Heatseeker is forced to retire

What was probably the best race of Heatseeker’s career -- a dominant victory in the $250,000 Californian on May 31 -- was also his last.

The problem that caused the 5-year-old son of Giant’s Causeway to be scratched on the eve of the $250,000 Hollywood Gold Cup has led to his retirement.

The decision was made Monday because Heatseeker would need an estimated six months to recover from a ligament injury to his left foreleg, which means he would miss the $5-million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Oct. 26 at Santa Anita, the track where he won the Santa Anita Handicap on March 1.

Owned by William de Burgh and trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, Heatseeker finished with seven victories in 17 starts and earnings of $1,177,776.

-- Bob Mieszerski

HOCKEY

Sabres sign Gaustad to four-year deal

The Buffalo Sabres rewarded Paul Gaustad for his hard-hitting style, re-signing the center to a four-year, $9.2-million contract.

Gaustad, a restricted free agent, had his rights retained by the Sabres last week when they made him a minimum-salary qualifying offer.

The third-year player, Buffalo’s seventh-round draft pick in 2000, is a versatile forward who split time among the Sabres’ top three lines. Gaustad produced career highs with 10 goals, 26 assists and 36 points in 82 games.

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Colorado re-signed Adam Foote to a two-year contract and John-Michael Liles to a four-year deal. . . . The Tampa Bay Lightning signed left wing Gary Roberts to a one-year contract and forward Vinny Prospal to a multiyear deal. . . . The San Jose Sharks re-signed forward Jody Shelley to a two-year contract.

JURISPRUDENCE

Patriots’ Andrews held without bail

New England Patriots defensive back Willie Andrews was held without bail after allegedly pointing a handgun at his girlfriend’s head in Mansfield, Mass.

Andrews was arrested Monday after the alleged incident that occurred after he returned home and an argument began between him and his girlfriend, according to Gregg Miliote, director of communications for the Bristol County district attorney’s office.

Miliote said Andrews was held without bail pending the results of a hearing Thursday.

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Baltimore Ravens cornerback Derrick Martin was cited on a charge of drug abuse after police say he was found in possession of suspected marijuana at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

Martin was issued a ticket and will be sent a summons to appear in Cleveland Municipal Court on July 15.

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Georgia Tech cornerback Jerrard Tarrant has been charged with rape and has been suspended from the football team.

The alleged victim said she was raped at an on-campus dormitory April 25 and reported the incident to police that morning, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Tarrant, 19, was released Saturday on $40,000 bail.

MISCELLANY

Love III qualifies for British Open

Former PGA Championship winners Davis Love III and Rich Beem qualified for the British Open, but Steve Elkington, winner of the 1995 PGA Championship, bogeyed his final two holes and fell short.

Jeff Overton won the first North American qualifying section at the TPC of Michigan, shooting a 14-under 130 over 36 holes. Paul Goydos was the winner of the second qualifying section, held a few miles away at the Dearborn Country Club.

In qualifying in Europe, two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal and Darren Clarke, slowly returning after coping with the death of his wife two years ago, also failed to earn a spot.

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Indiana University President Michael McRobbie told the NCAA infractions committee that the hiring of ousted basketball coach Kelvin Sampson was “a risk that should not have been taken.”

McRobbie spoke to the committee during a private session on June 14. The text was released Monday by the university under a public records request.

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Midfielder Deco transferred to Chelsea from FC Barcelona, reuniting with former Portuguese national soccer team manager Luiz Felipe Scolari.