SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y., Aug. 23 (UPI) -- It looks like horse racing's version of the "Hokey Pokey" will leave the Travers Stakes without its two biggest names.
Funny Cide and Empire Maker both have been pulled out of Saturday's $1 million Grade 1 race at Saratoga, eliminating any chance of a rematch between 3-year-olds.
It had been a day-to-day decision for the trainers of both horses.
Funny Cide was highly doubtful early this week, then entered before being pulled out Friday by trainer Barclay Tagg due to a high fever. Bobby Frankel withdrew Empire Maker on Thursday because of similar symptoms.
"I didn't like the way he sounded when he galloped," Tagg said."We thought that he was breathing a little rough. I scoped him about a half hour when he came back and he was full of mucus in his throat."
"He's OK, but I'm not taking any chances," Frankel said of his colt. "I'm erring on the side of caution."
