Sackatoga Stable's Funny Cide, who is attempting to win the Triple Crown on Saturday, got in his last major preparation for the Belmont on Tuesday, with a five-furlong work in :57 4/5. The New York-bred son of Distorted Humor has run over an off track once in his eight-race career, that being a runner-up effort to Empire Maker in the Wood Memorial Stakes (gr. I) at Aqueduct on April 12.The last time there was an off track for the Belmont Stakes was in 1993 when Centennial Farms' Colonial Affair defeated Kissin Kris by 2 ¼ lengths over a surface labeled "good." Seattle Slew, winner of the 1975 Triple Crown, won the Belmont by four lengths over a "muddy" track.
The New York area is under a flood watch from the National Weather Service as heavy rains have soaked the area since Tuesday night. Local forecasters have used words like "ugly" and "miserable" to describe Wednesday's forecast. The rains, which should deliver anywhere from one to two inches of precipitation on Long Island, should subside by Wednesday afternoon.Despite a better weather forecast for the remainder of the week, more rain, along with thunderstorms, is predicted for Saturday afternoon, Belmont Stakes (gr. I) Day. Afternoon temperatures in the high 70s are predicted for the rest of the week.The Belmont Park main track was sealed Tuesday afternoon. "Dogs" have been set up on the main track in the first five paths around the track for what few horses have gone out train. Standing water is the norm on the backside.
