HORSE RACING
Pharoah stretches legs
American Pharoah coasted through a half-mile workout in 48.80 seconds on Tuesday at Del Mar in California. It was his final serious exercise for Sunday's $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park in New Jersey, which will be his first race since his 5 1/2-length runaway June 6 in the Belmont Stakes. An estimated 300 to 400 fans gave him an ovation as he passed the finish line Tuesday. The long-striding bay colt went his final furlong in a quick 11.60 seconds for his regular work rider, jockey Martin Garcia. "That's all he needs," trainer Bob Baffert said. "He went really nice. It's a soft, deep track, pretty demanding. I think he'll get a lot out of it." The 3-year-old superstar is scheduled to arrive about 1 p.m. Central time today at Atlantic City International Airport before a police escort will lead him north on the Garden State Parkway to Monmouth. American Pharoah is scheduled to gallop between 7:30 and 7:50 a.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Baffert has won a record seven Haskells, including the 2012 edition with Paynter, who like Pharoah belonged to owner-breeder Ahmed Zayat. A field of six is expected to be entered at Thursday's draw. On Monday, Justin Zayat, his father's racing manager, said if American Pharoah came out of the Haskell well, "I would see no reason that he shouldn't run in the Travers" Aug. 29 at Saratoga. Baffert didn't want to get into that. "As for his next race, we'll assess and see what he does," Baffert said. "I don't want to look beyond the Haskell."
TENNIS
Nadal wins 1st round
Top-seeded Rafael Nadal overcame a sluggish start to beat Fernando Verdasco 3-6, 6-1, 6-1 in the first round of the Hamburg Open on Tuesday. Nadal was playing his first match since losing to Dustin Brown in the second round of Wimbledon. The former No. 1 in the world has fallen to No. 10. In the all-Spanish match, Nadal appeared to have trouble adjusting to clay and finding his timing. But his game picked up noticeably in the last two sets. Verdasco saved one match point but then hit the net with a backhand to hand Nadal the victory. Nadal's last match on clay was the quarterfinal loss to Novak Djokovic at the French Open. Tuesday's match was played under the court's canvas cover because of rain. Second-seeded Tommy Robredo also needed three sets to advance, rallying for a 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-2 victory over wild card entry Alexander Zverev. Third-seeded Roberto Bautista Agut, fourth-seeded Andreas Seppi and sixth-seeded Juan Monaco all advanced into the second round.
Two-time Swiss Open champion Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil eased to a 6-2, 6-3 first-round victory over Kimmer Coppejans on Tuesday at Gstaad, Switzerland. The left-handed Bellucci, who won the Gstaad clay-court title in 2009 and 2012, dominated on serve against the 21-year-old from Belgium. Two former champions lost first-round matches: 2013 champion Mikhail Youzhny of Russia exited 6-1, 6-2 against seventh-seeded Pablo Carreno of Spain, and 2011 winner Marcel Granollers of Spain lost 1-6, 7-6 (1), 6-4 to Robin Haase of the Netherlands. Eighth-seeded Santiago Giraldo of Colombia beat Italian Paolo Lorenzi 6-3, 6-2. There were straight-sets victories for Stephane Robert of France against Brazilian Joao Souza, and Turkey’s Marsel Ilhan against Russian Andrey
• The first stop of Mardy Fish's farewell tour ended quickly with a 6-4, 6-4 first-round loss to Dudi Sela in the Atlanta Open on Tuesday night. Fish, 33, said it was a success just to play only his second competitive match of the year. He recently announced he will retire after the U.S. Open, and he also disclosed details of his battles with anxiety disorder. Fish, who won the Atlanta tournament in 2010 and 2011, also will play doubles this week with his friend Andy Roddick, who is taking a break from his retirement.
Kuznetsov. Julian Reister, a German qualifier, advanced after losing the first set when Serbian opponent Blaz Kavcic retired with an injury.
SOCCER
Mexican coach fired
Embattled Mexican national soccer team coach Miguel Herrera was fired Tuesday following a TV reporter's claim that the coach known as "El Piojo" punched him. Decio de Maria, who on Saturday became president of the Mexican Soccer Federation, said the incident was not in keeping with "the spirit of fair and respectful competition" that the organization espouses. The incident involving Herrera and Television Azteca's Christian Martinoli took place Monday at the Philadelphia airport as the team prepared to return to Mexico following its 3-1 victory over Jamaica in the Concacaf Gold Cup championship match. Martinoli accused Herrera of hitting him in the neck and then threatening him. The journalist has been a tough critic of Herrera, as have many Mexican fans and pundits disappointed with the team's performance. Mexico advanced to the final after winning two knockout-round matches with the help of controversial late penalties. Herrera, whose affectionate nickname is Spanish for "The Louse," is well known for his exuberant sideline displays at last year's World Cup in Brazil.
• Michel Platini will run for FIFA president and plans to announce his intentions this week. Two officials familiar with Platini's plans have told The Associated Press that the FIFA vice president has made a decision to try to succeed Sepp Blatter. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because Platini has not announced his candidacy. The officials said that the UEFA president and former French great has been encouraged to run by most leaders of FIFA's continental confederations. Five of the six continental leaders, including Platini, were in St. Petersburg, Russia, last week for FIFA meetings and the 2018 World Cup qualifying draw. Platini declined to discuss his ambitions when asked by the AP in St. Petersburg. The FIFA election is Feb. 26 and would-be candidates must apply by Oct. 26. Platini is set to be the first serious contender to announce he will stand, two months after Blatter was re-elected for a fifth four-year term.
GOLF
Pair indicted for theft
Authorities say the son and ex-daughter-in-law of late black golfing pioneer Charlie Sifford have been indicted on charges related to the theft of more than $1 million from him. Craig and Sandra Sifford were charged Tuesday with theft, money laundering and unauthorized use of property. The Cuyahoga County, Ohio, prosecutor's office said they spent Sifford's money on travel, dining, clothes, jewelry and landscaping. The prosecutor's office said an investigation into the thefts was ongoing when Sifford died in February at age 92. Sifford became the first black golfer to earn full-time playing privileges on the PGA Tour in 1961. Authorities had received a complaint saying Craig Sifford was abusing a power of attorney for his father. Craig and Sandra Sifford are divorced. His attorney hasn't returned a message seeking comment. A home phone number listed for them rang unanswered.
Sports on 07/29/2015