Will Funny Cide win the Triple Crown?

coleslaw · 06-04-2003, 12:01 PM

From ESPN:

Quote:

Six entered in Belmont Stakes

NEW YORK -- Funny Cide was made the even-money favorite to win the Belmont Stakes on Saturday and become the first Triple Crown champion since Affirmed in 1978.

The Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner will take on five challengers in the 1 1/2 -mile Belmont, one less than expected after Best Minister was withdrawn with a cough just before Wednesday's post position draw.

The six-horse field is the smallest since 1994, when Tabasco Cat won. Affirmed defeated four rivals in his Belmont victory.

"It's a very small field this time, but anything can happen when they open up the door," Funny Cide jockey Jose Santos said. "But I am confident we can win."

Funny Cide, trying to become the first gelding to win the Triple Crown, will leave from the No. 4 gate. But post position means little in the longest race in the series.

Empire Maker, the beaten favorite in the Kentucky Derby, was made the 6-5 second choice by Belmont oddsmaker Don LaPlace. The 3-year-old colt trained by Bobby Frankel skipped the Preakness and has been training well for the Belmont.

"I'm real anxious waiting for this race," Frankel said. "I think Empire Maker is dead-fit for this race.

"Funny Cide is a tough horse, though. He breaks out of the gate and he goes."

Dynever, winner of the Lone Star Derby and new to the Triple Crown trail, was the third choice at 5-1. Also entered were Ten Most Wanted (10-1), Scrimshaw (20-1) and Supervisor (50-1).

Empire Maker, who defeated Funny Cide in the Wood Memorial on April 12, drew the rail.

"Empire Maker has probably been the favorite most of his life," regular rider Jerry Bailey said. "So if he's the underdog it won't be by much and it won't matter once the gate opens."

The last Belmont favorite who was even money or better was Real Quiet in 1997. The Derby and Preakness winner went off at 4-5 and lost his Triple Crown bid by a nose to Victory Gallop.

Best Minister is trained by Ken McPeek, who saddled last year's Belmont winner, Sarava, a 70-1 shot. McPeek said the colt wasn't eating well and coughed after a morning gallop.

"In this game, timing is everything, and unfortunately this is very poor timing," McPeek said.

Belmont Stakes 135 Field
Purse: $1,000,000; 1 1/2 miles
Post Horse Jockey Trainer Odds
1 Empire Maker J. Bailey R. Frankel 6-5
2 Supervisor J. Velazquez L. Rice 50-1
3 Scrimshaw G. Stevens D.W. Lukas 20-1
4 Funny Cide J. Santos B. Tagg Even
5 Dynever E. Prado C. Clement 5-1
6 Ten Most Wanted P. Day W. Dollase 10-1

Funny Cide against 5 other horses? A horse out with a cough?? I can definitely see why he is at even money now.

It would be great to see this horse pull it off. There hasn't been a Triple Crown winner in my lifetime.

Jenny · 06-04-2003, 12:12 PM

I'm rooting for him!

brainsmile · 06-04-2003, 03:00 PM

he'll win and rather easily I think

bachviet · 06-04-2003, 05:08 PM

I would say NO.

gear02 · 06-04-2003, 05:43 PM

I would say no due to history (past 7 or so horses who have won the first two legs haven't won the belmont), but 5 freaking horses?? Chances are good.

The question is, is HE corked?

speedracer120 · 06-04-2003, 06:29 PM

It'd be great to see it win but I doubt it seeing as how the most recent one's with such billing have failed in some cases catostrophically. I call it, it because it's a gelding. No more gonads for what used to be a he.

Shaq34_KB8 · 06-05-2003, 04:28 PM

You just got to feel for the guy. Hope he wins the Triple Crown because he won't get to be retired to the stud farm.

raimin · 06-09-2003, 04:23 PM

heck, just clone the darn thing

View Poll Results: Will Funny Cide win the Triple Crown?
Yes	5	55.56%
No	3	33.33%
No one cares about horse racing except for mojo the ignorant slut, you insensitive clod!	1	11.11%
Voters: 9. You may not vote on this poll

06-05-2003, 04:28 PM	#7
Shaq34_KB8 Ensign Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 33	Funny Cide You just got to feel for the guy. Hope he wins the Triple Crown because he won't get to be retired to the stud farm.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

06-04-2003, 12:12 PM	#2
Jenny Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Kansas City area Posts: 10,947	I'm rooting for him!

06-04-2003, 03:00 PM	#3
brainsmile Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: woah... why is welfareloser here with me so early in the morning and more importantly why am I wearing her clothes?!? Posts: 13,754	he'll win and rather easily I think

06-04-2003, 05:08 PM	#4
bachviet What's Da Pho*? Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SoCal (714) Posts: 13,296	I would say NO.

06-04-2003, 05:43 PM	#5
gear02 Admiral Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 7,223	I would say no due to history (past 7 or so horses who have won the first two legs haven't won the belmont), but 5 freaking horses?? Chances are good. The question is, is HE corked?

06-04-2003, 06:29 PM	#6
speedracer120 Rear Admiral Upper Half Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: HB,CA/PA Posts: 3,437	It'd be great to see it win but I doubt it seeing as how the most recent one's with such billing have failed in some cases catostrophically. I call it, it because it's a gelding. No more gonads for what used to be a he.

06-09-2003, 04:23 PM	#8
raimin Captain Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: san francisco Posts: 1,627	heck, just clone the darn thing

User Name
Password
Remember Me?