Belmont strike averted

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Saturday’s Belmont Stakes — where I’ll Have Another has a chance to win horse racing’s first Triple Crown in 34 years — should go off without a hitch now that a contentious labor dispute has been settled.

The Local 3 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers had waged a two-year war with the New York Racing Association — which was trying to control soaring overtime and health care costs — and had threatened to strike just days before the historic race.

But Gov. Cuomo called on both sides to hammer out a deal, and federal mediator David Thaler oversaw negotiations until a deal was reached early yesterday morning.

“With the potential for the nation’s first Triple Crown in more than three decades, this year’s Belmont Stakes holds particular excitement for horse racing fans here in New York and across the globe,” Cuomo said in a statement. “I am pleased that by coming together, NYRA and IBEW Local 3 have been able to forge a labor contract agreement that helps allow the much-anticipated Belmont Stakes to be held this weekend.”

Vincent McElroen, financial secretary for the union representing 150 starters and maintenance workers, said, “We’re happy that we got an agreement.”

NYRA President Ellen McClain also hailed the agreement.

“We can [now] focus exclusively on this Saturday’s Belmont Stakes and I’ll Have Another’s historic attempt to become the first Triple Crown champion since Affirmed in 1978,” she said.

Union bigs and NYRA sources had said the big race would have been run even if the workers walked out, with replacements from other tracks taking their place.

While specifics were not immediately disclosed, the administration said the deal addresses the overtime costs and concerns over soaring health care costs for both current employees and retirees.

* All 12 Belmont Stakes contenders were bedded down in the Barn 2 isolation barn by 12:04 p.m. yesterday, when I’ll Have Another was the last to arrive.

The last horse to arrive on the grounds was Union Rags, who vanned up in the morning from the Fair Hill training center in Maryland.

* Churchill Downs’s TwinSpires ADW service has credited the accounts of customers whose payouts were reduced when NYRA was skimming $8.5 million from bettors because they did not reduce the takeout on exotic wagers, as mandated by law, for 18 months.

* A liquor store on Long Island is having a “If he wins, you win” promotion. If I’ll Have Another wins the Triple Crown, buy a bottle of booze on Sunday, you get another one free.

ed.fountaine@nypost.com

Triple Crown, Triple Crown, Belmont Stakes, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, New York Racing Association, NYRA, horse racing, health care costs, David Thaler, health care

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Finger Lakes Results

FIRST-1m&70y; $9,000; cl($4,500); 3up

2

Evl's Brothr (Mrls)

30.40

8.40

3.90

1

a-Raytessa (Yang)

2.20

2.10

5

Zippy's Tiger (Sone)

2.20

* Exacta (2-1) $67.00 * Trifecta (2-1-5) $145.00

SECOND-5 1/2f; $9,000; cl($4,500); 3up

1

Cured (Ignacio)

5.90

2.90

2.70

8

Mandate (Davila,Jr.)

2.60

2.50

4

Wabash River (Henry,Jr.)

7.10

* Daily Double (2-1) $129.50 * Exacta (1-8) $14.20 * $1 Superfecta (1-8-4-2) $152.20 * Trifecta (1-8-4) $134.50

THIRD-5 1/2f; $9,000; cl($4,500); 3up; (f&m)

3

Kochr Grl (Rdrguz)

10.40

4.70

3.20

4

Bold Dixie (Sone)

3.60

2.40

1

Wheely Pink (Morales)

5.40

* Exacta (3-4) $24.80 * $1 Superfecta (3-4-1-7) $298.50 * Trifecta (3-4-1) $174.50

FOURTH-5 1/2f; $9,000; cl($4,500); 3up

5

Bstro Soree (Son)

9.00

3.60

2.40

7

Max's Beau (Alvarado)

2.60

2.10

1

a-Another Silver Oak (Lopez)

2.10

Scr: Sunday Dreamer.

* Exacta (5-7) $22.00 * Trifecta (5-7-1) $62.50

FIFTH-5 1/2f; $20,000; alw; 3up; (f&m)

3

Fr Ldy Olv (Surez)

16.40

6.10

4.40

2

Joyce's Choice (Ignacio)

3.80

3.20

9

Spanish Luck (DeDiego)

6.10

Scr: Sheza Sweet Lemon.

* Pick 4 (1-3-5-3) 4 Correct $1,276.00 * Pick 3 (3-5-3) 3 Correct $377.00 * Daily Double (5-3) $117.00 * Exacta (3-2) $57.00 * $1 Superfecta (3-2-9-7) $552.50 * Trifecta (3-2-9) $492.00

SIXTH-6f; $17,800; alw opt clm; 3up; (f&m)

3

Interrogte (Lopez)

3.30

2.20

2.10

6

Proud House (Sone)

4.30

3.40

1

Gatto Nero (Carr)

2.20

Scr: Gentle Ride.

* Daily Double (3-3) $36.40 * Exacta (3-6) $15.40 * Trifecta (3-6-1) $34.00

Winner picked by Affrunti

SEVENTH-6f; $15,500; cl($12,500); 3up

6

Le Freak (Perez)

6.00

3.20

2.40

3

Chapel Chief (Rodriguez)

3.50

2.90

2

Lateef (Rohena)

3.60

* Exacta (6-3) $21.00 * $1 Superfecta (6-3-2-4) $138.00 * Trifecta (6-3-2) $135.50

EIGHTH-6f; $17,800; alw; 3up

3

Snd On Sndy (Crr)

8.60

4.40

2.40

1

Bruce's Choice (Flores)

4.60

2.60

4

Bernstein's Friend (Rohena)

2.30

* Exacta (3-1) $29.00 * $1 Superfecta (3-1-4-2) $58.50 * Trifecta (3-1-4) $71.00

NINTH-6f; $9,000; cl($4,500); 3up

1

Pure Grit (Frates)

5.20

3.20

3.40

4

Trackmens Star (Gomez)

3.00

2.70

7

Poorpete (Suarez)

4.50

Scr: Coruscation, Doing Without, Swift to the Bid, Knockout, Twenty to Life.

* Pick 4 (3/5-6-3-1/5/8/9) 4 Correct $103.00 * Pick 3 (6-3-1) 3 Correct $96.50 * $1 Superfecta (1-4-7-2) $214.20 * Trifecta (1-4-7) $92.00 * Daily Double (3-1) $26.20 * Daily Double (3-8) $7.70 * Exacta (1-4) $13.60

Attendance unavailable.

Trifecta, Davila,Jr., Henry,Jr., Daily Double, Daily Double, Daily Double, Ignacio, cl

Nypost.com

Djokovic survives four match points to beat Tsonga at French Open

PARIS — Four times, the stands at Roland Garros were ready to erupt, a beloved Frenchman standing one point from beating the world’s top player and ending his quest for history.

Four times, Novak Djokovic had an answer for Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

And so, instead of Tsonga Time at the French Open, Djokovic is still on the road to the “Novak Slam.”

Top-seeded Djokovic overcame four match points, to say nothing of the wildly partisan crowd, for a 6-1, 5-7, 5-7, 7-6 (6), 6-1 victory over Tsonga that ended near twilight yesterday in front of drizzle-soaked stands that had quickly emptied after Tsonga’s match points vanished and the final set had become academic.

Djokovic’s win was his 26th straight in the majors.

Tsonga, the No. 5 seed, had dreams of becoming the first Frenchman to win his country’s Grand Slam event since Yannick Noah in 1983.

It was the end to a remarkable day of tennis that included third-seeded Roger Federer’s comeback from two sets down for a 3-6, 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-0, 6-3 win over No. 9 seed Juan Martin del Potro. After both the winners rest their legs, they’ll meet with a spot in the final on the line.

Djokovic’s last Grand Slam loss came against Federer in that semifinal last year — a defeat that ended the Serb’s 43-match winning streak.

If Federer does it again, he’ll set the stage for his 17th Grand Slam tournament title and his first since the 2010 Australian Open.

Djokovic, meanwhile, will try to set up a chance to join Rod Laver and Don Budge as the only men to hold all four Grand Slam titles at the same time.

Purchase US Open tickets

Novak Djokovic, Djokovic, Roger Federer, Tsonga, Yannick Noah, the French Open, match points, Juan Martin del Potro

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European Stocks Rise Ahead of ECB Decision

LONDON—Financial markets were in a buoyant mood Wednesday with the euro up against the dollar, stocks firm and euro-zone peripheral yields steady ahead of the European Central Bank's rate-setting meeting later in the day.

The benchmark Stoxx 600 Index was recently 1.7% higher at 238.64. Germany's DAX gained 1.7% to 6071.03 and France's CAC-40 was 2% higher at 3045.86. The U.K.'s FTSE 100, which reopened after the Queen's Diamond Jubilee public holiday, was 1.4% higher at 5334.27.

Although most economists have maintained their forecasts that the ECB won't change its policy response or key rate, investors were hoping for some action from the central bank as the crisis in the euro zone has worsened in recent weeks. Spain's borrowing costs have risen sharply with its banking sector looking increasingly vulnerable and there is still a big question mark over the political situation in Greece as the June 17 general election looms.

In addition, traders said the U.S. Federal Reserve may also introduce a round of fresh stimulus measures. A report in The Wall Street Journal said that disappointing economic data, weak financial markets and the continuing European crisis have made policy action at the central bank a possibility once again. However the Fed's next meeting on June 19 and 20 could be too soon for decisive action.

"The ECB is unlikely to see a rate cut as an effective response to the problems of the periphery, with any rate cut in future likely to be triggered by weakness in Germany and the rest of the 'core' countries," said Lloyds Bank. Nor does it see another long-term refinancing operation as likely at this stage.

At the same time, peripheral bond markets were fairly calm. The Spanish 10-year government bond yield was down 0.03 percentage point at 6.23% and the Italian 10-year bond yield was down 0.04 percentage point at 5.58%, reflecting the more positive mood in the financial markets.

In foreign exchanges, the euro gained against the dollar and was recently fetching $1.2499 compared with $1.2452 late Tuesday in New York.

Bank stocks were up in Europe with the Stoxx 600 Index for the sector 2.8% higher. Even German banks made some solid gains despite Moody's Investors Service lowering its investment-grade ratings on six German banks by one notch. The ratings firm pointed to increased risk of further shocks from the euro-zone sovereign crisis as the reason for the change. Moody's also lowered its investment grade ratings on Austria's three largest banks. However, Commerzbank—one of the banks that was downgraded—was up 2.9%. The move by Moody's is part of its continuing review of over 100 European banks so it was anticipated by the markets.

Despite the "risk on" tone, the results of a German debt auction implied that investors are still wary. The German government sold €3.978 billion of five-year federal notes, or Bobl, and raised the money at record-low borrowing costs for this maturity segment, with an average yield of 0.41%. "Today's good results for the five-year German auction clearly show that market dealers remain in a very cautious mode ahead of the ECB meeting later today," said Newedge. "Despite the increase in yields since early this morning, mainly led by profit-taking, today's German auction shows interest in safe-haven paper. Markets are still pricing in risks of a euro breakup and today's auction is a clear sign that dealers are still worried about it."

Meanwhile, data out of Germany were nothing to cheer about and seemed to suggest that even the euro zone's strongest economy has fallen prey to the region's debt crisis. German industrial production fell 2.2% in April, following an increase of 2.2% in March, and against expectations of a more modest drop of 1%. "The German economy's immunity against the euro-zone sovereign debt crisis is clearly fading away," said ING. "For the time being, it is a stabilization at a high level. However, the latest data clearly indicate that Germany isn't an economic island. The debt crisis has finally reached the German economy."

Among commodities, the July Nymex crude futures contract was up $1.03 at $85.32 and the July Brent futures contract was up $1.12 at $99.96. Spot gold was $17.80 higher at $1,634.80. The September bund was down 0.59 points at 144.27.

The ECB's rate announcement is at 0745 ET and a news conference hosted by the ECB's president Mario Draghi follows at 0830 GMT.

U.S. stock futures were pointing to an equally upbeat session on Wall Street, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average front month futures contract up 0.9% at 12236 and S&P 500 futures contract 1.1% higher at 1298.9.

Write to Michele Maatouk at michele.maatouk@dowjones.com and Andrea Tryphonides at andrea.tryphonides@dowjones.com

SmartMoney Glossary:

ECB, ECB, ECB, European Central Bank, Germany, Germany, Germany, financial markets, Moody's Investors Service, The Wall Street Journal, German auction, Queen's Diamond Jubilee

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Young to start for Mets tonight against Nationals

Chris Young wants it to be business as usual tonight, but understands that might not be possible.

“I’ll try not to get caught up in the emotion of it, but certainly it will be rewarding to be out there,” said Young, who is slated to make his return from shoulder surgery tonight when the Mets open a three-game series at Washington.

BOX SCORE

Thirteen months removed from surgery to repair a torn anterior capsule — the same procedure that sidelined Johan Santana for all of last year — Young is filling a need in the Mets’ rotation.

The veteran right-hander will be activated, along with Miguel Batista, helping the Mets give Santana extra rest after his 134-pitch no-hitter on Friday against the Cardinals.

Jeremy Hefner will start tomorrow, but when the smoke clears the final available spot in the rotation will belong to Young, whom general manager Sandy Alderson signed to a minor league contract during spring training with the idea he could provide depth to a thin rotation.

“My arm is not like it was when I was 25 and I can’t expect it to be,” Young said. “But I know how to pitch. I’m going to be as prepared and confident going out on the mound and hopefully that stuff will help and the results will take care of themselves.”

* Jon Niese, who left Sunday’s start with an elevated heart rate, has been cleared to resume pitching, but said he will have a procedure during the All-Star break he hopes will correct the problem.

Niese plans to undergo Ablation — a procedure in which a catheter is inserted into the heart to treat the irregular heartbeat. The lefty said he would be treated as an outpatient, but because the recovery takes about three days, he would prefer waiting until the All-Star break to undergo the treatment.

Last season, Niese left early from a start at Texas with an elevated heart rate and wore a monitor for his subsequent appearance. Niese said that is not necessary in this instance.

* The Mets originally planned to activate Jason Bay for tonight’s game, but Bay was sick yesterday, forcing him to skip his scheduled start in the outfield for Single-A St. Lucie — his final hurdle in returning from the rib fracture that has kept him sidelined since April 24.

mpuma@nypost.com

Chris Young, Mets, Johan Santana, the Mets, The Mets, Jon Niese, shoulder surgery, Miguel Batista, Sandy Alderson

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Affrunti’s Delaware Grade

FIRST-5 1/2f; $12,000; mdn cl($10,000); 3up; (f&m)

4-I'm Done

7-5

2-Chris's Girl

10-1

6-Rebecca Mia

4-1

5-Notta Car

12-1

3-Delonix

9-2

7-GremeHllBelle

15-1

1-Raven's Special

6-1

8-Avie Atress

15-1

SECOND-5 1/2f; $12,000; cl($6,250); 3up

1-St John'sGospel

3-1

3-Brassy Boy

4-1

5-Quarters

2-1

4-Bold Cat

10-1

6-Please Sir

8-1

7-Devl'sWeekend

8-1

2-TempestDNeve

6-1

THIRD-1m&70y; $13,000; cl($10,000); 3up

4-We Are Due

9-5

3-Private Notice

12-1

7-Poppy Cat

15-1

5-Woodburner

15-1

2-Uncle Todd

6-5

6-Warrensburg

9-2

1-Ferber

15-1

FOURTH-7 1/2f; $18,000; cl($30,000); 3up; (f&m)

4-Rakehellish

15-1

5-Great Motion

12-1

7-EmbracngHerts

5-2

6-Youcancntnme

8-1

1-Nekia's Vow

7-2

8-MarchingHme

15-1

2-Kukosa

12-1

9-Our Gin Mill

5-1

3-At First Light

20-1

10-Feels Good

6-1

FIFTH-6f; $18,000; mdn cl($20,000); 3up

4-Chasing Gold

2-1

5-Deridder

8-1

1-Kay One

3-1

6-Slap Happy

10-1

2-Crow Bar

8-1

7-Private Union

4-1

3-Mr. Mirage

6-1

SIXTH-6f; $40,000; alw opt clm; 4up

1-It'sNevertLte

6-1

3-FledWthWnde

10-1

4-Guam Typhoon

2-1

5-Kens Cape

3-1

7-Diski Dance

4-1

6-Broad Rule

8-1

2-PrimeObjective

8-1

1a-Homeboykris

6-1

SEVENTH-1m(T); $32,000; mdn spcl wt; 3up; (f&m)

8-Storm Palm

7-2

5-Style Show

6-1

9-Lovely Stay

9-2

6-Hard Hat

12-1

1-Life's Candy

5-1

7-Nokaze

10-1

2-Nisbet

12-1

10-QckstpMeldy

12-1

3-Slam Bid

15-1

11-SmethngShny

10-1

4-LuckyLdyLwyer

6-1

EIGHTH-6f; $38,000; alw; 3up; (f&m)

2-Kinginthecity

4-1

4-DespinsDesre

10-1

1-AppealingStella

3-1

5-MnsterSleepn

10-1

8-Spinning Lady

2-1

6-Cabo Time

6-1

3-QueenChatnk

10-1

7-HeavenlyChoir

12-1
Nypost.com

Gupta protg testifies

Disgraced Goldman Sachs director Rajat Gupta sat with his hands folded in a Manhattan federal courtroom yesterday, watching his former protégé and friend testify against him.

It was an awkward moment when Anil Kumar, 53, arrived to face his former mentor, who is on trial for insider trading.

Kumar worked with Gupta at consulting firm McKinsey, which Gupta headed from 1994 to 2003.

The duo are also credited with founding the prestigious Indian School of Business, which they helped to build from scratch in the late 1990s.

But yesterday afternoon, that once-warm friendship was long cold.

The Mumbai-born business consultant took the stand as a government witness and told the jury that Gupta fed hedge-fund honcho Raj Rajaratnam illegal stock tips while serving on the boards of Goldman and Procter & Gamble.

Gupta has pleaded not guilty and faces up to 25 years if convicted.

Kumar told the jury that Gupta’s ties to Rajaratnam’s hedge fund, Galleon Group, went back to 2006 when he was thinking of launching an asset management firm ahead of his 2007 retirement from McKinsey.

Kumar said Gupta often discussed his plans with Rajaratnam and that the two of them worked on many different plans to build a fund together — most of which never worked out.

Kumar, who has pleaded guilty for tipping Rajaratnam about chip maker AMD, also said he never witnessed Gupta spilling the beans to Rajaratnam on Goldman or P&G.

kwhitehouse@nypost.com

Anil Kumar, Raj Rajaratnam, McKinsey, Goldman Sachs, Indian School of Business, Gupta, Galleon Group

Nypost.com