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A18 SPORTS
Thursday 9 May 2019

Kentucky Derby entrant Improbable runs during a workout at
Churchill Downs Thursday, May 2, 2019, in Louisville, Ky.
Associated Press

Improbable gets Mike

Rafael Nadal, from Spain, returns the ball to Felix Auger-Aliassime, from Canada, during the Ma-
drid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Wednesday, May 8, 2019. Smith aboard for
Associated Press
Nadal overcomes stomach virus possible Preakness run

to advance in Madrid Open BALTIMORE (AP) — Improb- Country House will run it.

War of Will, squeezed
able will have Triple Crown-
winning jockey Mike Smith when Maximum Security
By TALES AZZONI "The important thing is to the tournament he wasn't aboard if the colt runs in drifted out at the Derby as
MADRID (AP) — Rafael win, you know, especially fit enough to keep com- the Preakness on May 18. the leaders were coming
Nadal was concerned go- given what's happened in peting at a high level. Trainer Bob Baffert said out of the final turn, was
ing into his first match at the last three days," he said. Ferrer finished his 20-year Wednesday that he was back training Wednesday.
the Madrid Open. "In general, it's a day to be career with 27 singles titles, making the switch from The colt had his right front
He lost practice time very satisfied, very happy." fifth-best among active Irad Ortiz Jr. because "Mike shoe removed and his foot
ahead of the tournament A five-time champion in players behind the top four and I have a little luck to- soaked in Epsom salts after
because of a stomach vi- Madrid, Nadal will next of Roger Federer, Rafael gether." experiencing discomfort,
rus and didn't know exactly face American Frances Tia- Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Baffert and Smith teamed trainer Mark Casse said.
how his body would react foe, who defeated Philipp Andy Murray. Ferrer had with Justify to win the Triple War of Will finished eighth
when he stepped onto the Kohlschreiber 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. 733 wins in 1,111 matches, Crown last year. — 4½ lengths behind the
"Magic Box" center court "He is playing really well," fourth-best among active Ortiz rode Improbable to a first-place finisher — and
on Wednesday. Nadal said of Tiafoe. "He players. fifth-place finish in the Ken- was moved up to seventh
But despite the lack of has that drive and energy "I couldn't keep playing at tucky Derby on Saturday via the DQ.
preparation and the physi- and it will be a good test for the level that I wanted, but and the colt was moved Trainer Mike Trombetta
cal toll of the illness, Nadal me and an opportunity for I'm very happy and very up to fourth following Maxi- said he will decide by Fri-
cruised to a 6-3, 6-3 win me to play a tough match proud of my career," Ferrer mum Security's disqualifica- day whether Win Win Win
over Canadian teenager and to keep improving." said. tion for interference. runs in the 1 3/16-mile race.
Felix Auger-Aliassime to The 18-year-old Auger-Ali- Earlier, Juan Martin Del Baffert said Improbable will The colt ended up ninth in
reach the third round in the assime is having his break- Potro squandered a match train Monday at Churchill the Derby and emerged
Spanish capital. through season on tour, point in a 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 loss Downs, and then he will unscathed from the race,
Playing only a few days af- having moved to 30th in to Laslo Djere in his second make a final decision on which was run on a slop-
ter falling ill, Nadal lost only the rankings after reach- tournament since injuring the colt's status for the py track for the second
four points on his serve in ing the final in Rio and the his knee in October. Del Preakness, a race the train- straight year.
the first set and broke Au- semifinals in Miami. Potro converted only two er has won seven times. If Also under consideration is
ger-Aliassime three times in He converted on his only of his 11 break opportuni- Improbable joins the field Bodexpress, moved up to
the second. break opportunity of the ties, failing to capitalize on for the middle leg of the 13th after finishing 14th in
"I've had this stomach virus match late in the sec- the match point at 5-4 in Triple Crown, he would ar- the Derby. The colt is 0 for 6
for a few days so this was a ond set, but Nadal broke the final set. The Argentine rive in Baltimore three days in his career.
very important match for right back to close out the had last played in Delray ahead of the race. Among fresh prospects are
me," the second-ranked match. The 17-time Grand Beach in February, losing in The rest of the maximum Bourbon War, who would
Spaniard said. "I've been Slam champion converted the quarterfinals. 14-horse field for the Preak- be ridden by Ortiz, Alway-
improving but obviously the four of his 10 break oppor- Stan Wawrinka defeated ness has begun taking smining, Anothertwistafate,
body remains a bit debili- tunities, with the last one Guido Pella 6-3, 6-4 and will shape. Neither Maximum Laughing Fox, Owendale
tated for a while. I'm very coming on his sixth-match face Kei Nishikori, who got Security nor Derby winner and Signalman.q
happy with the victory. It point of the final game. past Bolivian qualifier Hugo
was very important." The last match of the day Dellien 7-5, 7-5.
Nadal is trying to rebound was also the last ever on Fabio Fognini beat John
from consecutive elimina- tour for David Ferrer, whose Millman 6-2, 6-2, while Gael
tions in the semifinals of career came to an end Monfils edged Marton Fuc-
both Monte Carlo and Bar- with a 6-4, 6-1 loss to de- sovics 1-6, 6-4, 6-2. Estoril
celona, which marked his fending champion Alexan- Open champion Stefanos
worst start to the clay-court der Zverev. The 37-year-old Tsitsipas defeated Adrian
season in four years. Spaniard had said before Mannarino 6-2, 7-5.q