Page 23 - ARUBA TODAY

A23
SPORTS Friday 7 June 2019
Norman clocks world-leading time in 200 meters in Rome

ROME (AP) — Michael Nor- had beaten Nijel Amos
man clocked a world-lead- with a time of 1:43.63 in
ing time in the men's 200 the 800. Amos appeared
meters to edge out fellow to run out of steam as they
American Noah Lyles at approached the line and
the Golden Gala meet on Brazier surged ahead to
Thursday. win by two hundredths of a
Norman's time of 19.70 second.
seconds was also a meet Brandon McBride of Cana-
record at the Diamond da was third in 1:43.90.
League event and a per- Telahun Haile Bekele also
sonal best for the 21-year- came from behind to edge
old, who was just two hun- out fellow Ethiopian Sele-
dredths of a second ahead mon Barega in the 5,000
of Lyles. with a personal best of
"I am really happy with the 12:52.98. Barega finished in
time, there was a good 12:53.04, with compatriot
flow, it was amazing," Nor- Hagos Gebrhiwet third in
man said. "I changed a few 12:54.92. In the women's
things race pattern-wise. 1,500, world record-holder
I was a lot stronger today Genzebe Dibaba of Ethio-
and I tried to hold the com- Michael Norman, center, on his way to win the men's 200 meters event at the Golden Gala Pietro pia eased home in a world-
posure ... I am just happy Mennea track and field meeting in Rome, Thursday, June 6, 2019. leading 3:56.28 to beat Brit-
now if I am progressing like Associated Press ain's European champion
this." Laura Muir and compatriot
Norman and Lyles, who is faster than in the last race ca also ran the fastest time States was third in 11.12. Gudaf Tsegay.
also 21, have established so I can feel great things of the year as she came There were also world-lead- Olympic champion Dalilah
themselves as two of the will happen," Lyles said. from behind to beat triple ing times in the men's 800 Muhammad ran 53.67 in
most exciting sprint talents Alex Quinonez of Ecuador European champion Dina and 5,000 and the women's the women's 400 hurdles to
in the world. was third in 20.17. Asher-Smith in 10.89. 1,500. beat fellow American Sha-
"This race didn't really go as In the women's 100 meters, The British athlete was 0.05 A photo decision was mier Little by 0.73 and Zu-
expected, winning is what is double Olympic champion seconds behind Thompson. needed to conclude that zana Hejnova of the Czech
always expected, but I run Elaine Thompson of Jamai- Aleia Hobbs of the United Donavan Brazier of the U.S. Republic by 1.15.q

Tacitus favored in Belmont;

Preakness winner 2nd choice

By TOM CANAVAN jockey Tyler Gaffalione. Tapit, who has sired three
NEW YORK (AP) — Win- "I had read in the last cou- of the last five Belmont win-
ning the Preakness wasn't ple of days that he wasn't ners.
enough to make War of going to be," Casse said "I'm not worried about it
Will the Belmont Stakes fa- of not being the favor- at this moment," Mott said
vorite. ite. "There's a few things of the distance. "I guess
In fact, being the only colt against him. Tacitus has the we've got to see it to be-
to run in all three Triple home-field advantage. lieve it. It's like the Derby, a
Crown races really didn't He's the only guy to play in test by fire, You really only From left, Everfast trainer Dale Romans, Intrepid Heart and Spi-
earn him the respect one all three. I'm sure it has to know when it's over if they'll noff trainer Todd Pletcher, War of Will trainer Mark Casse and
Tacitis trainer Bill Mott answer questions during a draw ceremo-
would expect. take some toll on him." do it or not. I feel quite pos- ny for the 2019 Belmont Stakes race, Tuesday, June 4, 2019, in
Well-rested Tacitus was Casse believes War of itive about it." New York.
made the slight favorite Will has his best ahead of Thus far this Triple Crown Associated Press
over the hard-working War him, saying he has looked has been memorable for
of Will in a Belmont Stakes good. all the wrong reasons. War of Will was impressive Everfast, Luis Saez, 12; Mas-
that wraps up a whacky The only thing that threat- A year after Justify electri- in winning the Preakness ter Fencer, Julien Lepa-
Triple Crown. ened him on Tuesday was fied the racing world by but the race was over- roux, 8; Tax, Irad Ortiz, 15;
Tacitus and War of Will got a couple of loose horses on capturing the Triple Crown, shadowed when a rival Bourbon War, Mike Smith,
the outside No. 10 and 9 the track during a morn- thoroughbred's biggest colt threw its rider at the 12; Spinoff, Javier Castel-
post positions, respectively, ing gallop, but War of Will event for 3-year-olds end- start and ran around the lano, 15; Sir Winston, Joel
on Tuesday in the draw at didn't seem to notice. ed in chaos after Maxi- track during the race. Rosario, 12; Intrepid Heart,
Citi Field, but those should Tacitus has not raced since mum Security was disquali- Now comes the Bel- John Velazquez, 10; War of
not be a problem in the 1 being elevated into third fied after finishing first in the mont and hopefully it go Will and Tacitus.
1/2-mile race on Saturday place in the Derby so he Derby. Country House was smoothly. "I don't think there was a
at Belmont Park. is going to be a lot fresher placed first. Joevia drew the No. 1 post bad post position," said
Tacitus was made the 9-5 than War of Will. The colt Within days, the owners position. Jose Lezvano Casse, who had War of Will
morning-line favorite for also likes racing in New of Maximum Security and is the jockey on the 30-1 get the No. 1 post in the
trainer Bill Mott and jock- York. He won the Wood Country House said they choice. first two legs of the Triple
ey Jose Ortiz. War of Will Memorial at Aqueduct in would be skipping the The rest of the field in post- Crown. "I like our post posi-
is the 2-1 second choice prepping for the Kentucky Preakness, meaning there position order with horse, tion. It's the first time we've
for trainer Mark Casse and Derby and he is the son of would be no Triple Crown. jockey and odds is: got a decent post. q