HORSE RACING

Orb is the favorite for Belmont Stakes, despite fourth-place finish in Preakness

Back home again, Kentucky Derby winner Orb is the horse to beat in the Belmont Stakes.

Orb was made the 3-1 morning-line favorite in a field of 14 entered for Saturday’s final leg of the Triple Crown at Belmont Park, and trainer Shug McGaughey is confident his colt can bounce back from his fourth-place finish behind Oxbow in the Preakness.

Orb drew the No. 5 post Wednesday, with Oxbow two gates over in No. 7. Revolutionary, one of trainer Todd Pletcher’s record five entries, is the second choice at 9-2. Oxbow is next at 5-1.

FOOTBALL

NFL: Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger underwent what Coach Mike Tomlin called “minor” surgery to deal with lingering discomfort in his right knee.

The 31-year-old Roethlisberger, who will miss next week’s minicamp, is expected to return when Pittsburgh opens training camp in July.

• The Dallas Cowboys re-signed safety Eric Frampton and waived defensive tackle Robert Callaway.

• The Tennessee Titans agreed to terms with third-round pick Zaviar Gooden, a linebacker from Missouri.

• The Jacksonville Jaguars are making plans to honor a paralyzed football player who died Wednesday, three weeks after his last visit to the facility and just before beginning an internship with the team.

J.T. Townsend, paralyzed from the neck down during a high school game in 2004, spent countless hours getting to know Jaguars players over the years.

Townsend attended practice May 15, visiting with players and then ate lunch with the team. The Jaguars had agreed to hire the 26-year-old as an intern, giving him a chance to work as a graphic designer and help create game-day programs.

CYCLING

CRITERIUM DU DAUPHINE: German rider Tony Martin won the fourth stage while Rohan Dennis of Australia took the overall lead at Parc des Oiseaux, France.

Christopher Froome was third, 2:45 ahead of Alberto Contador, a two-time Tour de France winner.

Froome, the runner-up behind Bradley Wiggins at last year’s Tour de France, moved to second place overall.

DOPING FALLOUT: American cycling apparel firm DeFeet said it has severed ties with Italian team Vini Fantini after two Giro riders tested positive for doping.

SOCCER

WPSL: Allyson Swaby scored in the 52nd minute, giving Connecticut’s CFC Passion a 2-1 win over the Seacoast United Mariners in a Women’s Premier Soccer League game at Lewiston.

Ode Fulutudilu scored in the 42nd minute for the Mariners, assisted by Stephanie Gilkenson. Kamika Forbes made 18 saves.

U.S. WOMEN: Star goalkeeper Hope Solo makes her return to the U.S. roster after fully recovering from left wrist surgery as Coach Tom Sermanni picks 23 players for games against South Korea.

Solo will be available for both matches, her first time back with the U.S. women since February. The Americans will play South Korea on June 15 in Foxborough, Mass., and five days later in Harrison, N.J.

–From staff and news services

 

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