By Beth Harris
The Associated Press

Robin Smullen, assistant trainer, rides Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide along side of trainer Barclay Tagg, right, at sunrise. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

NEW YORK - Funny Cide takes his shot at the Triple Crown, cheered on by racing fans riveted to the story of the inexpensive red gelding, his small-time owners, obscure trainer and vindicated jockey.

Only 11 horses have ever swept the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes, and none since Affirmed 25 years ago.

"It's certainly the gift of a lifetime to have a chance like this, but I've got to produce, too," said Barclay Tagg, who trained for years in anonymity until Funny Cide emerged.

A year after a record 103,222 fans showed up to see War Emblem's failed Triple Crown bid, an even bigger crowd was expected Saturday at Belmont Park.

"We have more advantage than any horse running in the race," jockey Jose Santos said. "He's run three times here and he won all three times. I know the track very well. Everything is working in Funny Cide's favor."

Maybe even the weather.

Saturday's forecast calls for a 60 percent chance of late afternoon rain around post time. Funny Cide has trained on a muddy track in recent days at Belmont, and his main rival Empire Maker can handle a soft track, too.

The weather wouldn't dampen the celebration if Funny Cide wins and earns the $600,000 purse and a $5 million Triple Crown bonus to be shared among the New York-bred gelding's 10 owners, and Tagg and Santos.

The owners are six high school pals from tiny Sackets Harbor, N.Y., two retirees, a caterer and a health care executive who pooled their limited resources to buy Funny Cide for $75,000.

"Even the Hollywood guys couldn't come up with this one. It's a great story," said D. Wayne Lukas, who seeks his fifth Belmont victory with 20-1 shot Scrimshaw.

Funny Cide's feel-good story took a turn for worse when Santos was investigated for allegedly using an illegal electrical device to prod the horse to victory in the Derby. The accusation was based on a photograph, and it was later found to be baseless.

"I respect him," said Jerry Bailey, who will ride Empire Maker.

Funny Cide was an upset winner in the Derby, then put away the Preakness field to win by 93/4 lengths three weeks ago.

Five rivals will try to stop Funny Cide's roll in the 11/2-mile Belmont, the longest of the Triple Crown races.

Whether Funny Cide can sustain his ability to race at or near the lead over a distance rarely run by most horses is the big question.

"It's going to be the best ride of my life since the Triple Crown is on the line," said Santos, who could become the first Latin American jockey to sweep the series. "I think he's going to get a victory."

If he does, Funny Cide would join Secretariat, Citation, Seattle Slew, Affirmed and seven others in the exclusive Triple Crown club. A loss, and Funny Cide becomes the 17th Derby-Preakness winner to fail in the Belmont - and fifth in the past seven years.

"It looks like he's coming up to this race the way he did the Preakness," said co-owner Jack Knowlton, managing partner of Sackatoga Stable. "He goes out there and just keeps shooting those bullets. This horse is just incredibly consistent."

None of the opposing trainers is willing to concede the race to Funny Cide, especially Hall of Famer Bobby Frankel, a Brooklyn native who has yet to win a Triple Crown race.

He trains Empire Maker, who was second in the Derby despite a bruised foot and skipped the Preakness.

"There's nothing more I'd like to do better than win the Belmont," Frankel said.

Even if it means preventing a Triple Crown?

"I'd love it," he said. "I want everybody that's going to hate me to hate me. I want to be the villain."

Funny Cide is the even-money favorite on the morning line. Empire Maker is second choice at 6-5. Dynever, who missed the Derby and Preakness, is the third choice at 5-1.

The 25-year gap between Triple Crown champions is the longest, and the same span between Citation's success in 1948 and Secretariat's in 1973.

"It would be wonderful if we could pull off the Triple Crown, but I don't think life will be over if we don't," Tagg said.

The Belmont field, from the rail out, is: Empire Maker, Supervisor, Scrimshaw, Funny Cide, Dynever and Ten Most Wanted.

The race, televised by NBC, goes off at 6:38 p.m. EDT.

Your guide to the 135th Belmont Stakes

The race

When: 6:38 p.m. today.

Where: Belmont Park, N.Y.

TV: Ch. 5, 22. Betting locally: Turfway Park in Florence will be simulcasting the races from Belmont. Gates open at 10:30 a.m.

Weather forecast: A 70 percent chance of showers by mid-afternoon with temperatures in the upper 60s.

Distance: 1 1/2 miles.

The horses

Field: Six 3-year-olds.

Favorite: Funny Cide, even money.

2002 winner: Sarava.

Last Triple Crown winner: Affirmed, in 1978, ridden by Steve Cauthen.

The money

Total purse: $1 million.

Winner's share: $600,000.

Added money: $5 million from Visa if Funny Cide completes the Triple Crown.

Belmont Odds

The field for today's 135th Belmont Stakes, with silk number, horse's name, jockey's name and odds:

1. Empire Maker	Bailey	6-5
2. Supervisor	Velazquez	50-1
3. Scrimshaw	Stevens	20-1
4. Funny Cide	Santos	Even
5. Dynever	Prado	5-1
6. Ten Most Wanted	Day	10-1

Trainers (by post position): 1, Bobby Frankel. 2, Linda Rice. 3, D. Wayne Lukas. 4, Barclay Tagg. 5, Christophe Clement. 6, Wally Dollase.

Owners (by post position): 1, Juddmonte Farms, Inc. 2, Rodney Lundock. 3, Robert & Beverly Lewis. 4, Sackatoga Stable. 5, Catherine Wills & Peter Karches. 6, Horizon Stable, et al.

Weights: 126 pounds.

Distance: 1 1/2 miles.

Purse: $1 million. First place: $600,000. Second place: $200,000. Third place: $110,000. Fourth place: $60,000. Fifth place: $30,000.

Post time: 6:38 p.m.