FUNNY CIDE RETURNS TO NY HEADLINE p2 NEWS For information about TDN, DELIVERED EACH NIGHT call 732-747-8060. BY FAX AND INTERNET www.thoroughbreddailynews.com MONDAY, MAY 5, 2003 THE RHYTHM IS GOING TO GET YOU At Odds With Her Record... Russian Rhythm (Kingmambo) was sent off at the Russian Rhythm’s starting odds for the 1000 Guineas remarkable odds of 12-1 due to the negative vibes would have been unimaginable following her juvenile leading up to yesterday’s G1 Sagitta 1000 Guineas at campaign. After taking the G3 Princess Margaret S. at Newmarket, but Cheveley Ascot in July, she overcame serious trouble in running Park Stud’s chestnut came to add the G2 Lowther S. at York to her portfolio the good in time to ward off the following month. Even after her runner-up placing be- strong French challenge of hind Airwave (GB) in the G1 Cheveley Park S. at this Six Perfections (Fr) (Celtic track in October, when the six furlongs proved too Swing {GB}) and Interconti- short, she appeared sure to be one nental (GB) (Danehill), taking of the favorites on the first Sunday the fillies’ Classic by 1 1/2 in May. But the rumour mill had been Russian Rhythm Wins Guineas lengths. In a race that was in full operation this spring as con- Julian Herbert/Getty Images all about breaks, jockey nections relayed fears that the Clas- Kieren Fallon proved he has sic would come too soon. “I really one of the best noses for opportunity in the business, had not been pleased with her prepa- urging Russian Rhythm from the rear through a gap in ration,” trainer Sir Michael Stoute the wall of horses inside the final quarter. Passing Inter- admitted. “She wasn’t really bloom- continental and Christophe Soumillon at the furlong ing and wasn’t eating as well as she marker, the longshot quickened all the way to the line can, as she’s a very good doer. She to win decisively. had got a little bit better lately with the advent of some good weather. Sunday, Newmarket, Britain We had just tried to be patient and Russian Rhythm SAGITTA 1000 GUINEAS S.-G1, £320,000, not ask her to go too fast too soon. Julian Herbert/Getty Images Newmarket, 5-4, 3yo, f, 1mT, 1:38.43, gd/fm. The team have been great and a lot 1--sRUSSIAN RHYTHM, 126, f, 3, by Kingmambo of care and attention has gone into the filly. I felt in her 1st Dam: Balistroika, by Nijinsky II last bit of work that she had shown a little bit more 2nd Dam: Balidaress (Ire), by Balidar (Ire) sparkle than she had before, but it’s not easy with 3rd Dam: Innocence (GB), by Sea Hawk (Fr) these Guineas fillies, quite frankly. Kieren was more ($370,000 wnlg ‘00 KEENOV; 440,000gns yrl ‘01 confident than I was, but fortunately she has just come TATHOU). O-Cheveley Park Stud; B-Brushwood right on the day.” Click for the racingpost.co.uk Stable; T-Sir Michael Stoute; J-Kieren Fallon; chart.or the free brisnet.com catalogue-style pedigree. £185,600. Lifetime Record: 5-4-1-0, £300,020. 2--Six Perfections (Fr), 126, f, 3, Celtic Swing (GB)-- Tough Trip for the Favorite... Yogya, by Riverman. O/B-Niarchos Family; £70,400. Favored Six Perfections had the entire field in front of 3--Intercontinental (GB), 126, f, 3, Danehill--Hasili (Ire), her two furlongs from home. She ran up onto the heels by Kahyasi (Ire). O-Khalid Abdullah; B-Juddmonte of a rival and had to steady sharply, but came flying Farms; £35,200. once clear to be second. “It’s hard to take,” jockey Margins: 1HF, 1 1/4, 1HF. Odds: 12-1, 7-4, 5-1. Thierry Thulliez told Racing Post. “There were two Also ran: Soviet Song (Ire), Hanami (GB), Casual Look, horses in front of me and we galloped into one of their Summitville (GB), Yesterday (Ire), Presto Vento (GB), heels and reared up. I don’t know how I stayed in the Duty Paid (Ire), Look Here’s Carol (Ire), Gonfilia (Ger), saddle. She was the best filly, but second best in the Spinola (Fr), Mezzo Soprano, L’Ancresse (Ire), Tante race.” While plans for the winner are undecided, the Rose (Ire), Wimple, Hector’s Girl (GB), Khulood. runner-up could go for the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas at Scratched: Flashing Blade (GB), Lady Mytton (GB). The Curragh May 25. CAPE TOWN Seeking the Gold S Seaside Attraction, by Seattle Slew CLASSIC WINNER in his FIRST CROP... (859) 273-1514 P Fax (859) 273-0034 www.overbrookfarm.com BIRD TOWN wins the KENTUCKY OAKS-G1. 2003 Fee: $7,500 Live Foal Bird Town Horsephotos TDN P HEADLINE NEWS • 5/5/03 • PAGE 2 of 3 On to Pimlico K Y D E R B Y 1 2 9 P P Several Derby also-rans are considering a tilt at the second jewel in the Crown, including Eye of the Tiger Funny Cide Back in the Big Apple (American Chance), 5th; Buddy Gil (Eastern Echo), 6th; GI Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide (Distorted Domestic Dispute (Unbridled’s Song), 10th; Scrimshaw Humor) left Churchill Downs at 9 a.m. yesterday, arriv- (Gulch), 11th; and Indian Express (Indian Charlie), who ing at Belmont Park in time for lunch after an unevent- was 14th after a rough trip. The Utah-bred broke poorly ful flight. “He seems to be fine,” trainer Barclay Tagg and was steadied while in traffic as they raced to the said. “I haven’t had much time to go over him thor- first turn. He moved up to sixth, but faded badly. “If oughly, but I looked at him and he looks fine. There you miss the break on a speed horse like that, you can was no puffiness or swelling or cuts or bruises on him forget about it,” trainer Bob Baffert said. He added that and he seemed like he was sound.” The gelding will try his colt would have a new rider if he goes on to the for the second leg of the Triple Crown in two weeks. Preakness, as he will replace 20-year-old Tyler Baze “If he’s all right, we’ll certainly go [to the Preakness],” aboard Indian Express. Baze was riding in the Derby for Tagg said. “You can’t do anything else.” Funny Cide the first time Saturday. Baffert also said that Senor did not arrive in Louisville until three days before the Swinger (El Prado {Ire}) could return to the main track Derby, and his conditioner had considered sending him for the Preakness after winning Friday’s GIII Crown to Pimlico on the morning of the Preakness, but has Royal American Turf S. “That option is open,” he said. now decided against that plan. The chestnut was “He came out of the race great. If I could get Pat Day, stirred up by the paddock scene at Churchill, and his then I’d go and take a shot.” Day, who rode Senor connections will likely school him in Maryland. “I’d Swinger Friday, has won the Preakness five times. really prefer to [ship him the morning of the race], but [assistant trainer Robin Smullen] said last night that we might want to go down there and paddock him a cou- Talk’n ‘Bout the Belmont ple of times and she’s probably right,” Tagg said. The Trainer Ron Ellis was pleased with the fast-closing former steeplechase rider, who has been training since fourth-place effort of Atswhatimtalknbout (A.P. Indy), 1972, was saddling his first runner in the Derby. “It but likely will skip the Preakness in favor of the June 7 makes me feel like the last 30 years were worth all the GI Belmont S. “My gut feeling is the Belmont,” Ellis grind, I’ll tell you that,” he said. “This is the biggest said. “We pushed hard to make this race and I don’t thing there is in the game, so how can you not like it? think to come back in two weeks and then another Everybody thinks about winning the Derby. A lot of three weeks would be best. I am leaning toward spac- people who are very, very successful never have. You ing his races and giving him a chance to develop.” need a lot of luck for something like this.” Trainer D. Wayne Lukas said that eighth-place finisher Ten Cents A Shine (Devil His Due) is also Belmont- Frankel Ponders the Preakness bound, with seventh-placed Outta Here (Dehere) possi- Immediately after the Derby, trainer Bobby Frankel ble for the 1 1/2-mile test. seemed likely to keep runner-up Empire Maker (Unbri- dled) out of the May 17 Preakness, sending only third- Minor Post-Derby Problems for Deputy Duo place finisher Peace Rules (Jules). But he may change Brancusi (Deputy Commander), who set the pace his mind and saddle both. He said yesterday that he before fading to 16th, exited the race with a small would see how the two horses train in the coming days quarter crack. “It is a shame that it had to happen in before making a decision, adding, “Empire Maker is a the Derby, but it is fortunate that it is not a knee or an little immature still. He still hasn’t developed. You can ankle,” trainer Patrick Biancone said, adding that the see his body--he’s gangly, a little light. This was only colt would ship to New York next week.