Black Ruby continues streak

SANTA ROSA, Calif. - World champion mule Black Ruby ($2.40) won her ninth straight race and avenged her only loss of 2001, defeating archrival Taz by three-quarters of a length Sunday in the Santa Rose Mule Championship at the Sonoma County Fair.

Black Ruby, who has won 59 of 77 starts, covered 440 yards in 25.657 seconds and combined with Taz for the 33rd exacta in their 40 meetings.