With the Cigar Mile (gr. I) on Nov. 29 his ultimate goal this year, Tagg indicated he may consider the nine-furlong Discovery Handicap (gr. III) on Oct. 29. The Empire Classic against New York-breds is an outside possibility, but Tagg is reluctant to run, fearing a defeat could cost Funny Cide the 3-year-old championship.
Kentucky Derby (gr. I) and Preakness (gr. I) winner Funny Cide showed he's ready for whatever trainer Barclay Tagg has in store for him, breezing five furlongs in :59 2/5 at Belmont Tuesday.The son of Distorted Humor hasn't run since finishing a lackluster third in the Haskell Invitational Handicap (gr. I). He was found to have a fever and viral infection after the race, which ultimately would keep him out of the Travers Stakes (gr. I).Tagg had been considering three races this weekend--the Kelso Breeders' Cup (gr. IIT) on turf, the Meadowlands Cup (gr. III), and the Indiana Derby (gr. II). But Tagg has elected to pass on all three in order to give the gelding more time.
