SAN FRANCISCO - Hours before the California Supreme Court issued its decision on gay marriage, Mayor Gavin Newsom heard rumblings that the justices would uphold the state's ban.

He prepared for defeat, knowing his stance on the issue often has been a lonely one since he opened San Francisco City Hall's doors in 2004 to a same-sex wedding spree, a move that set the stage for Thursday's historic ruling.

"It was an exhilarating feeling, that's the best I can describe it," Newsom said after confirming the justices' ruling with the city attorney.

BALTIMORE - Rick Dutrow Jr. is nearly as confident that undefeated Big Brown will win the Preakness on Saturday as he was before the colt's dominating win in the Kentucky Derby.

Nothing changed the trainer's mind after watching the muscular horse out on the track for a short run through the stretch in the pre-dawn hours Saturday to keep him fit and on edge for his race later in the day.

Big Brown hit the track at 5:33 a.m. EDT and was off only 11 minutes later.