HOLLYWOOD, Fla. -- The fun-loving owners of Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide received the Big Sport of Turfdom award Monday, given to those who help increase coverage of thoroughbred racing.

Sackatoga Stable, which includes six high school pals from Sackets Harbor, N.Y., enjoyed every minute of Funny Cide's ride through the Triple Crown races. And they showed it.

The Sackatoga gang of 10 owners rode yellow school buses packed with friends and cases of beer to the track for Funny Cide's wins in the Derby and Preakness, and his loss in the Belmont Stakes.

Managing partner Jack Knowlton, along with most of his co-owners, answered nearly every interview request during the Triple Crown races.

The award is presented by the Turf Publicists of America. Former winners include Secretariat's owner Penny Chenery, Hall of Fame jockey Laffit Pincay Jr., "Seabiscuit" author Laura Hillenbrand and actors Tim Conway and Jack Klugman.

TPA president Michele Blanco said Sackatoga's "unflinching cooperation was partly responsible for a near-record crowd at Belmont Park, the highest television rating for a Belmont Stakes telecast in over 20 years and increased interest in our sport from new fans and prospective owners."