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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

In brief: American Pharoah to race again in Breeders’ Cup Classic

From Staff And Wire Reports

Horse racing: A few days of indecision over, Triple Crown winner American Pharoah is back on schedule for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic in New York and a chance for a magical career-ending race.

After a tough loss in the Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course last Saturday, American Pharoah’s owner Ahmed Zayat said his “gut feeling” was to retire rather than race on as planned.

On Thursday, following hours of talks with trainer Bob Baffert and the rest of Team Pharoah this week, the owner decided against retirement because “the champ deserves another chance.

“I am very confident that this is the right decision for American Pharoah,” Zayat said in a statement released to The Associated Press and several other media outlets. “He loves to race. He has provided my family, racing fans, and general sports fans with great thrills this year.”

Storm fall 3 games back in playoff race

WNBA: Odyssey Sims had 24 points and four assists to lead the visiting Tulsa Shock to an 85-67 victory over the Seattle Storm.

Seattle (9-21), which dropped three games back of Los Angeles for the final Western Conference playoff spot, rested Sue Bird. The Storm play at Chicago on Sunday before a home-and-home series with West-leading Minnesota.

Merritt beats Van Niekerk to win 400

Track and field: LaShawn Merritt won a thrilling finish in the 400 meters at the Weltklasse Zurich meet in Zurich, earning revenge for losing to Wayde van Niekerk at the world championships last month. Merritt won in 44.18 seconds, 0.10 ahead of Grenada’s Kirani James – who claimed bronze in Beijing – and 0.17 ahead of Van Niekerk, the South African who kicked too late.

Van Poppel wins 12th day at Spanish Vuelta

Cycling: Danny Van Poppel of the Netherlands won the 12th stage of the Spanish Vuelta in Lleida, Spain, in a mass sprint for the finish line, while Fabio Aru retained the overall leader’s red jersey.

Van Poppel recovered well after having to repair a punctured tire six miles from the end of the 107-mile mainly downhill ride.

Five Nebraska players suspended for opener

Miscellany: Starting linebacker Michael Rose-Ivey and co-No. 1 cornerback Jonathan Rose are among five Nebraska players suspended for Saturday’s opener against BYU.

Coach Mike Riley also announced that tight end Cethan Carter, defensive end Joe Keels and offensive lineman Robby Painter are suspended. Those three are backups.

PGA cancels Grand Slam of Golf at Trump National: The PGA of America will not hold its Grand Slam of Golf for the major champions this year.

The 36-hole exhibition was supposed to be played in October at Trump National in Los Angeles. The PGA and Donald Trump agreed that it would move away from Trump’s course after he received criticism for his remarks about Mexican immigrants.