A federal judge on Tuesday tentatively barred two of eight ex-track and field stars from testifying against their former coach Trevor Graham during his trial on false statement charges later this month.

Graham has pleaded not guilty to lying to federal investigators when he told them that he never obtained performance enhancing drugs from Angel Heredia, a Texas weight trainer expected to serve as the government's star witness.

U.S. District Court Judge Susan Illston said federal prosecutors in San Francisco can't call sprinters Michelle Collins and Calvin Harrison to the witness stand because neither appeared able to provide a direct link between Graham and Heredia.

Six other former Graham clients are scheduled to testify, including Olympic gold medalist Antonio Pettigrew, who is expected to tell jurors that he used drugs bought from Heredia with Graham's knowledge, according to prosecutors' filings last week.

The judge said prosecutors can try to change her mind during the trial, which is scheduled to start May 19.

  • Magistrate Judge F. Bradford Stillman denied bond for Tim Montgomery on federal heroin distribution charges. Montgomery pleaded not guilty in Norfolk, Va., and requested a jury trial, which the judge set for July 9. The former 100-meter world-record holder was arrested last week on an indictment accusing him of dealing more than 100 grams of heroin. Stillman said Montgomery is a flight risk and a danger to the community, noting he's accused of
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    dealing heroin to a government informant in Virginia after pleading guilty in a New York-based check-kiting conspiracy. He's to be sentenced May 16 in that case. Montgomery, who won a gold medal in the 400 relay at the 2000 Olympics, retired in December 2005 after he was banned for two years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport for doping linked to the BALCO investigation.

    HORSE RACING

    The trainer of Eight Belles is certain the filly was never on steroids and has ordered tests to prove it. Larry Jones said he wanted to dispel any suggestion the Kentucky Derby runner-up was on performance-enhancing drugs. Eight Belles was euthanized after breaking both front ankles Saturday, a quarter-mile after the finish at Churchill Downs. At this point, Derby horses aren't tested for steroids. But that might soon change because of increased pressure from inside and outside the industry for racing to develop stricter drug regulations.

    TENNIS

    Serena Williams won her 16th straight match, beating Francesca Schiavone 6-2, 6-3 in the second round of the German Open in Berlin. Williams is chasing her fourth straight WTA title. Her last loss came against Jelena Jankovic in the Australian Open quarterfinals.

  • Roger Federer routed Guillermo Canas 6-3, 6-3 in the second round of the Rome Masters. Also, Andy Roddick beat Mardy Fish 6-1, 6-4.

    SOCCER

    The New York Red Bulls signed defender Andrew Boyens and placed midfielder Michael Palacio (knee) on the MLS' season-ending injury list. Boyens was waived by Toronto FC on April 14.

    MOTOR SPORTS

    The Indianapolis Motor Speedway had its busiest opening day of Indy 500 practice in nearly a decade. Marco Andretti had the best lap at 226.599. Danica Patrick, Andretti's teammate with Andretti Green Racing, had a lap of 224.095, ninth best at the 21/2-mile oval.

  • Aguri Suzuki, head of Formula One's Super Aguri, said his Japanese team will withdraw from the remainder of the season. The team, struggling financially since its debut in 2006, held talks with its backer Honda on Friday to discuss the future. Super Aguri, with drivers Takuma Sato and Anthony Davidson, hasn't scored a point in four races this season.

    GOLF

    Del Rio's Jeff Burda ran away with the NCGA Senior Championship, beating Gary Vanier by 10 shots at Saddle Creek Resort in Copperpolis. Burda closed with a 3-under 69 for a 9-under 135 total.