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A22 SPORTS
Saturday 8 June 2019
Belmont will bring end to entertaining Triple Crown

By TOM CANAVAN Trainer Bill Mott's Tacitus
AP Sports Writer hasn't raced since being
NEW YORK (AP) — There's placed third in the Ken-
been a buzz about thor- tucky Derby. The colt also
oughbred racing since will have somewhat of a
the Kentucky Derby and it home-ice advantage since
just might increase when he regularly trains on the
the "What if?" Triple Crown track known as "Big Sandy."
comes to an end with the The colt is sired by Tapit, the
Belmont Stakes. father of three of the last
Think about it. five Belmont winners.
What if Maximum Security, Mott is cautiously optimistic
the first colt across the finish about his chances.
line, had not interfered with War of Will is racing for the
eventual Preakness winner third time in five weeks. He
War of Will at the top of the is the only colt to compete
stretch in the Derby? in all three of the Triple
The incident led to a much- Crown races this year.
debated disqualification of "I have less concern about
Maximum Security that got that now than if you had
people talking about horse asked me that question
racing. two or three days after the
What if a loose horse in the Preakness," Casse said. "I
Preakness hadn't overshad- would have said that is a
owed War of Will's victory huge concern. We know
two weeks later at Pimlico that horse pretty well and
in Maryland? we think he is ready."
What will come next in the There are other interesting
Belmont? stories that could emerge
Maybe it's trainer Mark Horses arrive at sunrise for workouts at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., Friday, June 7, 2019. Saturday.
Casse's War of Will winning Associated Press The third choice in the race
the final leg in the 1½ mile is Master Fencer at 8-1. The
Belmont Saturday for two Casse insists his colt "I think this has been a great ent. Controversy is good. colt is looking to become
thirds of the Triple Crown. would've had a shot to win Triple Crown for racing," People love controversy, the first horse bred, based
Of course, that would lead had he not been fouled. said trainer Dale Romans, and it's got people talking or owned by Japanese
to: 'What if War of Will had The questions and the who is saddling longshot about the game that had connections to win the
not been fouled in Der- chatter will go on. But that's Everfast for the Belmont. no idea about it." Belmont. Roman's Everfast,
by?' Might he have joined positive for a sport dealing "It's not a negative that's on The Belmont will have a who finished second in the
American Pharoah (2015) with a recent slew of thor- TV. Its controversial issues field of 10. Tacitus and War Preakness at 29-1, will be
and Justify (last year) as re- oughbred deaths at tracks on TV. If it was a negative of Will are clearly the colts looking for only his second
cent Triple Crowns winners? around the country. issue, it would be differ- to beat. win in 12 career starts.q

Neymar to testify about posting

accuser's photos

with police Friday alleging The accuser, Najila Trin- it.' He did not communi-
that Neymar raped her in a dade, a 26-year-old model, cate, he just acted," Trin-
Paris hotel room May 15. made her first public com- dade said.
Neymar denies any wrong- ments about her charge Meanwhile, a video
doing. After word of the this week, telling two Brazil- emerged on social me-
woman's allegation be- ian television stations that dia Thursday night that
came known, the player Neymar raped her and en- appears to show Neymar
shared social media posts gaged in "aggression," or and his accuser in a physi-
Brazilian soccer player Neymar gives a thumbs up after speak-
ing to journalists as he leaves a police station where he spoke to meant to show that the ac- physical violence. cal altercation. It is unclear
police in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, June 6, 2019. cuser had sent friendly him The Associated Press how or when the video was
Associated Press messages following the al- doesn't name alleged sex- made, and the AP has no
leged rape. ual assault victims unless way of verifying it.
By MAURICIO SAVARESE that Neymar had received Neymar departed from the they make their identities Neymar da Silva Santos,
Associated Press a subpoena to speak with Brazil national team's ho- public, which Trindade did Neymar's father and agent,
BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — Rio authorities Friday about his tel in the capital of Brasilia in the TV interviews. said the new video is evi-
de Janeiro police said posting on social media of on Thursday and boarded She told the SBT channel dence that his son was set
Thursday that soccer star images and messages of a jet shortly afterward. He that Neymar became ag- up by Trindade.
Neymar was expected to the accuser without her au- left the squad because af- gressive after she refused Trindade denied that dur-
testify soon in an investiga- thorization in possible viola- ter injuring his right ankle in to have unprotected sex ing her TV appearances. "I
tion linked to a woman's tion of her online privacy. a friendly match against with him. She said the play- wouldn't expose myself this
rape allegation against The rape case is being in- Qatar on Wednesday held er had sexual intercourse way to take money from
him. vestigated separately in as a warmup for the Copa with her despite her refusal Neymar. There is no logic,
The Brazilian soccer con- Sao Paulo, where the wom- America soccer tourna- and hit her repeatedly. there is no sense," she told
federation reported earlier an filed a formal complaint ment. "I said: 'Stop it, stop it, stop one interviewer.q