SPORTS SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2015 Gatlin clocks 9.75 in winning 100 meters ROME: Justin Gatlin came within 0.01 sec- two fractures to her wrist and a dislocation. onds of his world-leading time in the 100 “She’s been given pain medication, and is meters, clocking 9.75 at the Golden Gala on being seen by one of the top orthopedic sur- Thursday. Then the American declared he geons in Rome,” Joske said on Friday. “What could approach Usain Bolt’s world record of that means for the rest of the season, we 9.58 at the world championships in Beijing in don’t know. At least it’s not her legs. And she August. “I feel confident running times is a fighter.” around 9.70,” Gatlin said. “9.60 should be pos- The world championships, where Pearson sible in summer.” With the wind in his favor, is defending champion in the hurdles, begin Gatlin finished several strides ahead of the on Aug. 22 in Beijing. American rival Brianna rest of the field then flexed his biceps for pho- Rollins also failed to finish, while Sharika tographers in the finish area. Nelvis of the United States won in a personal- Running strong all the way to the finish best 12.52. “I ran my own race and didn’t see despite his lead, Gatlin took one tick off the any of those falls,” Nelvis said. Emerging clock from Bolt’s meet record of 9.76 set in Cuban standout Pedro Pablo Pichardo leaped 2012. European indoor champion Jimmy 17.96 in the triple jump to break Jonathan Vicaut crossed second in 9.98, and Gatlin’s fel- Edwards’ meet record of 17.60 set in 1998. low American, Mike Rodgers, was third with Pichardo earned the year’s best jump of 18.08 the same time. last week. Gatlin clocked 9.74 seconds in the Renaud Lavillenie won the pole vault at Diamond League opener on May 15 in the 5.91 but failed in three attempts to clear 6.01. sweltering heat of Doha, Qatar. Only four He was far off his world-leading 6.05 in sprinters have ever run faster, including Bolt, Eugene, Oregon, last weekend. who set 9.58 in 2009. Two-time European champion Ruth Beitia “The key thing to keep winning is to not of Spain beat a stellar field in the high jump at think about it,” Gatlin said. “I do not think of 2.00. Croatian standout Blanka Vlasic finished beating Usain Bolt now because the champi- second at 1.97, and appeared content after onship is not tomorrow. We still have some three injury-plagued seasons. Vlasic wiggled a time.” Also in the fourth stop of the Diamond little dance after clearing 1.94 on her third try League, Olympic champion Sally Pearson of then unleashed a fist pump when she made Australia sustained a broken left wrist after 1.97 on her first attempt. ROME: Justin Gatlin, of the United States celebrates after winning the men’s 100m event hitting the fifth obstacle in the 100 hurdles. Olympic champion Anna Chicherova set- at the Golden Gala IAAF athletic meeting, in Rome’s Olympic stadium. —AP She will undergo surgery in Rome late yester- tled for sixth at 1.94. Jeneba Tarmoh of the day. Organizers said Pearson was taken to the United States won the women’s 200 in 22.77 48.13, edging fellow American and Olympic 12:58.39, the year’s best time. And local Gemelli Hospital, and her manager, after Olympic 100-meter champion Shelly- silver medalist Michael Tinsley by 0.21. The Mohammed Aman, another Ethiopian, Sydney-based Robert Joske, later confirmed Ann Fraser-Pryce withdrew. 17-year-old world junior champion Yomif clocked 1:43.56 in the 800 for another fastest to The Associated Press that she sustained Also, Johnny Dutch won the 400 hurdles in Kejelcha of Ethiopia won the men’s 5,000 in time of the year.—AP Distance and rivals challenge American Pharoah’s Triple try NEW YORK: All that separates Preakness Stakes, and Belmont, and American Pharoah galloped another miss. “There’s a lot of anxi- most of them ride. American Pharoah from being the failed since 1978. Now it’s American around the big Belmont oval on ety,” said Bob Baffert, the only train- American Pharoah’s California- first US Triple Crown winner in 37 Pharoah’s turn today. Thursday before visiting the pad- er to lose the Belmont three times based jockey, Victor Espinoza, has years is 1 1/2 miles (2,400 meters) The bay colt with the unusually dock where he will be saddled on with horses that won the first two experience in the Belmont, having and seven rivals determined to short tail appears to have come race day. He is the heavy 3-5 early legs. “I don’t even think about the lost two other Triple tries, with make him earn a victory in the through the Derby and Preakness favorite. He either follows history.” If there’s rain in the fore- California Chrome last year and War Belmont Stakes. Twelve horses with energy to spare, and he’ll need Affirmed’s sweep in 1978, and cast, give the edge to American Emblem in 2002. before him have tried to complete it in the longest and most grueling boosts the struggling horse racing Pharoah, who romped to a seven- “If he’s happy, it’s all going to be the sweep of the Kentucky Derby, race of the three. industry in the US, or becomes just length win in the Preakness after a easy,” Espinoza said. “If he’s not massive downpour occurred as the happy, you’re going to force things horses were going to the starting and he’s not ready to do it.” gate. The colt’s grand-sire, Empire American Pharoah will be the Maker, won the 2003 Belmont, only horse to run in all three Triple spoiling Funny Cide’s Triple Crown Crown races this year. Five of his bid. This time, the competition rivals already lost to him in the seems committed to sticking closer Derby, one was beaten by him in to American Pharoah, whose pre- the Preakness, while another is new ferred running style is at the front, to the series. Madefromlucky, who although he’s shown he can sit off along with Materiality are trainer the early pace and win. How many Todd Pletcher’s two entries, has of the horses press the early pace trained and won at Belmont Park. will determine who has enough gas How American Pharoah handles left for the 1,097-yard (1,003-meter) the extra quarter-mile (400 meters) run down the final straight. in the Belmont will be crucial to his “I want him to break cleanly and chances. “If American Pharoah can freely,” Baffert said, “and have Victor get a mile and a half today, all of our put him in the mode where he’s hats will be off to him,” said Jerry comfortable. I’m sure they’re all Crawford, who owns 20-1 shot Keen going to be pretty close together.” Ice. “But it’s our job to do what we Just as horses aren’t used to run- can to make the race honest.” ning 1 1/2 miles, jockeys aren’t used Kiaran McLaughlin, who trains 5-1 to riding races that long, either. The second choice Frosted, said: “We Belmont has undone some who hope people are booing us after the have moved too soon and burned race. We don’t mind a Triple Crown out their horses. Others have winner, just not this year.” moved too late and let the leaders Luck - either good or bad - plays get away. a role in the Belmont, too. Real The track’s deep, sandy surface Quiet was denied horse racing can prove tiring to run on, the turns immortality in 1998 by a nose, are sweeping, and the poles used which still haunts trainer Baffert. by jockeys to judge their location “One-and-a-half miles is the biggest HOT SPRINGS: In this March 14, 2015, file photo, American Pharoah (4), jockey Victor Espinoza (up) runs are placed differently than at the issue,” he said. “It’s a test of great- down the stretch to win the $750,000 Rebel Stakes horse race at Oaklawn Park. —AP mile (1,600-meter) tracks where ness and he’ll let us know.” —AP.