TRACK AND FIELD

Gay completes golden triple at worlds

Tyson Gay won his third gold medal at the world championships Saturday at Osaka, Japan, matching a feat achieved only by Carl Lewis and Maurice Greene.

Allyson Felix could join that group if she is selected to run on the U.S. 1,600-meter relay team today. She got her second gold when the American women won the 4x100 relay in 41.98 seconds Saturday.

After winning the 100 and 200, Gay showed no fatigue despite nine races in eight days, running a devastating final bend to set up anchor Leroy Dixon in the U.S. victory in the 4x100 relay, which won in 37.78 seconds.

To make the U.S. night even better, Brad Walker won the pole vault by clearing 19 feet, 2 inches on his first attempt. France's Romain Mesnil took silver, jumping the same height on his second try. Germany's Danny Ecker took bronze at 19-0.

GYMNASTICS

Ponor headlines, but China leads first day

Most women start their floor exercise in the corner. Catalina Ponor of Romania struts out to the center of the arena and strikes a diva's pose.

She owns the place when she's out there, and, now that she's back, it's hard to ignore the feeling that Romania might be on its way toward owning women's gymnastics again, as well.

With Ponor's personality leading the way — to say nothing of her glittering beam routine — Romania proved itself a contender after the first day of qualifying at the world championships in Stuttgart, Germany.

The defending Olympic gold medalists finished only 1.3 points behind China, which led with 241.175 points after the first day of qualifying. The United States and Russia each compete today.

HORSE RACING

Lawyer Ron wins Woodward Stakes

Lawyer Ron pulled away in the stretch and won the $500,000 Woodward Stakes by 8 lengths at Saratoga (N.Y.) Race Course, moving to the top of the handicap division.

"I think he's arguably one of the top older horses in training," winning trainer Todd Pletcher said.

Lawyer Ron's next stop could be the Jockey Club Gold Cup, where he likely will be challenged by Preakness winner Curlin and several other top 3-year-olds.

Lawyer Ron paid $3.50, $2.60 and $2.10, while Sun King was second and returned $7.70 and $4.70. Diamond Stripes paid $3.50 to show.

Prado thrown from horse at Saratoga: Jockey Edgar Prado was thrown from his horse after a race at Saratoga Race Course, apparently injuring his ankle in the fall.

Prado, who won the 2006 Kentucky Derby aboard Barbaro, had guided Admiral Bird to a second-place finish in the seventh race, and was galloping out around the clubhouse turn when the horse was bumped by another runner.

Prado fell to the turf course, where he remained for several minutes as paramedics worked to stabilize him.

CYCLING

Bennati takes first stage of Vuelta

Italy's Daniele Bennati won the opening leg of the Spanish Vuelta at Vigo, Spain, cycling's most important race after the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia.

Bennati captured two stages of this year's Tour de France. On Saturday, the Lampre-Fondital rider sprinted ahead of the pack to finish the 95-mile course in 3 hours, 43 minutes, 9 seconds.