Fast Break

Horse racing

At 7, Funny Cide snaps loss streak

Funny Cide received a regal reception and responded like a champion. Four years removed from making a run at a Triple Crown, Funny Cide returned to the winner’s circle at a track far removed from the majesty of Churchill Downs.

The 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner captured the 31st running of the $100,000 Wadsworth Memorial Handicap at Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack at Farmington, N.Y., driving past pace-setting Johnie Bye Night down the stretch and pulling away to win by three lengths.

The 7-year-old Funny Cide had not won in six straight outings, but the 1 1/8-mile test for 3-year-olds and up proved to his liking as a near record crowd of more than 12,000 cheered his every stride. He covered the distance in 1 minute, 51.77 seconds.

It was the first time a Derby winner had raced at Finger Lakes since 1962.

Football

U.S. makes debut in World Cup

The United States should have a big advantage in this World Cup.

The United States will make its debut in the 2007 American Football World Cup, sending a team of college players to compete in the championship in Kawasaki, Saturday through July 15.

Japan, the host, is the two-time defending champion. Germany, South Korea, France and current European champion Sweden are the other teams taking part.

The U.S. team will be made up of players from Division I, II and III colleges and will be coached by John Mackovic, the former Kansas City Chiefs coach who has spent many years in the college game.

“I have always wanted to spread the game of football around the world,” Mackovic said on USA Football’s Web site. “We welcome the chance to play against other countries in a true world championship.”

Japan meets France in the opening game in Kawasaki on Saturday, and the United States will face South Korea on Tuesday and take on Germany two days later.

All teams will play a round-robin within their group. The top team in each group will advance to the July 15 championship game.