Cide training well ahead of Triple Crown bid
Trainer Barclay Tagg has reported Funny Cide to be “training well” ahead of the gelding’s attempt to become the 12th winner of the American Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes on Saturday.
“He’s good and strong, he’s training well, and he’s eating up at night,” Tagg told the Blood-Horse website on Saturday. If I can get him to the race fit and healthy and not stressed out from too much commotion, that’s all I can do for him.
“He’s doing everything the right way and he’s strong as iron. His demeanour might look fine, but it’s still constant stress, and after week after week of it, you wonder are they going to fall apart on you when it’s crucial?
“It’s something you have to concern yourself about. I just want to get him there as peacefully and perfectly as possible. We want him happy and healthy and sound.”
After exercise on Saturday morning Funny Cide’s work rider Robin Smullen said: “He’s getting tougher every day.
“He’s tougher now than he was before the Derby. I guess he’s higher on himself. I looked at him in his stall and I actually think he’s put on weight.”
Funny Cide beat Empire Maker by one and three-quarter lengths to take the Kentucky Derby on May 3 before landing the Preakness Stakes by nine and three-quarter lengths from Midway Road to set up his Triple Crown bid at Belmont Park.
