Funny Cide seeks first Triple Crown in 25 years
By Aaron Juarez
It's been due to happen one of these years.
After a convincing victory in the Preakness Stakes, Funny Cide will strive to win the Belmont Stakes on June 7 and become the first horse in 25 years to enter the prestigious Triple Crown club.
That elite group of horses has only 11 members: most recently Affirmed in 1978, Seattle Slew in 1977 and Secretariat in 1973. Funny Cide could make it an even dozen, but it won't be easy.
The Belmont, at 1.5 miles, is the longest of the three races that comprise the Triple Crown (Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes). It has proven to be the most difficult race for the "odds on favorite" to win in recent years. This marks the fifth time in the last seven years that a horse has won the first two races. Unfortunately, those horses had disappointing finishes in the Belmont Stakes.
Last year, War Emblem staggered out of the gates and finished eighth. In 1999, Charismatic broke his foot as he sprinted down the stretch. The year before, Real Quiet lost in a photo finish and in 1997 Silver Charm lost by less than one length - one length is equivalent to the length of a horse.
These close calls have been exciting for the fans, but horse racing could benefit from a Triple Crown winner to boost interest in the sport. The Belmont Stakes is always either the most or least intriguing race to watch, depending on whether there is a horse in the field that has won the first two "legs" of the Triple Crown.
Funny Cide is this year's hopeful to accomplish the overdue feat. A New York-bred gelding, Funny Cide is very familiar with the Belmont, New York track. He has competed in three previous races at the Belmont track and stood in the winner's circle after all of them.
"He trains on this track, so he'll know it like no other horse in the field," said Los Angeles Times racing expert Bill Christine. "That should be a big advantage. Trainers try to use the track as an excuse after the race but that won't be the case here. This is a horse that we know can handle the track."
Although Funny Cide has the advantage of racing on his home track, the competition should be much tougher than what he faced in the Preakness.
And according to Christine, the Belmont has a much deeper field of well-rested horses.
Empire Maker is one of those well-rested horses that should prove to be Funny Cide's toughest competitor. Despite a foot problem that occurred a few days before the Kentucky Derby, Empire Maker entered the Derby as the favorite. He finished right behind Funny Cide for second but did not compete in the Preakness.
"Empire Maker is much better bred then Funny Cide to run a mile and a half," said Christine. "Funny Cide was bred by a family of sprinters, who have not faired well in long distance races. Empire Maker is a classically bred horse."
Fellow horse racing guru and Los Angeles Time handicapper Bob Mieszerski has similar feelings.
"Personally, I think he (Funny Cide) is going to get beat. The field is a lot better then what he faced in the Preakness, and I have questions about him going a mile and a half."
Atswhatimtalknbout and Dynever are also expected to be two of Funny Cide's greatest challengers.
"I really like Dynever," said Mieszerski. "He didn't run in the first two races, but I think he'll be the best three-year old by the end of this year."
Tune into NBC on June 7 to watch two of the most exciting minutes in sports, as the nation will cheer on Funny Cide down the stretch and potentially into racing history. Whatever you do, don't blink.