Wet Track Delays Dynever Work; Funny Cide Jogs

With the Belmont track soaked from several days of rain, trainer Christophe Clement has decided to postpone Dynever's work from Friday to either Sunday or Monday. Also scheduled to work Monday is Kentucky Derby runner-up Empire Maker.

On the Funny Cide watch, the Kentucky Derby winner jogged the wrong way over the muddy main track this morning. Trainer Barclay Tagg sent the gelding to the track early, fearing deteriorating track conditions.

"I went out early and jogged him because I didn't want to get him caught in the rain," Tagg said. "The track is a mess right now. When it's got all that water on it for so long, it's hard on the track. I don't want to take any chances with him."

Tagg said Funny Cide likely will work either Wednesday or Thursday.

Empire Maker's trainer, Bobby Frankel, is concerned about getting enough training into his colt. The son of Unbridled also jogged this morning, and Frankel is hoping to be able to get in his scheduled work on Monday. "I still got to get two more works in him," Frankel said. "I'm not worried about anything but just getting training in him. I even thought about running him in the Peter Pan."

The prospective Belmont field is now at 10. In addition to Funny Cide, Empire Maker, and Dynever, others pointing for the third leg of the Triple Crown are Atswhatimtalknbout, who is nursing a bruised foot, Ten Most Wanted, Midway Road, Scrimshaw, Best Minister, Colita, and Outta Here. Trainer Neil Howard still hasn't committed Preakness runner-up Midway Road to the Belmont, but he and owner William S. Farish are giving it serious consideration.