128TH PREAKNESS Funny Cide no joke again

The chestnut gelding routed the Preakness field to eye the Triple Crown.
By JOHN LINDSAY
SCRIPPS HOWARD NEWS SERVICE
BALTIMORE -- Dismissing challengers with the same purpose that he shook off the bogus controversy surrounding his Kentucky Derby victory, Funny Cide took an impressive step toward history Saturday by romping to victory in the 128th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico.
With a dominating move in the final turn, the chestnut gelding brushed off Peace Rules and the rest of the field to break free for a 9 3/4-length victory, the second largest ever at the Preakness.
Funny Cide now will attempt to become racing's first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978 on June 7 at his home track at the Belmont in Elmont, N.Y.
No one was happier than Funny Cide jockey Jose Santos, who was cleared by Churchill Downs stewards on Tuesday after some claimed photos in the Miami Herald suggested that Santos had something in his hand as he crossed the finish line at the Derby.
"The only machine I had with me today was the big powerful horse under me," Santos said. "He's such a wonderful horse. I know we'll be there in three weeks [at the Belmont]."
Vindication
Funny Cide trainer Barclay Tagg viewed it as resounding vindication for Santos.
"Jose is a world-class rider and a world-class human being," said Tagg, after winning his second Triple Crown race at the age of 65. "[The controversy] never should have happened. And those photographers down in Miami are nuts."
Going off as the favorite at 9-5, Funny Cide's time of 1:55.61 was deceptive since he was not challenged over the final quarter mile. In becoming only the second gelding since 1914 to win the Preakness, Funny Cide paid $5.80 as the Derby winner won here for the fifth time in the last seven years. Long-shot Midway Road was a distant second and paid $15.40 while trainer D. Wayne Lukas' Scrimshaw was third, two lengths ahead of the fading Peace Rules, which went off as the betting second choice at 2-1.
"Funny Cide dispelled a lot of critics today," said Jack Knowlton, chairman of Sackatoga Springs, the group of six high school-friends that pooled $5,000 each in 1995 to take a run at horse racing greatness. "He showed the world that he is a real race horse."
More apparent early
That was more than apparent early. Brushed slightly out of the gate by Senor Swinger, Funny Cide dashed to the first turn and moved inside early to save ground. From there, the chestnut horse more or less toyed with Peace Rules and the rest of the field. When Santos finally turned him loose around the final turn, the only real question was how big would Funny Cide's margin of victory be.
Even Peace Rules jockey Edgar Prado knew.
"I knew I was in trouble around the 1/2-mile pole when [Funny Cide] was just kind of galloping and he was right with me," Prado said.
With his victory secure, Santos even had a little fun after he crossed the finish line, holding up his right hand to show the crowd of 100,268 that he had nothing in it.
"Barclay had told me to try to save ground early and after that, I felt real good and could tell I had a lot of horse," said Santos.
"I knew you couldn't lose ground on the first turn," said Tagg. "I've watched a lot of Preaknesses and the only horse I can ever remember doing that and winning was Secretariat. I also knew we had to make an early move. He's been perfect so far."
History awaiting
Now history awaits at the Belmont. Since 1997, Silver Charm, Real Quiet, Charismatic and War Emblem all failed in attempts to end racing's Triple Crown drought, now at 25 years (longest in history). But Knowlton noted that Funny Cide will have several advantages those horses did not.
"We won't have to worry about shipping him or anything," said Knowlton who arrived in Baltimore from New York in a yellow school bus with 39 friends and associates just as he did for the Derby. "And he'll be able to run on his home track where he's never lost [in three races as a two-year old.]
"It's just tremendously exciting for us. It hasn't really sunk in yet. I know it will by the time of the Belmont."
Bought for just $75,000, Sackatoga Stables will earn a $5 million bonus from VISA Corp. should Funny Cide win the Belmont.
"We've got two thirds of it and now want to get that last one," Knowlton said.