The Millrose Games has a well-earned reputation as the world’s best indoor track meet, but tonight’s meet – highlighted by Maurice Greene’s return, Terrence Trammell’s double [60M dash and hurdles], and record-breakers Regina Jacobs and Stacy Dragila – may be among the best in the Garden’s history.
In all, 87 world records have been set at Millrose, and the live ESPN2 audience might see another one tonight. Greene rarely takes a back seat to anybody in speed or trash-talking, but the ladies are poised to steal the show, especially if Jacobs can overcome injury.
Despite a right adductor muscle pull, the 39-year-old ran a 3:59.98 1,500M Saturday in Boston to break Doina Melinte’s world record of 4:00.27. With a four-year winning streak in the Garden, Jacobs is heavily-favored in the Fred Lebow women’s mile – if her leg holds up.
“It’s 50-50 I’m going to run,” Jacobs said. “Last weekend was exciting. When you set a record like that, it’s great to look down and see what kind of company you’re keeping. And to be doing it at 39, they say if it’s worth working for, it’s worth waiting for.
“When I got back from Europe [last year] I was frustrated because I felt like the last two years I haven’t been living up to the level of talent I have. If I were to end my career like that I would’ve perceived it as a real disappointment. I told my coach I’m going to train harder and I’m going to race harder.”
Even if Jacobs can’t run, pole vaulter Dragila is always a contender to shatter records. She was named Millrose’s Outstanding Performer last year for setting the world record, since broken by Russian Svetlana Feofanova while Dragila was nursing an injured left foot. Healthy again, Dragila vaulted 15-5½ in Boston to break her own U.S. mark.
Still, for all the recordsetters, the only event featuring No. 1 vs. No. 2 in the world is the women’s 60M hurdles. Three-time world indoor champ Gail Devers faces Jamaican Brigitte Foster – ranked No. 2 last year – and four-time U.S. indoor champ Melissa Morrison.
Dragila wasn’t the only U.S. star to lose a world record while injured. Greene missed extended training time, lost strength and – despite winning the U.S. 100-meter title – had to watch as Tim Montgomery broke his world 100M record during a disappointing spring.
“When [Montgomery] ran that, I just laughed. I’m just glad I’m still in the sport and I’m healthy. I know I can run faster. I’ll have [the record] back. It’s on loan to him,” said Green, who also suffered through three deaths in the family and a split with sponsor Nike.
“I went through a lot, mental, family, going through contract negotiations, things I hadn’t ever dealt with in life. Now things are getting back to normal.”
Now he’s as healthy and hungry as he was when he set the world 60-meter record. He’ll face a tough field that includes defending champ Shawn Crawford, Jon Drummond, Justin Gatlin and Trammell, who’ll also run the hurdles to try an unprecedented double in the span of 25 minutes.
Another star to keep an eye on is defending vault champ Jeff Hartwig, who broke the U.S. indoor record three times last winter.
LEWIS’ PICK BOX
Women’s high jump 5:40 p.m.
Tisha Waller
Amy Acuff
Lynn Houston
Men’s 60m hurdles 7:05 p.m
Terrence Trammell
Allen Johnson
Larry Wade
Women’s 60 hurdles 7:15 p.m.
Gail Devers
Briggitte Foster (Jamaica)
Melissa Morrison
Men’s 60m 7:35 p.m.
Maurice Green
Shawn Crawford
Justin Gatlin
Fred Lebow
Women’s Mile 9:30 p.m.
Regina Jacobs
Lyudmila Vasileyva (Russia)
Geraldine Hendricken (Ireland)
Wanamaker Mile 10 p.m.
Bernard Lagat (Kenya)
Laban Rotich (Kenya)
Noah Ngeny (Kenya)