SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- Funny Cide was entered in the $1 million Travers Stakes on Wednesday, with trainer Barclay Tagg saying there's a "75 percent" chance his Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner will run.
"He seems to be doing pretty nicely," Tagg said. "So the owners were willing to put up the money and we'll see what happens."
If Funny Cide runs Saturday, he likely will face Empire Maker, who was entered along with stablemate Peace Rules, and five other 3-year-olds. Bobby Frankel, who trains Empire Maker and Peace Rules, said he decided to enter Peace Rules as an "insurance policy" in case Empire Maker doesn't run.
Frankel said Empire Maker coughed a few days ago but is now "doing great." Empire Maker denied Funny Cide's Triple Crown bid with a victory in the Belmont Stakes, and the Travers has been billed as a rematch between the rivals.
Frankel's plans call for Empire Maker to run in the Travers, with Peace Rules scheduled for the Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 2.
Horses can be scratched until 45 minutes before post time.
Empire Maker, coupled in the wagering with Peace Rules, was made the 8-5 favorite, with Funny Cide the second choice at 3-1.
Also entered in the 1¼-mile race were Jim Dandy winner Strong Hope and Haskell runner-up Sky Mesa, both 4-1; Ten Most Wanted (6-1); Congrats (15-1); and Wild and Wicked (20-1).
Funny Cide has been recovering from a fever since Aug. 4, a day after his third-place finish in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park.
After Funny Cide's workout Tuesday, Tagg said it was "highly unlikely" the horse would run in the Travers. But Tagg changed his tune overnight.
Asked Wednesday what the chances were, Tagg replied: "75 percent."
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">
PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY NYRA ODDS
1 CONGRATS S. McGaughey M. Luzzi 15-1
2 STRONG HOPE T. Pletcher J. Velazquez 4-1
3 PEACE RULES B. Frankel J. Bailey 8-5
4 TEN MOST WANTED W. Dollase P. Day 6-1
5 EMPIRE MAKER B. Frankel J. Bailey 8-5
6 WILD AND WICKED K. McPeek S. Sellers 20-1
7 FUNNY CIDE B. Tagg J. Santos 3-1
8 SKY MESA J. Ward E. Prado 4-1
</pre>
http://espn.go.com/horse/news/2003/0820/1599614.html
"He seems to be doing pretty nicely," Tagg said. "So the owners were willing to put up the money and we'll see what happens."
If Funny Cide runs Saturday, he likely will face Empire Maker, who was entered along with stablemate Peace Rules, and five other 3-year-olds. Bobby Frankel, who trains Empire Maker and Peace Rules, said he decided to enter Peace Rules as an "insurance policy" in case Empire Maker doesn't run.
Frankel said Empire Maker coughed a few days ago but is now "doing great." Empire Maker denied Funny Cide's Triple Crown bid with a victory in the Belmont Stakes, and the Travers has been billed as a rematch between the rivals.
Frankel's plans call for Empire Maker to run in the Travers, with Peace Rules scheduled for the Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 2.
Horses can be scratched until 45 minutes before post time.
Empire Maker, coupled in the wagering with Peace Rules, was made the 8-5 favorite, with Funny Cide the second choice at 3-1.
Also entered in the 1¼-mile race were Jim Dandy winner Strong Hope and Haskell runner-up Sky Mesa, both 4-1; Ten Most Wanted (6-1); Congrats (15-1); and Wild and Wicked (20-1).
Funny Cide has been recovering from a fever since Aug. 4, a day after his third-place finish in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park.
After Funny Cide's workout Tuesday, Tagg said it was "highly unlikely" the horse would run in the Travers. But Tagg changed his tune overnight.
Asked Wednesday what the chances were, Tagg replied: "75 percent."
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">
PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY NYRA ODDS
1 CONGRATS S. McGaughey M. Luzzi 15-1
2 STRONG HOPE T. Pletcher J. Velazquez 4-1
3 PEACE RULES B. Frankel J. Bailey 8-5
4 TEN MOST WANTED W. Dollase P. Day 6-1
5 EMPIRE MAKER B. Frankel J. Bailey 8-5
6 WILD AND WICKED K. McPeek S. Sellers 20-1
7 FUNNY CIDE B. Tagg J. Santos 3-1
8 SKY MESA J. Ward E. Prado 4-1
</pre>
http://espn.go.com/horse/news/2003/0820/1599614.html
