SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - If this is the summer of Seabiscuit, the movie of heart-stirring drama, then perhaps this is also a racing season during which dramatics build to a heart-stopping climax.
If that's the case, then this real-life drama will unfold in two acts. Act One takes place today when Funny Cide and Empire Maker, stars of an earlier production known as the Triple Crown, return for their summer debuts in different states.
Funny Cide, winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, headlines the $1 million Haskell Invitational Handicap at Monmouth Park in New Jersey. Empire Maker, winner of the Belmont and spoiler of Funny Cide's Triple Crown bid, tops the $500,000 Jim Dandy Stakes here at Saratoga.
The dramatist's script calls for both horses to win, setting up Act Two: Their showdown in the $1 million Travers Stakes on Aug. 23 at Saratoga.
"Everybody is anticipating the Travers and the rematch with Empire Maker," said Jack Knowlton, managing partner of Sackatoga Stable, owner of Funny Cide. "If both these horses win this weekend, then I think we're looking almost at another three-week period like we had before the Belmont."
That buildup to the Belmont solidified Funny Cide's standing as Everyman's horse. Barclay Tagg, his trainer formerly based in Maryland, and Robin Smullen, his exercise rider and Tagg's assistant, received fan mail at their barn for the unlikely protagonist, a New York-bred gelding.
Funny Cide's owners, a group of 10 longtime friends and businessmen, launched Funny Cide Ventures and began marketing a wide array of Funny Cide merchandise, from hats and T-shirts to hot sauce and beer. After Funny Cide's third-place finish in the slop at Belmont, Tagg gave him a month break from serious training before gearing him up for the Haskell and Travers.
"He's doing great," Tagg said. "I don't think the Triple Crown took too much out of him. He seemed pretty fresh four days later."
Funny Cide will break from post 5 as the Haskell's 8-5 morning-line favorite. Seven 3-year-olds entered the Grade I stakes at 1 1/8 miles, and several are formidable.
The Bobby Frankel-trained Peace Rules makes his first start since finishing fourth in the Preakness. Sky Mesa makes his second start after a nine-month layoff because of an ankle injury. Edgar Prado, the former Maryland jockey, had been riding both horses. He chose Peace Rules in the Haskell.
Wild And Wicked attempts to remain undefeated after three impressive victories, the latest a 3 1/4 -length runaway in the Ohio Derby. His trainer, Ken McPeek, said the Wild Again colt "may very well be the best horse I've ever put my hands on, but he'll need to prove it."
The Jim Dandy at Saratoga, a Grade II stakes of 1 1/8 miles, also attracted seven 3-year-olds. Empire Maker breaks from post 6 as the 3-5 morning-line favorite against several promising, although little-known, competitors.
The Bob Baffert-trained During defeated Ten Most Wanted in the Grade II Swaps Stakes at Hollywood Park. The Kiaran McLaughlin-trained Tafaseel has won two straight in this country after a three-race stint in Dubai. Trained by New York's hottest trainer Todd Pletcher, Strong Hope has won four straight.
But the focus is Empire Maker in the Jim Dandy and Funny Cide in the Haskell - and the prospect of their dramatic clash in the Travers.
