Funny Cide Makes Pimlico Plans; 6 Confirmed

(from Pimlico release)
It appears that Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide will van down to Pimlico from New York on May 14, a day after the New York-bred puts in his final Preakness work. Owner Jack Knowlton informed Maryland Jockey Club officials of his horse's plans for the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) Wednesday afternoon.

The lineup for the middle jewel continues to shuffle with two horses confirmed and a pair defecting.

Trainer Bob Baffert told Pimlico's Chief Operating Officer Lou Raffetto that Senor Swinger will be on a jet to Baltimore May 14 from Louisville and will run in the Preakness. Winner of the Crown Royal American Turf at Churchill, Senor Swinger finished 5th in both the Florida Derby and the Wood Memorial Stakes.

Midway Road's name has now been added to the probable list for the Preakness. Trainer Neil Howard is planning to run the Jade Hunter colt, who demolished a group of allowance runners at Keeneland by over eleven lengths in his last start.

Eye of the Tiger, who finished 5th in last week's Kentucky Derby and who had been mentioned as a possible starter for the 128th Preakness, boarded a plane in Kentucky this morning and flew back to his base in California. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said the son of American Chance would not participate in the second leg of the Triple Crown.

Champali, another colt mentioned as possible for the Preakness, has been withdrawn from consideration by his trainer Greg Foley. Foley informed Pimlico officials on Wednesday morning from Kentucky.

Six horses are confirmed for the Preakness: Funny Cide, Peace Rules, Scrimshaw, Indian Express, Senor Swinger and Midway Road.

Bobby Frankel will decide this weekend whether or not Empire Maker, the Derby runner-up, will run.