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Belmont contender pulls out

NEW YORK - Atswhatimtalknbout has an injured right front hoof and won't run in the Belmont Stakes.

Trainer Ron Ellis said the 3-year-old colt developed a second quarter crack Thursday, a day after working a mile in a slow time of 1:46.80 at Churchill Downs.

"Luckily, he came out of the work perfect," Ellis said. "I just don't want to press him and have something else spring up because he was protecting that foot."

A fast-closing fourth in the Kentucky Derby, Atswhatimtalknbout skipped the Preakness and was considered among the top challengers to Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide.

Funny Cide will attempt to win the Belmont on June 7 and become the 12th Triple Crown champion.

Atswhatimtalknbout developed an abscess last week that turned into a quarter crack, a crack between the toe and heel. The quarter crack was patched, but after the workout, another crack began forming.

"The foot's just not stable," Ellis said. "The right thing to do is to take him home and let the foot heal up. It's disappointing, but his better days are in front of him."

MORE BELMOMT: Team Valor president Barry Irwin said Colita, an allowance winner at Belmont on May 21, will not compete.

FIRE CALLED ARSON: Arson caused a fire that killed 34 horses at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto in August, the Ontario Fire Marshal's office said. No one has been charged, and an investigation is ongoing. The fire tore through a barn complex that housed 192 horses at the racetrack in the early morning of Aug. 4. Total damage was estimated at $3.2-million.

Dick Pound, the head of the World Anti-Doping Agency, said it might have to cut antidrug programs after receiving only 25 percent of its $20.2-million budget for 2003. Possible measures against governments that don't pay include not allowing the national flag to be flown at opening, closing and medal ceremonies. Pound cited the United States, Canada, Britain, Spain, Italy and France for not paying. Brian Blake, a spokesman for the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy, said the government will pay in the fall after Congress approves the budget.

FIELD HOCKEY: Australia's women qualified for the 2004 Games with a 2-0 victory against New Zealand.

IBF cruiserweight champion James Toney has paid more than $100,000 in back child support he owed for his 10-year-old daughter. Toney was arrested Tuesday on charges he failed to pay $103,370.39 in child support for his daughter living near Detroit. He spent two nights in jail.

LEWIS UNCONCERNED: Lennox Lewis has not fought for more than a year but expects that to help in his title fight against Kirk Johnson on June 21. "If I was 21, 22 or 23 and I took a year off, it would be detrimental because I would be out partying," he said. "At this age, it was a much-needed time off. It gave me a chance to heal some nagging wounds."

FAN BEHAVIOR: A Chicago City Council panel late Wednesday endorsed calls for a $1,000 fine and as much as six months in jail for anyone who steps onto the field, court, rink or pool of any facility with more than 3,000 seats. The measure also applies to people who fight in the stands. The full council could consider the proposal Wednesday. Fans have attacked a Royals coach and umpire during White Sox games in the past year.

CYCLING: Gilberto Simoni moved closer to winning the Giro d'Italia by finishing second to Dario Frigo in a stage in Valle Varaita. Simoni leads Stefano Garzelli by 7 minutes, 8 seconds with three stages left.