ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MAY 17, 2021 SPORTS 14

Flavien Prat atop (second from right), leads the pack before winning the horse race at Pimlico Race Course, on May 15, in Baltimore. (AP) Rombauer ‘pulls’ Strategic efforts to support young Kuwaiti talents KIB sponsors Jet Ski World Champion Yousef Al Abdulrazzaq KUWAIT CITY, My 16: As part of its ongoing everywhere else around the world. For that reason, Preakness upset strategic efforts to support young Kuwaiti talents in KIB’s sponsorship of world champion Yousef Al various global and international forums, and in line Abdulrazzaq with his track record of prominent titles with its policy to empower Kuwaiti youth in the area comes as a tribute to Al Abdulrazzaq and all that he Baffert’s 3rd of sports, KIB announced its sponsorship of Jet Ski has achieved throughout his impressive journey.” World Champion Yousef Al Abdulrazzaq. Najia added: “As a bank for life, KIB believes that Yousef Al Abdulrazzaq is a famous Kuwaiti ath- supporting athletes is key to building a brighter future BALTIMORE, May 16, ninth in a 10-horse fi eld. lete and one of the world’s brightest Jet Ski stars with for generations to come, in addition to driving moti- (AP): Rombauer left Medi- “I am at a loss for words,” said Con- a career that spans more than 18 years in the fi eld of vation and inspiration by providing them with inspi- cert Tour jockey Mike Smith, who left rational examples of conquering obstacles in order to na Spirit behind – and put Midnight Bourbon after the Derby to achieve goals.” ’s latest con- ride Baffert’s other Preakness horse. JET SKIING For his part, Jet Ski Champion Yousef Al Abdul- troversy on the back burn- “He just wasn’t going anywhere.” razzaq, said: “I would like to thank KIB for this spon- Maryland racing offi cials required sorship and for their support of my career in global er. Concert Tour and Medina Spirit to un- sports. He is ranked number one worldwide and won Yousef Al Abdulrazzaq with Bukhamseen. and international forums, this sponsorship encour- Little-known Rombauer sprung dergo additional testing and monitor- the world championship 6 times and several Olympic ing as conditions to run in the Preak- ages me and gives me more reasons to achieve more an 11-1 upset to win the Preakness, gold titles, thus becoming enlisted in the Guinness at KIB, said: “KIB prides itself on supporting Ku- and raise the Kuwaiti fl ag high.” passing Bob Baffert’s Kentucky ness. Those three rounds of tests came back Friday, clearing them to race. World Records after collecting 6 international titles waiti champions and local athletes capable of raising It serves to note that KIB is sponsoring a select Derby winner to end a potential None of the other horses were subject under his belt. the Kuwaiti fl ag high by achieving many internation- number of Kuwaiti champions across various sports Triple Crown bid that would have to that level of scrutiny, which came Commenting on the sponsorship, Nawaf Najia, ally renowned titles, these young athletes have be- fi elds by providing the support needed for them to carried a giant asterisk. out of the situation at Executive Manager Corporate Communications Unit come role models for young people in Kuwait and represent Kuwait in global and international forums. Medina Spirit fi nished third and will and Baffert’s four other medication vi- not go on to the Belmont with a Tri- olations over the past 13 months with ple Crown on the line and a potential other horses. Derby disqualifi cation hanging over That was set aside for at least the VeeKay becomes IndyCar’s latest fi rst-time winner the sport. 1:53.62 it took for Rombauer to com- “A little disappointed, but we’ll go plete the 1-3/16-mile race, paying INDIANAPOLIS, May 16, (AP): “I have never cried before when I moved to Team Penske and won two on from here,” said assistant trainer $26.50 to win, $10 to place and $5.20 Rinus VeeKay continued IndyCar’s won a race, but I did today,” said Vee- IndyCar championships. Jimmy Barnes, who saddled the horses to show. youth movement by scoring his fi rst Kay, who vowed to eat a cheesecake VeeKay, meanwhile, has climbed in Baffert’s absence. “He broke as expected and I career victory with a win on the road — perhaps the whole thing — in cel- through the IndyCar development sys- thought he put enough pressure on course at Indianapolis Motor Speed- ebration. The 20-year-old is the fourth tem and is the fi rst driver to win at all Medina Spirit to make it a horse race way. winner 24 or younger to reach victory four levels of the Road to Indy pro- HORSE RACING and then he ended up second,” Mid- The Dutchman became the third lane this season, joining Alex Palou, gram. He won six races in Indy Lights night Bourbon trainer Steve Asmus- fi rst-time winner through fi ve races Colton Herta, and Pato O’Ward in in 2019, seven races and the Indy Pro sen said. “He showed up. He’s im- this season, the most at this point in the what is quickly becoming a changing 2000 championship in 2018 and three Baffert was not present at Pimlico proving. And he’s not there yet, all at season since 2013. of the guard in IndyCar. races in USF2000 in 2017. Race Course, opting to stay away be- the same time.” Only six-time IndyCar champion Mentored by two-time Indy 500 cause of the controversy surrounding Scott Dixon has been to victory lane so winner and fellow Dutchman Arie Medina Spirit, who tested positive far this year for the veterans as the se- Luyendyk, VeeKay is the fi rst Dutch for the steroid betamethasone in post- ries heads next week into preparations winner in IndyCar since Robert Doorn- Derby testing. He said in a spotlight- for the Indianapolis 500 bos won a pair of CART races in 2007. stealing statement hours before the But it is VeeKay who now believes He lives on Main Street in Speedway race: “Today is not about Bob Baffert. he can win the 500. He drives for local across the street from the track and Instead it is about Medina Spirit and team Ed Carpenter Racing, a Chevy- rides his bike to work each day. all of the other equine athletes in our “I live like right next door, so every tremendous sport.” Rinus VeeKay, of the Netherlands, day I wake up, open the curtains and I All the focus nonetheless was on CAR RACING holds the trophy after winning the see the grandstands of the racetrack,” 2-1 favorite Medina Spirit, Baffert IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis he said. “It’s just the perfect day at the and his other Preakness runner, Con- Motor Speedway, on May 15, in In- most perfect place on earth.” cert Tour, who went off at 4-1. Medi- powered organization that has put dianapolis. (AP) VeeKay sliced through the center na Spirit was passed for the first time team owner Carpenter on the pole for of Palou and Jimmie Johnson on a in his career by Rombauer, who won the 500 three times. because it is his fi rst choice — that gutsy three-wide pass to show early by 3-1/2 lengths over second-place “They were already like super mo- would be buttermilk — but because he how aggressive he was at Indy and Midnight Bourbon. tivated, but I’m pretty sure now for liked the way it looked in 2019 winner then chased down pole-sitter Romain “I had to come out running to get my the 500 everyone is just going to be Simon Pagenaud’s photos. Grosjean to take his fi rst lead of the position,” said Medina Spirit jockey next-level motivated,” VeeKay said. “I “I saw the photo of Simon pouring race on Lap 45. Grosjean reclaimed John Velazquez, who fell to 0 for 11 know we have a good 500 car, good milk on his face, and I think the whole the lead when VeeKay pitted, setting in the Preakness. “I knew that he was oval car, I think we can really, really milk gives the nice thick layer of milk, up a potential second showdown. But going to be pressed today. I was hop- Rombauer trainer Michael McCarthy, (left), jockey Flavien Prat, (second do well. I feel super confi dent.” which I like,” he said. this time Grosjean was not able to beat ing that he wouldn’t overdo it, and we from left), and horse owners John Fradkin and Diane Fradkin hold the tro- VeeKay is so confi dent that he al- His win Saturday was the fi rst for VeeKay off pit road and VeeKay was did.” phy after winning the 145th Preakness Stakes horse race at Pimlico Race ready knows should he win the 500 ECR since Josef Newgarden won for easily past Grosjean before Grosjean Concert Tour was a disappointing Course, on May 15, in Baltimore. (AP) he’d like a bottle of whole milk. Not the team in 2016. Newgarden has since got back onto track.