D4 Friday, June 7, 2019 |TimesDaily

MLB HORSE RACING TrainerBillMotttryingtowin Belmont, andwithout mayhem By TomCanavan It also put Mott in a Mott said, adding Coun- The Associated Press category with Maris — tryHouse ran hisheart an asterisk next to their out in the Kentucky NEW YORK —Stand- names. Derby. ing outside his barn at Maris got it for hitting Mark Casse, who trains BelmontPark and wear- athen-record 61 homers War of Will and also will ingaNewYorkYankees in 162 games in 1961. It be lookingfor his second cap, trainer Bill Mott was broke Babe Ruth’s record win in this Triple Crown, finishing aconversation of 60 homers in 154 games said he felt bad for Mott about Roger Maris. in 1927. the day after the Derby. Mott hadthought the Mott will be remem- “I think it has been hard man who broke Babe bered as the first trainer on Bill,” Casse said. “Bill Ruth’s record was from to win the Kentucky is such agreat guy. You his home state, South Derby after the first horse talk about class, you’ll Dakota. Actually it was across the finish line was find his name right next to North Dakota, although disqualified. it. It’s tough no one wants the Hall of Fame trainer Awry smile crosses to win that way. Nobody wasn’t about to totally Mott’s facewhenheis wants to win that way.” lose the debate. He reminded of the link to What would make his insisted Maris bought his Maris. Triple Crown season beer in South Dakota. “My statistics prob- perfect is having the Aftersome laughs, the ably haven’t exceeded 1½-mile race go off with- talk shifted to Saturday’s his,” Mott said Thursday, out ahitch. Belmont Stakes, the final acknowledging the aster- The disqualification leg of what has been a isk reference. marred the Kentucky chaotic Triple Crown, He acknowledged that Derby. The Preakness not only for thorough- beinginthe Derby win- was highlighted by War bred racing but for the ner’s circle Derby was of Will’sperformance 65-year-old Mott. awkward. He felt afew and another horse run- What will be remem- of the people shaking ning around the Maryland bered is that Maximum his handweretrying to track after unseating his Security finished first get away as quickly as rider. Ten colts have been in the Kentucky Derby possible. It was almost enteredfor theBelmont, and was disqualified for like apologizing for win- but it seems to be atwo- Pittsburgh’s’ Gregory Polanco(25) celebrates with Jacob Stallings (58) as he returns to the dugout interfering with eventual ning, or beingnamed the horse race. after hitting asolohomerun off Atlanta Bravesstarting pitcher MikeFoltynewicz during the second Preakness winner War winner. Tacitus, who will inning Thursday.[GENE J. PUSKAR/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS] of Will. That elevated “I certainlydon’t want be racing for the first Country House to first the owners or anybody time since being placed place and gave Mott his else to think I’m not third in the Derby, Pirateshomer twice, first Kentucky Derby win. pleased about winning,” is the 9-5 favorite. takedownAtlanta 6-1 Pressurefor everyone as US Open By Alan Saunders Wallinrightfield,his makesits return to Pebble Beach The Associated Press eighth home run this season. Three pitches later, Trainer's room The Associated Press century by winning for the Gobackmorethanacen- PITTSBURGH —Mike Polancosentacurveball Pirates: RHP Trevor Wil- third straight time. Phil tury to find the last player Foltynewicz allowed con- into the last row of the liams (right side strain) is The U.S. Open’s return Mickelson gets perhaps —the only player —towin secutive home runs to right-field seats. tentatively scheduled to to Pebble Beach coincides his best chance —maybe theU.S.Openthreestraight Colin Moran and Gregory Chris Archer (3-5) gave make his first minor league with the 100-year anni- his last one —tobecome times. Willie Anderson did Polanco in the second up one run and six hits in injury rehabilitation start versary of the only the sixth player it from 1903-05, when golf inning of a6-1 loss to sixinnings, aturnaround on June 13. He has been out with the most famous with the career Grand was so young in America the Pittsburgh Pirates on after he yielded at least since May 17. coastline in American golf. Slam.Alsofeelingthepres- thatonly78playersshowed Thursday, asubpar outing three runs in each of his WhereJackNicklaussaidhe sure is the USGA to end a up at Myopia Hunt outside that may give the Atlanta previous five starts. would go if he had only one bad run of complaints and Boston whenhewon his Braves added reason to Felipe Vázquez got four Up next moreroundtoplay.Where chaos in the U.S. Open. third in arow. pursue free agent Dallas outs for his 15th save in 16 Braves:RHP Mike Soroka delivered “If they can’t redeem Since then, four other Keuchel. chances. He entered with (6-1, 1.41 ERA) will start his greatest display of themselves at Pebble playershavetriedandfailed Foltynewicz (1-5) has a3-1 lead andarunner on athree-game series at dominance. Beach, then there could tomatchAnderson’smark. allowed 15homeruns, in the eighth, then retired Miami. The rookie has Not even the vivid be aproblem,” said Rory NextupisKoepka,whois one shy of NL leader Kyle Nick Markakis on afoulout. allowed three earned runs scenery of the Monterey McIlroy, acomment that onthebestruninthemajors Freeland of Colorado. An After Atlanta loaded the or fewer in all nine starts Peninsulacan removethe reflects how players feel —hehas won four of his All-Star last year, Foltyne- bases in the ninth on a this season and has won six pressure that accompanies about Pebble Beach and last eight —since Woods wiczgaveupthree runs, single and apair of walks, straight decisions. anyU.S.Open,though.For howmuch faith in the was at his peak. Adding to six hits and one walk in six Vázquez struck out Dansby Pirates:RHP RookieDavis this one, there is plenty to USGA has eroded the past the attention on Koepka innings, lowering his ERA Swanson on three pitches (0-0, 5.87 ERA) will make go around. few years. was his victory last month from 6.10 to 5.89. for the final out. his first start with Pitts- When the USGA Koepka seems to be in the PGA Championship Josh Bell had three dou- Bell, who had started burgh to start a10-game announced nine years ago the least bothered by the at Bethpage Black, which bles, increasing his major June in a2-for-14 slide, hit trip at Miami. The former areturn to Pebble Beach, U.S. Openchanging its looked and played like a league-leading total to 25, atwo-run double off Jacob Cincinnati Reds prospects officials had no idea just look(Erin Hills)orrepeat- U.S. Open. and had two RBIs to take Webb in the bottom half hasn't started in the majors how much history would ing mistakes (Shinnecock Of the four players sole possession of the big and scored on Elias Díaz's since Sept. 20, 2017. He beatstakeforthe119thU.S. Hills), perhaps because he who had achance at three league lead with 58. double. was 1-3 with a5.35 ERA in Open. keeps winning. straight U.S. Opens, only Moran gave the Pirates Freddie Freeman put seven starts with Triple-A Brooks Koepka can “Whatever they’re Ralph Guldahl in 1939 a2-1 lead with atwo-run Atlanta ahead in the first Indianapolis. match arecord that has doing,it’sworkingforme,” won the previous major above the Clemente with his 16th home run. stood for more than a he said. (Masters).

GOLF From Page D1

after hitting it. Given the forecast for the rest of the 72-hole tournament—more rain— the weather promises to beanongoing source of concern for tournament officials of the Alabama Golf Association. Whenthe finalscores Defending champion Matt Lorenz hits his shot on thefirst hole from the first round were during Thursday’s first roundofthe 2019 Alabama State Amateur posted, former North Golf Tournament at Turtle PointYacht and Country Club. Alabama golfer Trent Alex- ander and Mobile’s Will McFadden shared the lead at 4-under- 68. Both had one thing in common— they played early. Alexander, aformer assistant professional TurtlePoint who played bogey free, was in the second group off at 7:10 a.m. McFaddenteedoff at 8:30 a.m. “It rained on us from No. 8through 17,” Alex- ander said. “It was mostly anuisance. It was not Agolfer looks over his ’s shoulder as the sizeupaputt on hard enough to be areal the ninth green during the 2019 Alabama State Amateur Golf Tour- problem.” Aaron Jackson hits an off the 10th tee during the 2019 Alabama State Amateur Golf Tournament at nament at Turtle PointYacht and Country Club. Alexander finishedhis Turtle PointYacht and Country Club. [PHOTOS BY MATT MCKEAN/TIMESDAILY] college career at UNA in 2015. He made birdies on high school golf at Shoals are as invincible. Ijust tried the first round, with another are within six shots of the a.m. The field will be cut to No. 8, 11, 15 and 17. Christian and was apart to grind it out and not make seven at even par. lead, nearly anyone of which 60 players and ties for the Alexander briefly turned of ateam that won four any mistakes.” Ford Goldasich, Austin could leapfrog to the front weekend rounds –weather professional beforeregain- straight state titles. McFadden reached Coggin, Dawson Atkinson depending on playing con- permitting, of course. inghis amateur status late “My dad has always told 7-under through 15 holes, andLoganArcherledagroup ditions. The scoring average last year. Now, he sells me thatyou get alittlebit but abogey on No. 16 and a of four players who shot 70. inthe first round was 77.6 – gregg.dewalt@TimesDaily. lumberand justrecently smarter when you get out double-bogey at No. 18 left UNA’s Rob Richards was just shy of 6-over-par. com or 256-740-5748. moved back toFlorence of college,” Alexander said. him tied for the lead. in agroup of five players who Today’s second round Twitter from Athens. He played “In college you think you Only11playersbrokeparin shot70.Thirty-eightplayers is scheduled to begin a7 @greggdewalt.