Pico Central takes Met Mile; Azeri, Funny Cide out of money

NEW YORK -- So much for Azeri beating the boys, or Funny Cide returning to classic form.

Neither Azeri nor Funny Cide put up much of a fight in the Metropolitan Handicap on Monday, with Pico Central taking charge in the stretch and beating Bowman's Band by three-quarters of a length in the rain at Belmont Park.

Azeri, the 2002 horse of the year, finished eighth in her first start against males. The 6-year-old mare, trained by D. Wayne Lukas and ridden for the first time by Pat Day, came into the race with 15 victories and three runner-up finishes.

Funny Cide, last year's Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, was a disappointing fifth in his first race at Belmont since finishing third in his Triple Crown try in the Belmont Stakes.

Pico Central, a 5-year-old bred in Brazil, finished first in his past three races and was placed first by disqualification in his first start in America.

Azeri, with Day replacing regular rider Mike Smith, was third along the rail but had no finishing kick in the stretch.

"I don't think she ran the race that we've seen her train for, for whatever reason," said Lukas, who took over Azeri's care this year after Laura de Seroux was fired by owner Michael Paulson. "I don't regret what we did. We took a shot daring to be great."

Barclay Tagg, Funny Cide's trainer, said he doesn't know what's next for his New York-bred who has lost six of his eight starts since winning the Preakness. He does know that "he's just not a miler."

"Everyone's been telling me from Day One he's a miler," Tagg said. "Sometimes, you have to prove it to everybody."

Ridden by Alex Solis, Pico Central covered the mile in 1:35.47, and returned $8.90, $5.60 and $3.40 as the 3-1 second choice of the crowd of 17,066.

"It's a beautiful race," winning trainer Paulo Lobo said. "I think it's the toughest race of the year so far."

Bowman's Band, ridden by Jorge Chavez, paid $13.20 and $6.80. Strong Hope, with John Velazquez aboard, paid $2.80.

Gygistar was fourth in the race also known as the Met Mile, followed by Funny Cide, Saarland, Eye of the Tiger, Azeri and Mobil.

Pico Central ran just off the pace set by Strong Hope, and moved up to challenge for the lead at the top of the stretch. The horse drew clear inside the eighth pole and then held off a late bid from Bowman's Band.

"I was a little nervous because one horse was coming but the last furlong I saw Solis had more horse." Lobo said.

Pico Central, owned by Gary Tanaka, has won eight of 12 career starts. He earned $450,000 to more than double his bankroll to $830,145. Lobo is 3-for-3 in New York -- all Grade I wins. His Farda Amiga took the 2002 Alabama at Saratoga, and Pico Central has won the Carter and Met Mile at Belmont.