Miscellany

American Steve Johnston won a split decision over Hiroyuki Sakamoto at Yokohama, Japan, successfully defending his WBC lightweight title in his first defense of the title he won in March.

In another 12-rounder at Yokohama Arena, Antonio Cermeno of Venezuela knocked out Japan’s Yuichi Kasai in the final round and retained his WBA junior featherweight crown.

Northern Afleet edged Benchmark by a length in the $160,300 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar, Calif.

Northern Afleet, ridden by Chris McCarron, was followed by Benchmark and New Century.

Fabulously Fast, ridden by Jerry Bailey, lived up to his name by beating Aldiza by 5 lengths in the $250,000 Test Stakes at Saratoga in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Pearl City was third.

Blushing K.D., one of the thoroughbred racing’s top 3-year-old fillies, fractured both sesamoid bones in her left foreleg while galloping at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J.

The leg will be examined this morning, and will be placed in a cast if there is not a lot of tissue damage.

No. 1 Jose Loiola and Kent Steffes and No. 2 Brian Lewis and Randy Stoklos were eliminated during the second day of competition at the $300,000 Miller Lite U.S. Volleyball Championships at the Hermosa Beach, Calif., Pier.

Loiola and Steffes, winners of 11 of 17 events this season, were sent home early after dropping a 14-12 heartbreaker to No. 13 Eduardo Bacil and Brian Gatzke.

Earlier, a key five-point run helped Loiola and Steffes eliminate Lewis and Stoklos after trailing 4-1.