In brief: Big Brown takes track on repaired hoof

Big Brown was back on the track a day earlier than expected.

The Triple Crown hopeful took a 11/2-mile jog around Belmont Park In New York on a rainy Tuesday morning. It was the first time since Friday that Big Brown was out exercising following the discovery of a quarter crack on the inside of his left front hoof.

Big Brown will attempt to become the first Triple Crown champion in 30 years, since Affirmed in 1978, in the Belmont Stakes on June 7.

On Monday, hoof specialist Ian McKinlay treated the three-quarter inch crack, stitching it with stainless steel wire.

A quarter crack is common and not serious. Healing can range from a few days to a few months, depending on the severity of the crack. McKinlay compared a quarter crack to a person splitting a finger nail that goes up through the cuticle.

Courts

Graham case to jury

Track coach Trevor Graham orchestrated a doping scheme for his elite track athletes and lied to federal investigators about his role in it, the prosecution said in closing arguments of Graham’s trial in San Francisco.

The defense officially rested its case outside the presence of the jury without calling a witness.

Graham is accused with three counts of lying to federal investigators in June 2004. Football

Johnson back on field

The Kansas City Chiefs went 4-12 while running back Larry Johnson, who’d signed a $45 million contract, sat out with a broken foot.

Johnson practiced outdoors three days last week. The highest paid player in franchise history said he was “100 percent.”

“The Denver Broncos agreed to a one-year deal with former Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Michael Pittman.

“The Washington Redskins acquired defensive end Erasmus James from Minnesota for a conditional seventh-round draft pick.

Basketball

Rivers jumps to Indiana

Georgetown guard Jeremiah Rivers, the son of Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers, will transfer to Indiana.

“Former St. John’s coach Mike Jarvis was introduced as the men’s coach at Florida Atlantic.

“Idaho State University has named Seton Sobolewski the new women’s basketball coach. Sobolewski was an assistant at Cal-Riverside for the past six seasons.

Miscellany

Wie to try German Open

Michelle Wie will make her first appearance in a full Ladies European Tour field at this week’s German Open in Munich. The 18-year-old American was given a sponsor’s invitation to the event.

“Soccer’s governing body suspended its ban on international matches at high altitude, allowing Bolivia to host World Cup qualifiers at La Paz.

“Rose Mattioli said her family has no plans to sell Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa.