Cornelio Velasquez aboard, Rated R Superstar was reserved at the rear of the pack in the run down the backstretch while the 2-5 Awesome Banner, as expected, controlled the pace through quick splits of 22.37 and 44.59 seconds for the opening half-mile. Rated R Superstar came wide with his bid rallying into the stretch and readily wore down the tiring leader despite drifting at the end.Awesome Banner, who had won his first four sprint starts by a combined margin of 22 lengths including the Grade 2 Swale and Grade 3 Hutcheson here earlier this year, appeared well in control turning into the stretch with a clear lead, only to shorten stride late and prove no match for the winner. He was easily second-best, finishing six lengths in front of third-place finisher Bullet Gone Astray.The victory was the third in 11 starts for Rated R Superstar, a son of Kodiak Kowboy who was Grade 1-placed around two turns as a 2-year-old. The win also provided some good medicine for trainer Ken McPeek, who was in town but unable to attend the race after becoming ill on the eve of the Carry Back.Rated R Superstar completed seven furlongs over a track upgraded from good to fast just prior to the race in 1:22.09. He paid $7.40.Im actually in town but Ive got a stomach virus, McPeek said by phone immediately after the race. I was up all night. I guess I got it on the airplane. Im extremely dehydrated.McPeek said he was hoping to get some help with the pace with Awesome Banner to set up Rated R Superstars late surge.It looked like they did [press the 1] a little bit and watching the race, I thought he could run him down, said McPeek. Cornelio knew the horse a little from thhe start at Turfway and he did a great job.ddddddddddddcPeek said Rated R Superstar would likely make his next start in the seven-furlong, Grade 1 Kings Bishop next month at Saratoga.Dearest delivers in AzaleaDearest left little doubt shes the queen of the local 3-year-old filly sprint division after cruising to a 1-1/2-length victory over the 28-1 Smartly Agree in the $100,000 Azalea. The pacesetting Ballet Diva finished third.The win was the fourth in five starts for Dearest, a daughter of Midshipman whose only setback came at the hands of Cathryn Sophia in the Grade 2 Davona Dale going a mile this past winter.Dearest covered seven furlongs over a good track in 1:22.81 and paid $2.40. She was ridden to victory by Emisael Jaramillo for Gelfenstein Farm and trainer Gilberto Zerpa.Three Rules dominates BirdonthewireThree Rules followed up his easy debut victory with an even more impressive performance in his stakes debut, rallying from just off the pace to a dominant five-length victory over the 73-1 outsider Sonido in the $75,000 Birdonthewire for 2-year-olds. The pacesetter Francesco Appeal finished third.Three Rules, a son of Gone Astray, is owned by his breeder, Shade Tree Thoroughbreds Inc. and was ridden to victory, as he was in his previous start, by Velasquez. He paid $2.40 after covering 5 1/2 furlongs over a good track in 1:22.81.Cajun Delta Dawn upsets Cassidy StakesCajun Delta Dawn rallied up the rail under jockey Juan Leyva to outfinish Lirica by a half-length to upset the $75,000 Cassidy Stakes. The winners stablemate, Perfect Key, finished third after controlling the pace while the 3-5 favorite Wide Gold checked home fourth in the field of eight 2-year-old fillies.Cajun Delta Dawn is trained by David Fawkes for owner-breeder Curtis Mikkelsen. He ran 5-1/2 furlongs over the good track in 1:05.21 and paid a generous $36.60. ' ' '