Friday, May 16, 2003 | 9:15 a.m.
They finally drew entries for Saturday's Preakness Stakes on Wednesday. Finally ending all the anticipation of who's in, who's out and if the Kentucky Derby winner is really going for the Triple Crown heading into the middle jewel of the hardest trophy to win in sports.
The 11-day period between the Kentucky Derby on May 3 and the Preakness post position draw seemed like eons for both racing fans, horsemen and the Derby connections.
The well documented "picture" that led to an investigation of jockey Jose Santos' ride aboard Derby winner Funny Cide at Churchill Downs and the aftermath of the concise expedience in adjudicating a decision not to disqualify Santos and Funny Cide from continuing on their Triple Crown odyssey will now draw attention back to the matter at hand. And, the question everyone is now asking.
While all the hoopla of whether Santos used an illegal device in the Derby may be aside, there are those who are lying in wait to see if Funny Cide will win Saturday's date with destiny at Pimlico Race Course or rekindle suspicions about his Derby victory at all.
Immediately following the Louisville cavalry charge, there were as many as a dozen horses heading for Baltimore. Then, the field dwindled to as few as six. As the investigation unfolded late last week, trainer Bobby Frankel vacillated between running beaten Derby favorite Empire Maker in the race (since a Derby disqualification of Funny Cide would have given runner-up Empire Maker the Triple Crown chance), as others started realizing even a secondary placing would be worthwhile for the $1 million purse.
Of the recent defections, Champali developed a small case of colic and Indian Express misses the Grade I event with a foot problem.
For Funny Cide, an early morning van ride from serene Belmont Park down the pike to Maryland will lead to whether the first gelding to win the Kentucky Derby since 1929 returns to the Big Apple with a police escort and a ticker-tape parade.
Twenty-nine horses have made the journey home from Pimlico with Derby and Preakness victories in tow. Eleven have gone on to win the Triple Crown while 18 have won the Preakness then failed in the Belmont Stakes three weeks later.
If Funny Cide takes the 1 3/16th mile Preakness Stakes Saturday, he will be the fifth horse in the past six years trying to become the 12th Triple Crown winner. In 1997 Silver Charm, followed by Real Quiet in 1998 and Charismatic in 1999 won the Preakness, along with War Emblem last year, following Derby victories. They all failed in the Belmont Stakes.
Derby-Preakness participation has been productive for victory at Pimlico. And, although there are six new shooters in the field of 10, many experts feel that a Derby rerun is likely. Along with Funny Cide, Peace Rules -- who finished on even terms with stablemate Empire Maker when third in the Derby -- are overwhelming morning line choices. Funny Cide has been installed the slight favorite at 7-5 over Peace Rules, which was 8-5 in the morning line odds.
Here is the field of 10 for the 128th Preakness Stakes, in post position order with jockey/trainer and morning line odds:
1. Cherokee's Boy Ryan Fogelsonger, Gary Capuano, 15-1
The hometown horse. Won Pimlico's Preakness prep, the Fedrico Tesio, in gate-to-wire fashion and boasts a perfect 3-for-3 record over the track. Gets circuit kingpin rider and Capuano has Triple Crown experience with Captain Bodgit in 1997.
2-a. Scrimshaw Gary Stevens, D. Wayne Lukas, 5-1
This team has plenty of Triple Crown experience. Finished 11th in the Derby following Lexington Stakes win. Stevens and owners Lewis teamed to win in 1997 with Silver Charm while Lukas teamed with Lewises for 1999 winner Charismatic. Part of solid owner-coupled entry.
3. Foufa's Warrior Ramon Dominguez, Lawrence Murray, 20-1
Every race has one. Don't know who Foufa is, but this Warrior is a stout closer. So, only way this guy gets the black-eyed susans is with a serious Preakness meltdown. Top local rider is his best asset.
4. Kissin Saint Richard Migliore, Lisa Lewis, 20-1
Distant third in Wood Memorial behind Empire Maker and Funny Cide. Won three prior outings. Best chance here is to sit a stalker's position and pounce with every ounce. Divine intervention may be needed.
5. Ten Cents A Shine Jerry Bailey, D. Wayne Lukas, 15-1
Got nation's top jock as partner when original mount got sick. Winner of two lifetime starts finished eighth in past three starts, including the Derby. The fact that Bailey accepted and D. Wayne trains is enough to give this guy a look. Shines go up if this one wins.
6. Midway Road Robby Albarado Jr., Neil Howard, 20-1
Won by double-digits at Keeneland in last. Promising runner has won 3-of-7 career starts. Trainer doesn't run horses just to get box seats and rider is capable. Has long shot look here.
7. Peace Rules Edgar Prado, Robert Frankel, 8-5
May have run the best race in the Derby while finishing in photo for second with stablemate Empire Maker. Although he was third, he attended a brisk pace in the Derby and was still fighting at the end. Won four in a row before Derby, including a victory over Funny Cide in Louisiana Derby. Should be sitting in garden spot here.
8. New York Hero Jorge Chavez, Jennifer Pederson, 20-1
Fifth in last with trouble at the start. Won Lane's End as Derby prep then skipped Louisville start. Solid worktab for three-time career winner and could be part of pace scenario here.
9. Funny Cide Jose Santos, Barclay Tagg, 7-5
Solid Kentucky Derby victory brings this guy more attention at the windows than his 12-1 Derby odds. In the quinella 6 of 7 lifetime starts with 4 victories, he has a bullet drill since Derby victory. Although the human connections may have been distracted by the "picture investigation," this guy was far removed in Belmont Park barn. If he can make it here, then he can make in New York? Or anywhere? Legitimate Derby hero.
10-a. Senor Swinger Pat Day, Bob Baffert, 5-1
The other half of the Lewis-owned coupled entry with Scrimshaw comes here off a solid victory in the American Turf Stakes on Derby Day at Churchill Downs. Recent million dollar purchase could be dangerous with come-from-behind style if pace is decent. Turf-to-dirt angle. Rider and trainer have Preakness successes under belt.
They say that the luckiest horse wins the Derby and the fastest wins the Preakness. Many times that horse is one and the same. It appears that another Derby finish may be in order here. But, it may be in quinella form. Peace Rules has a solid chance to turn tables on Funny Cide for their rubber match, and if not, a "lock'em up" quinella could be in the offering. For trifecta gimmicks add Midway Road, Scrimshaw/Senor Swinger-entry and Ten Cents A Shine.
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