Off the wire

HORSE RACING

Orb on track for Belmont

Trainer Shug McGaughey is still thinking Belmont Stakes for his Kentucky Derby winner after Orb galloped a mile Thursday morning at Belmont Park. It was Orb’s first trip to the track since finishing fourth in the Preakness on Saturday, and McGaughey said he’s pleased with the way his colt got around the track under exercise rider Jennifer Patterson. “We’re taking it as it comes and not looking too far ahead,” the Hall of Fame trainer said. “But if everything goes well, we’d like to run in the Belmont.” If Orb shows up for the June 8 Belmont, it would set up a rematch with Oxbow, who won the Preakness by 1¾ lengths and gave trainer D. Wayne Lukas his record 14th victory in a Triple Crown race. Lukas already has said Oxbow’s a go for the Belmont and said Thursday that he’ll also send out Will Take Charge, which was seventh in the Preakness. The field for the 1½-mile Belmont continues to take shape with about 12-14 possible starters, even with Thursday’s news that third-place Preakness finisher Mylute will not be entered. The list includes six 3-year-olds trained by Todd Pletcher, including the filly Unlimited Budget. In 2007, the Pletcher-trained Rags to Riches became the first filly in 102 years to win the Belmont. Pletcher’s other Belmont contenders are Revolutionary, Overanalyze and Palace Malice, third, 11th and 12th in the Derby, respectively, with Micromanage and Midnight Taboo under consideration. Derby runner-up Golden Soul is also on the list, along with Giant Finish (10th in the Derby), Peter Pan winner Freedom Child, and Code West and possibly Power Broker, both trained by Bob Baffert.

FOOTBALL

Garcon, Wilson recovering

Washington Redskins Coach Mike Shanahan said receiver Pierre Garcon and cornerback Josh Wilson are recovering from off season surgeries. Shanahan revealed Thursday that Garcon had a procedure for what the coach called a “chest” injury suffered in the final game of the season. Garcon has not been cleared to take part in the full off season practices and instead has been catching passes from Robert Griffin III, who is recovering from a knee injury. Garcon led the Redskins with 633 yards receiving last year despite being limited by a painful toe. Shanahan said Wilson had surgery to repair a nagging shoulder injury. Shanahan said both players are progressing well but wouldn’t say whether either would be ready for the start of training camp in late July.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dexter McCluster hurt his hamstring early in Thursday’s voluntary workout, while defensive back Neiko Thorpe and linebacker Mike Catapano also picked up minor injuries. Coach Andy Reid said after the week’s final organized team activity that McCluster had a “mild” hamstring injury. There is a chance he’ll be back on the field next week, when the Chiefs wrap up three weeks of voluntary workouts and prepare for their mandatory minicamp. Catapano also hurt his hamstring, Reid said. Thorpe tweaked a knee. Reid also revealed that tight end Tony Moeaki, who had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in the off season, probably won’t be on the field until training camp. The injury-prone Moeaki has been watching from the sidelines during the voluntary workouts.

Prosecutors are going to court to have the bond revoked for a Dallas Cowboys player awaiting trial on an intoxication manslaughter charge. In court papers filed Thursday, prosecutors accused Cowboys defensive tackle Josh Brent of violating the terms of his release on bond by consuming alcohol and tampering with a device that detects the presence of alcohol in his body. That makes Brent a threat to the public, the documents state. A hearing is scheduled for Friday morning. Brent has been free on a $100,000 bond since being charged in the Dec. 8 crash that killed practice squad player Jerry Brown Jr., a passenger in the car. Police say Brent had a blood-alcohol level twice the legal limit for driving. Brent’s football career remains on hold pending the outcome of this case. He’s scheduled for a fall trial date. The violations of the conditions of Brent’s bond have been repeated and serious, said Debbie Denmon, spokesman for the Dallas County district attorney’s office. “Bonds are put in place for a reason,” she said. She added that the conditions in Brent’s case must be especially stringent because someone died. “You don’t get a free pass because of your celebrity status,” she said. George Milner, Brent’s defense attorney, and Cowboys spokesman Rich Dalrymple declined to comment.

BASEBALL Montero sent to minors

The Seattle Mariners sent slumping catcher Jesus Montero to the minor leagues Thursday, a year after acquiring him in trade full of potential that hasn’t panned out for either side. The Mariners optioned Montero to Class AAA Tacoma. He has 72 hours to join the club. Montero, 23, is hitting .208 with 3 home runs and 9 RBI. He’s also been a designated hitter, and there are concerns about his impatience at the plate. Seattle got Montero from the New York Yankees after the 2011 season. Montero made a nice impression in a brief call-up that year, hitting .328 with four homers and 12 RBI, and the Yankees traded him and pitcher Hector Noesi to the Mariners for pitcher Michael Pineda and a minor leaguer. Montero hit .260 with 15 home runs and 62 RBI last year in his first full season in the majors. Montero had been splitting time with backup catcher Kelly Shoppach in recent weeks. The Mariners will make a corresponding roster move Friday - their catchers in Class AAA are defensive-minded Jesus Sucre and touted prospect Mike Zunino. Pineda, an All-Star as a rookie in 2011, has been injured and not pitched yet in the majors for the Yankees. Pineda is currently pitching in extended spring training games and could be ready to start a minor league assignment after one more extended start early next week. He threw Thursday, which lines him to pitch again Tuesday.

TENNIS

Querrey loses at Nice Open

American Sam Querrey was eliminated from the quarterfinals of the Open de Nice clay-court event Thursday at Nice, France, losing to French wild-card entry Edouard Roger-Vasselin 3-6, 7-6 (2), 6-1. Roger-Vasselin broke the third-seeded Querrey twice in the final set to lead 5-1 before converting his first match point with a forehand winner. Roger-Vasselin will play Spain’s Albert Montanes, a 6-4, 6-1 winner over France’s Paul-Henri Mathieu. In the other quarterfinals, Spain’s Pablo Andujar beat second-seeded Gilles Simon of France 6-4, 7-5, and France’s Gael Monfils edged Dutchman Robin Haase 6-2, 6-3. The tournament is a warm-up event for the French Open, which starts Sunday.

HOCKEY Avalanche hire Roy as coach

Patrick Roy has been hired as coach of the Colorado Avalanche. The team said Thursday it has reached an agreement in principle with the Hall of Fame goaltender to take over as coach and vice president of hockey operations. Roy, 47, won two Stanley Cups with Colorado. He becomes the sixth coach in Avalanche history and the 14th in franchise history; the team began as the Quebec Nordiques and joined the NHL in 1979. Roy has spent the past eight seasons as coach and general manager of the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, winning the 2006 Memorial Cup. He is also a part owner of the QMJHL franchise.