Established 1961 25 Sports Monday, May 21, 2018 Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson cruises to 100m win at Jamaica International Wilson, Kenyans take distance titles at Boston meet

KINGSTON: Jamaica’s double Olympic sprint Elaine Nesta Carter settled for fifth in 10.35, just ahead of Thompson was back in the winner’s circle Saturday, ageless Kim Collins (10.37). While the sprints were the cruising to victory in the 100m at the Jamaica center of attention, American DeAnna Price highlighted International Invitational in 11.06sec. Thompson, the the night’s field events in winning the women’s hammer 2016 Olympic gold medalist in the 100m and 200m, fin- with a throw of 76.27m-the best in the world this year ished well in front of compatriots Kerron Stewart at one centimeter better than the 76.26 of Belarusian (11.25) and Natasha Morrison (11.26) in a race that saw Hanna Malyshik. Jamaicans occupy the top five places. Earleir in New York, two-time world indoor runner- Thompson’s victory came 11 days after she pulled up Ajee Wilson won the 800 meters Saturday in dis- out of the Diamond League tance events contested on the meeting in Shanghai with what opening night of the Boston meet organizers called a Games athletics meet. “physical issue.” A week earli- Wilson won at the er Thompson had finished US Ronnie Massachusetts Institute of third in the 100m at the Technology stadium track in Diamond League meeting in Baker wins 1min 59.27secs, .16 ahead of Doha. The women’s 200m also Jamaica’s Natoya Goule, who went to Jamaica as Shericka men’s 100m was third at this year’s Jackson triumphed in 22.55sec Commonwealth Games. in her long-awaited duel with Kenyans celebrated two Nigerian Blessing Okagbare triumphs with Cyrus Rutto (22.66). But in rainy conditions taking the men’s 3,000 in in Kingston, neither 7:45.64 and Caroline Kipkirui approached her best times of the season. Okagbare has taking the women’s 5,000 in 15:55.24, edging the fastest 200m in the world this year of 22.04. Ethiopia’s Fotyen Tesfay by .51. Britain’s Chris O’Hare, Elaine Thompson America’s 400m world champion Phyllis Francis took a 1,500 Rio Olympic semi-finalist coming off a foot third in 22.76. American Ronnie Baker won the men’s injury, finished second in the mile, with American Drew 100m in 10.00 in a favorable wind of 2m/sec. He head- Hunter winning in 3:56.72 and O’Hare next on 3:57.17. Commonwealth Games with a leg injury. 1,500m runner-up, won the 1,500 in 4:04.65, edging ed compatriot Mike Rodgers (10.04) with Jamaica’s New Zealand’s Nick Willis, twice an Olympic 1,500m Canada’s Brandon McBride won the men’s 800 in American Charlene Lipsey by .33. The meet concludes Tykwendo Tracey third (10.14). medalist, was sixth in 4:00.29 in his outdoor season 1:45.18, defeating Poland’s Marcin Lewandowski by .93. Sunday with sprints on a specially constructed straight- Jamaican Oshane Bailey was third in 10.28 and debut. The 35-year-old Kiwi missed April’s Ethiopia’s Dawit Seyaum, the 2016 world indoor away in downtown Boston.— AFP

Justify wins Preakness to set stage for England calling ‘probably’ Triple Crown bid cost Shields All Blacks jersey WELLINGTON: Brad Shields’ and Liam Squire, Hansen said filling WASHINGTON: Kentucky Derby winner decision to opt for an England jersey the six and eight jerseys had been a Justify battled to a gritty victory in the 143rd cost him a “probable” slot in the All focus for the selectors. “That’s the Preakness Stakes on Saturday to keep the Blacks, coach said yes- thing about the All Blacks-you’ve got dream of a 13th Triple Crown winner alive. terday as two new loose forwards to stay resilient because you are Pressed early by Derby runner-up Good were selected for the New Zealand always up against someone else as Magic at fog-shrouded Pimlico, the Bob side. Wellington Hurricanes skipper good if not a little better. “If you are Baffert-trained Justify, ridden by Mike Smith, Shields, whose parents are English, not prepared to wait for the oppor- surged in the stretch to triumph by half a length cited constantly being overlooked for tunity and keep working at it you are over the late-charging Bravazo. Tenfold was BALTIMORE: File photo shows Kentucky Derby winner Justify is walked back to the the All Blacks as a factor when he not going to get it.” third as Good Magic faded to fourth. “Oh man, barn following a training session for the upcoming Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race switched allegiance to England and The 33-man squad included three it was a nail-biter,” said Baffert, whose seventh Course in Baltimore, Maryland. —AFP won selection for their June tour of new faces with scrum-half Te Toiroa Preakness victory saw him tie 19th-century South Africa. But Hansen, who Tahuriorangi joining Taufua and horseman R. Wyndham Walden for the all-time named his squad Sunday to play Frizell. Another three players-prop record. Baffert said Saturday’s race was his toughest had their own private match race. Somebody France next month, said Shields Tim Perry and backs Richie Mo’unga Baffert also matched D. Wayne Lukas’s challenge yet. had to give-I’m glad it wasn’t us. would “probably” have been selected and Jack Goodhue-were involved record of 14 victories in the three Triple Crown “It was a hard race today on him-probably “I’m so happy that we got it done,” Baffert had he been available. Injuries and with the All Blacks on last year’s races-the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and the hardest race he’s had,” Baffert said. “But, added. “He’s just a great horse to handle all that form forced Hansen to select four northern tour but have yet to make Belmont Stakes. It was Baffert who saddled you know, he’s getting fit. He’s just a wonderful, pressure and keep on running.” No sooner had inexperienced loose forwards — their Test debuts. American Pharoah in 2015 when the three- beautiful horse.” Justify broke cleanly from the Justify fought off Good Magic than Bravazo, a newcomers Jordan Taufua and The 95-Test lock Sam Whitelock year-old became the first horse in 37 years to seventh post and quickly moved to the front on 15-1 shot trained by Lukas and ridden by Luis along with will captain the side in the absence of complete the coveted treble. “We’re going to a Pimlico track rated sloppy after days of rain Saez, was challenging, along with Tenfold, a 25- and who have seven Read who is not expected to start make sure that he comes out of the race well in Baltimore. 1 shot trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden Tests between them. “It is obviously playing again until July following sur- and he trains well,” Baffert said of likely plans by Ricardo Santana Jr. Justify, sent off a 2-5 one of those positions ... he (Shields) gery on his spine at the end of last to point Justify at the June 9 Belmont-the 1 1/2- PRIVATE MATCH RACE favorite, held on, completing the 1 3/16 miles in probably would have made this team season. mile race dubbed The Test of the Champion. But Good Magic, trained by Chad Brown 1:55.93 as a crowd of 134,487 erupted. this year,” Hansen told Radio Shields, meanwhile, will contin- “He’d have to be training really well.” and ridden by Jose Ortiz, was right there, “Unbelievable. It’s a dream come true,” said Newstalk ZB. “I wish him all the ue to live in New Zealand and play Between Affirmed’s Triple Crown sweep in briefly taking the lead on the back stretch as Smith, who acknowledged his mount was “got a best. He wants to play Test rugby, he for the Hurricanes 1978 and American Pharoah’s in 2015, 13 horses they separated themselves from the rest of the little tired.” “It’s been 25 years since I was obviously didn’t see a future here.” until the end of the season when won both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness field and making Justify work hard for the lead blessed to win my first (Triple Crown race), With the retirement of Jerome he will move to England to join but were disappointed in the Belmont. Justify, as they turned into the final straight. which was here ... I’m just so blessed to be rid- Kaino and injuries to Kieran Read Wasps. — AFP unraced as a two-year-old, won for the fifth “They put it to us,” Baffert said. “That (Good ing for these people right now. I’m on cloud time in five races-all since February. And Magic) was a good horse and it was like they nine.” — AFP

227.610 mph, her lap edging 10th-place Castroneves, by 0.0342 of a second for the Surging last chance at pole. “I am very happy with this Ledecky cruises to Patrick among nine car,” Patrick said. “I am comfortable.” Patrick has had groundbreaking 20-year maintain momentum career, with the only IndyCar win by a woman at 800m free victory Indy 500 pole the 2008 Indy Japan 300 and the lone Indy 500 with win over Bulls podium for a female racer at third in 2009. She in Indianapolis seekers has not raced in an Indy 500 since 2011 after BUENOS AIRES: Flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez steered the Jaguares to switching to closed-cockpit stock cars but has a fifth consecutive victory as the Argentine franchise matched their record for wins in a Super Rugby season with a crushing 54-24 tri- CHICAGO: Three-time winner Helio made the most of her return to the Brickyard. LOS ANGELES: Five-time Olympic swim- Castroneves led nine qualifiers Saturday for an “It’s unpredictable. It ebbs and flows here,” umph against the Bulls at Velez Sarsfield on Saturday. ming champion Katie Ledecky capped her first Sanchez, who contributed 24 points, was at the heart of the home pole position battle, with Patrick said. “You can go out one day and you’re meet as a professional with a dominant victory Danica Patrick driving herself into yesterday’s good and you go out the next day, try some side’s best moments, setting up tries for wing and in the 800m freestyle at the Pro Swim Series in centre Matias Orlando as the Jaguares recorded their seventh victo- pole fight for her farewell race. things and wonder how you lost your way. You Indianapolis. Ledecky, who opened the meet A rain-interrupted first day of time trials at have to respect that process about Indy.” ry of the campaign. The Jaguares’ forward play, revitalised by coach with a world record in the 1,500m free on , was key as the hosts raced to a 20-10 halftime lead the famed 2/5-mile (4km) oval also saw 33 cars Wednesday, was never challenged en route to a HINCHCLIFFE, MANN BUMPED and scythed through an increasingly demoralised South African fill the field for the May 27 IndyCar classic, with victory in 8min 07.27sec. Erica Sullivan, 17, Canada’s James Hinchcliffe-the 2016 Indy pole No racers had been bumped at Indy since side’s defence in the opening quarter of the second period. was a distant second in a personal best of Flanker also went over as the Jaguares, consoli- starter-and Britain’s Pippa Mann bumped from 2011 but more than 33 cars entered this year and 8:30.15. “I couldn’t be happier with how this the lineup as the slowest qualifiers. the drama saw Hinchcliffe and Mann caught out dating a fine run of four wins on the road in Australia and New meet went,” said Ledecky, the 21-year-old who Zealand, took sole possession of second place in the South African Brazil’s Castroneves, a former “Dancing With and Aussie James Davison, who recovered from won at 800m at the 2012 Olympics and fol- the Stars” champion seeking his fifth Indy 500 a Friday practice crash, cling to the final spot in conference behind the Lions. The Bulls were always chasing the con- lowed that up with four golds and a silver at test but could have taken the lead in the 25th minute when flanker pole start, set the qualifying pace with a four-lap the race. Rio in 2016. average of 228.919 mph in 2mins 37.2607secs. “I Hinchcliffe, a “Dancing With the Stars” run- Thembelane Bholi spilled the ball after he had crossed the line when She finished the four-day meet with wins in the Jaguares were 13-7 up after fullback Warrick Gelant’s early try. didn’t make many adjustments,” Castroneves ner-up, was bumped by US pal Conor Daly with the 1,500m, 800m, 400m and 200m freestyles said, adding the car “looks really strong. Right 20 minutes left to requalify. Hinchcliffe felt a The visitors did add two tries in the final 10 minutes as replace- and a third place in the 400m individual med- ments Nick de Jager, from a rolling maul, and Andre Warner, from a now, we’re working very well.” vibration in the car and pulled out of line to have ley. Ledecky, who turned professional after the The nine fastest cars got the chance to race it fixed while Mann tried to reclaim a spot but kick to the corner by flyhalf Manie Libbok, grabbed some consola- NCAA collegiate championships in March, then tion points late on. However, the Jaguares, in earning their first bonus again Sunday for the pole and to settle the grid came up short. Time ran out with Mann on the sounded a warning to her rivals in a 2018 sea- for the first three rows. Joining Castroneves will track and Hinchcliffe unable to take a final crack point win of the season, were brilliant as they drove forward in the son highlighted by the PanPacific second half with confident passing and handling. The pick of their be his three Penske Racing teammates- at bumping Davison. Championships at Tokyo in August. Australian , France’s Simon Pagenaud “I’m a little less thrilled about (bumping) than tries came from Orlando, following a break by fellow centre “I think the times are a little deceiving,” she Jeronimo de la Fuente, and a move involving half the team rounded and American Josef Newgarden-and the all- I was 24 hours ago,” Hinchcliffe said. “But that’s said. “We’re in pretty hard training right now, so American Carpenter Racing trio of Patrick, Ed the way it is around here. You’ve got to take off by wing Sebastian Cancelliere. to be going these times is a great feeling and Juan Cruz Mallia’s debut off the bench was cut short in the 77th Carpenter and Spencer Pigot, plus Frenchman your lumps sometimes.” England’s Mann, 34, gives me a lot of confidence moving forward for Sebastien Bourdais and New Zealand’s Scott made six prior Indy 500 starts with a best finish minute by a yellow card for a shoulder charge but the home side still the rest of the summer. “I think I’m in the best had time for a seventh try. , standing in at fullback Dixon. of 17th last year. “It’s the worst feeling in the spot I can be at this point in the season.” — AFP Patrick was the slowest of the top nine at world,” Mann said. — AFP for the injured Joaquin Tuculet, touched down as time expired to take his tournament tally to 10. — Reuters