BELMONT STAKES Frisky Funny Cide playful in the paddock

The gelding's low odds will be a turnoff to anyone seeking a big payoff.
NEW YORK (AP) -- Funny Cide has no idea he'll be making a run at history in the Belmont Stakes. Yet the gelding is behaving as though something big is about to happen.
Instead of being tuckered out after winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, Funny Cide put in a sizzling final workout and has been a voracious eater leading up to Saturday's race.
A victory would make him the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years.
"He's a good-feeling, big, strong horse. He's just improved all the time," trainer Barclay Tagg said at Wednesday's post position draw, where Funny Cide was made the even-money favorite in a field of six.
Signs
"He was just bucking and squealing. We don't know whether it's a good sign or not."
Funny Cide enjoys a home-track advantage at Belmont Park. He lives in a stall not far from the paddock where he will parade before more than 100,000 fans Saturday. He is undefeated in three races here.
"It's a great position to be in -- one race away from the Triple Crown -- and I have a pretty good chance," jockey Jose Santos said.
"This is the best 3-year-old I've ridden in my life. I think he's going to do it."
As the even-money favorite, Funny Cide will only be a popular bet among those wanting souvenir $2 win tickets. His low odds will be a turnoff to anyone seeking a big payoff.
The last Belmont favorite who was even money or better was Real Quiet in 1998.
The Derby and Preakness winner went off at 4-5 and lost his Triple Crown bid by a nose to Victory Gallop.
Also running are Empire Maker (6-5), Dynever (5-1), Ten Most Wanted (10-1), Scrimshaw (20-1) and Supervisor (50-1).
Best Minister was not entered after trainer Ken McPeek said the colt had developed a virus.
"Empire Maker has probably been the favorite most of his life," jockey Jerry Bailey said.
"So if he's the underdog it won't be by much and it won't matter once the gate opens."
Brooklyn-born Bobby Frankel, who trains Empire Maker, has gleefully embraced the spoiler's role.
"I like that," he said. "They love me here in New York. They bet on my horses all the time."
Well-prepared
Despite several days of rain that affected training schedules, Frankel is satisfied with Empire Maker's condition. "I think he's dead-fit for this race," he said.
Ten Most Wanted prepared for the Belmont by training in sunny and warm California.
He will break from the No. 6 post, making him the last horse to enter the starting gate.
"That should help him," trainer Wally Dollase said.
"He'll walk right in, but he wants out of there. A lot of times we've had problems with him because he starts throwing his head around and he gets a little anxious."
Ten Most Wanted finished ninth in the Kentucky Derby, beaten 73/4 lengths by Funny Cide. He was bumped at the start, got checked early and ran a wide path all the way around the track.
"He had a bad break in the Derby. It was definitely the horses around him and not his fault," Dollase said.