Funny Cide, Sun King face off in Gulfstream allowance

Trainer Barclay Tagg has entered 2003 champion and dual classic winner FUNNY

CIDE (Distorted Humor) in Thursday's featured 9TH race at Gulfstream Park, a one

mile allowance/optional claiming event. He will face six stakes-quality rivals,

led by last year's Pennsylvania Derby (G2) winner SUN KING (Charismatic), who is

making

his four-year-old debut for conditioner Nick Zito.

In the wake of Funny Cide's disappointing seventh in the Mr. Prospector H.

(G3), his comeback after six months on the shelf, Tagg had removed him from

consideration for Saturday's Donn H. (G1). Breaking from post 4, the popular

Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning gelding will carry 118 pounds, including jockey Edgar Prado,

as he tries to recover his top-notch form of old.

Sun King has not raced since his ninth-place effort in the Breeders' Cup

Classic (G1), in which he faded after setting the early pace. He has drawn post

6, and according to the conditions of the race, will tote 122 pounds, four more

than Funny Cide. Rafael Bejarano will return to the saddle, having guided the

colt to victories in the Pennsylvania Derby and Leonard Richards S. (G3) as well

as a third in the Jockey Club Gold Cup S. (G1) last season.

The Stanley Hough-trained CONTANTE (Arg) (Intreprete), third in last year's

Hal's Hope H. (G3), is making his first start since May. An Argentinian Group 1 winner, he has captured one of four starts in the United

States. Contante will break on the outside from post 7, and Shaun Bridgmohan

will partner the six-year-old for the first time.

Other notable contenders are Fly So Free S. winner SIR GREELEY (Mr. Greeley),

exiting a sixth in the Mr. Prospector, one spot ahead of Funny Cide, and

stakes-placed KENNEL UP (Joyeux Danseur).