Trainer Barclay Tagg has entered 2003 champion and dual classic winner FUNNY
CIDE (Distorted Humor) in Thursday’s featured 9TH race at Gulfstream Park, a one
mile allowance/optional claiming event. He will face six stakes-quality rivals,
led by last year’s Pennsylvania Derby (G2) winner SUN KING (Charismatic), who is
making
his four-year-old debut for conditioner Nick Zito.
In the wake of Funny Cide’s disappointing seventh in the Mr. Prospector H.
(G3), his comeback after six months on the shelf, Tagg had removed him from
consideration for Saturday’s Donn H. (G1). Breaking from post 4, the popular
Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning gelding will carry 118 pounds, including jockey Edgar Prado,
as he tries to recover his top-notch form of old.
Sun King has not raced since his ninth-place effort in the Breeders’ Cup
Classic (G1), in which he faded after setting the early pace. He has drawn post
6, and according to the conditions of the race, will tote 122 pounds, four more
than Funny Cide. Rafael Bejarano will return to the saddle, having guided the
colt to victories in the Pennsylvania Derby and Leonard Richards S. (G3) as well
as a third in the Jockey Club Gold Cup S. (G1) last season.
The Stanley Hough-trained CONTANTE (Arg) (Intreprete), third in last year’s
Hal’s Hope H. (G3), is making his first start since May. An Argentinian Group 1 winner, he has captured one of four starts in the United
States. Contante will break on the outside from post 7, and Shaun Bridgmohan
will partner the six-year-old for the first time.
Other notable contenders are Fly So Free S. winner SIR GREELEY (Mr. Greeley),
exiting a sixth in the Mr. Prospector, one spot ahead of Funny Cide, and
stakes-placed KENNEL UP (Joyeux Danseur).