ESPN Horse Racing

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Trainer Shug McGaughey won't be running a longshot in the Kentucky Derby. Instead, he'll be running one of the favorites in Saturday's Grade 3 Withers Stakes.

Though Survivalist worked much better Monday morning than he did a week ago, McGaughey said he believes it is better to wait before running Survivalist against the best 3-year-olds in the country again.

Thus, Survivalist will be running in a one-turn mile stakes, the same conditions as when he won the Grade 3 Gotham here in March. Following the Gotham, Survivalist ran in the Wood Memorial, finishing 17 1/2 lengths behind Bellamy Road while running second.

McGaughey said he didn't want to run a longshot in the Derby, but noted that if Survivalist runs well in the $150,000 Withers, he could run back in the Preakness on May 21.

"We could always catch up with them some other time," McGaughey said Monday.

Last Wednesday, Survivalist worked a slow half-mile in 51.61 seconds over Belmont's main track. Monday, McGaughey gave Survivalist some company, and the colt worked a solid five furlongs in 59.62 seconds, the fastest of 16 at the distance. Survivalist worked in company with a 3-year-old maiden, Minister's Joy. The two worked head and head before Survivalist edged away late under Richard Migliore.

Migliore was also aboard for last week's workout and said the difference between the two works was "night and day." Migliore said the workmate was "like having a light switch going on" for Survivalist. "He was pretty competitive, very aggressive."

The Withers is shaping up to be a very competitive race. Proud Accolade, who won the Grade 1 Champagne at 2 and the Grade 2 Hutcheson earlier this year, heads the field. Stakes winners B. B. Best, Park Avenue Ball, Scrappy T, as well as Smokescreen and White Socks are also expected to run.

Funny Cide assigned 127 pounds for Kings Point
Funny Cide will be the heavyweight in more ways than one when he runs in Sunday's Kings Point Handicap.

The dual classic winner and champion 3-year-old of 2003, Funny Cide was assigned 127 pounds for the Kings Point, his first start against New York-bred competition since he won the Sleepy Hollow in October 2002.

The Kings Point is Funny Cide's first start since he finished 10th in the Breeders' Cup Classic last October.

Trainer Barclay Tagg said he was not surprised, but was still not happy with the impost assigned by racing secretary Mike Lakow for Funny Cide's 5-year-old debut.

"It doesn't do you any good to start the year off carrying that much weight," Tagg said. "I can see why, but I think he's overdone it. He hasn't been out in six months, and he's coming off a poor race."

Funny Cide will be giving eight pounds to Spite the Devil, who won the Empire Classic last year, and 11 pounds to Yankee Mon, who has won two straight allowance races.

On Monday, Funny Cide worked seven furlongs in 1:26.68 over Belmont's main track. Regular exercise rider Robin Smullen was up for the move, which was timed in fractions of 24.80 and 48.80 seconds. He galloped out a mile in 1:40.40.

Smullen said he was pleased with the work and said the purpose of the Kings Point is to have Funny Cide ready for the Pimlico Special May 20.

"We'd love to win it, don't get me wrong," Smullen said. "But our goal is the Pimlico race."

Tagg, with Smullen saddling, swept the early daily double on Sunday, giving the stable a much-needed boost. Tagg was 3 for 47 before Sunday.

"We were glad to get back to New York, of course, hoping things would change. Luckily, they did," said Smullen.

Tagg and Smullen will send out Changing World in Saturday's $100,000 Beaugay Handicap. Changing World won the Grade 3 Violet Handicap last fall at The Meadowlands and is coming off a last-place finish in the Grade 3 Honey Fox Handicap on March 13.

Watch the Kentucky Derby on NBC (Saturday at 5 p.m. ET).