In Brief

HORSE RACING

Paynter claims victory in $1 million Haskell

Paynter stormed into the lead entering the far turn and pulled away from the field to win the $1 million Haskell Invitational on Sunday at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., giving trainer Bob Baffert his third straight victory in the race and sixth overall.

Gemologist took the lead early in the 1 1/8-mile race, with Paynter on his flank through the backstretch. When they moved into the far turn, Paynter surged ahead under Rafael Bejarano and was never threatened in winning easily by 3¾ lengths. Nonios was second and Stealcase third in the field of six 3-year-old colts.

Paynter, who did not race as a 2-year-old, finished second by a neck to Union Rags in the Belmont Stakes in his previous start.

Paynter, the even-money favorite, finished in 1 minute, 48.4 seconds.

Also: Amazombie, a 6-year-old California-bred gelding, showed why he was America's champion sprinter of 2011 with a victory in the Grade 1, $300,000 Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar, Calif.

Under Mike Smith, Amazombie, the second choice at 9-5, rallied to the lead in the deep stretch and won by 1¼ lengths over even-money favorite The Factor. Amazombie covered six furlongs in 1:08.65.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Penn State prospects stick to commitments

Several top prospects who gave oral commitments to Penn State have told the team's coaches they will stick with the program, despite the sanctions handed down by the NCAA.

Offensive linemen Brendan Mahon of Randolph, N.J., and Andrew Nelson of Hershey, Pa., Philadelphia wide receiver Will Fuller, defensive end Garrett Sickels of Little Silver, N.J., and two of Bill O'Brien's most anticipated commitments - tight end Adam Breneman of Camp Hill, Pa., and quarterback Christian Hackenberg of Fork Union, Va. - visited State College on Saturday and met with Penn State coaches.

"I didn't think it was so much giving us a pitch to re-recruit us, because we were all committed," Hackenberg said. "It was more about getting us together and keeping us on the same page."

Also: Iowa running back De'Andre Johnson was suspended after two run-ins with police in the past week. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz issued a statement saying he had suspended Johnson from all team activities after learning about the sophomore's latest encounter with police.

The Cedar Rapids Gazette reported that Johnson was ticketed for speeding and eluding arrest on Saturday. Johnson reportedly drove his motorcycle 60 mph in a 25 mph zone and didn't immediately pull over.

Two days earlier, Johnson was ticketed by Iowa City police for maintaining a disorderly house after neighbors complained of a loud party at his home.

MISCELLANEOUS

Brown wins Top Fuel title at NHRA Sonoma event

Antron Brown won the Top Fuel title at the NHRA Sonoma Nationals in Sonoma, Calif., moving into position to become the first NHRA driver to twice sweep the three-race western swing.

Brown beat Spencer Massey in the final for his third victory at Sonoma, fourth victory of the season and 35th of his career. Brown finished in 3.814 seconds at 318.02 mph.

Johnny Gray (Funny Car), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) won their respective divisions.

Also: Lewis Hamilton won the Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest, finishing more than a second ahead of Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen.

Sam Querrey won the Farmers Classic for the third time in four years, routing Ricardas Berankis 6-0, 6-2 in Los Angeles. The second-seeded Querrey has won 13 straight matches in the event. He won the tournament in 2009 and 2010, then missed the event missed last year due to injury.