One-horse town

Funny Cide crew arrives at New York's West Cide

NEW YORK (AP) -- The best athlete in town these days doesn't wear pinstripes. He wears a saddle, and his name is Funny Cide, winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.

New York has turned into a one-horse town, its imagination captured by a 3-year-old with a swagger and a sweet stride. A win in the Belmont Stakes on June 7, and Funny Cide will join racing's greatest champions as the 12th Triple Crown winner and first since Affirmed in 1978.

"He won the two big road games, one in Kentucky and one in Maryland, and it's going to be a great day when a New York-bred, a hometown hero, comes to Belmont Park," Bill Nader, senior vice president for the New York Racing Association, said at a news conference at a Manhattan restaurant honoring Funny Cide and his connections.

Funny Cide will attempt to become the first New York-bred and first gelding to sweep the Triple Crown. His owners, a group of high school buddies from upstate New York, stand to collect a $5 million bonus from Visa USA if Funny Cide wins the 2.4-kilometer (1.5-mile) "Test of the Champion."

"It's pretty fabulous," trainer Barclay Tagg said. "It's a wonderful experience you dream about. It's a gift from heaven. Unimaginable."

The Funny Cide crew was out in force. Jockey Jose Santos was there, along with assistant trainer Robin Smullen, Sackatoga Stable general partner Jack Knowlton, and three of the other nine owners. All expressed confidence Funny Cide could complete the sweep that eight other horses failed to do since Affirmed.

"There will be some new horses, some that are well bred for that kind of distance," Tagg said. "I think I'm holding a pretty good hand going into it. I don't think I'd trade with any of them right now -- but I am cautious about it."

Empire Maker poses perhaps the biggest threat to Funny Cide. The beaten Derby favorite skipped the Preakness and trainer Bobby Frankel will be out to spoil Funny Cide's Triple Crown try with his talented 3-year-old, who owns a win over Funny Cide in the Wood Memorial.

After Empire Maker worked six furlongs in 1:12 at Belmont Park on Tuesday, Frankel pronounced his colt "fit."

"There is no more fooling around," Frankel said. "I've taken it too easy with him. This race, we have to get much more serious. The Belmont Stakes is where I find out what he's made of."

Atswhatimtalknbout, a fast-closing fourth in the Derby, is preparing for another shot at Funny Cide. The colt worked six furlongs in 1:16.20 at Churchill Downs on Tuesday, but won't arrive in town until a few days before the Belmont.

Other Belmont possibles are Midway Road and Scrimshaw, second- and third-place finishers in the Preakness, Ten Most Wanted, ninth in the Derby, Ten Cents a Shine (eighth, Derby; ninth, Preakness), Lone Star Derby winner Dynever, Most Feared and Outta Here (seventh, Derby).

"I thought the Preakness would be the most difficult, but the Belmont will be tough because of the fresh faces and all the best jocks will be trying to beat me," Santos said. "I have plenty of confidence in Funny Cide and the way he has been running I think he will do it again."

Santos, from Concepcion, Chile, said he received a letter of congratulations from the country's president.

"I was very happy about that," said Santos, who is scheduled to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Yankee Stadium next Tuesday, when the Yankees play the Boston Red Sox.

 

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