Sports - Thanks for the ride, Funny Cide

The horse that man was referring to was none other than Funny Cide and in a little more than 48 hours after our conversation, the gutsy New York-bred gelding would send shockwaves across the racing world by winning the Kentucky Derby.

I will never forget watching that race thorough my binoculars. It’s a word used often by sportswriters, but the experience was truly “surreal”. A horse born in the same city as myself was dashing toward the finish line with the rest of the field panting and struggling behind him.

Two weeks later, it was on to Baltimore and the Preakness and Funny Cide didn’t disappoint there either. Things didn’t go as well in the Belmont Stakes, but on that day, he was facing a fresh Empire Maker in the ultimate “Test of Champions”. It was yet another heroic effort by a horse that had captured the nation’s imagination.

The victories didn’t come as often for Funny Cide in the years that followed, but it was impossible to shake your head at the horse because he always gave his all every single time he graced us with his presence at the racetrack.

Many writers – me included – were critical of the way trainer Barclay Tagg and owners Sackatoga Stable handled Funny Cide’s racing campaigns. We thought he should be racing more often, especially with no future in the breeding shed. We couldn’t understand why he would be scratched from races due to the most minor weather or track conditions.

In defense of his handlers, Funny Cide did have some injuries that weren’t highly publicized and many of us jumped to conclusions about things that were going on behind the scenes that we were unaware of.

Speaking for myself, the reason I was so anxious was because I wanted to see him race again and again. That Triple Crown campaign meant so much to me not just as a writer, but as a fan of horse racing and sports in general. I have a framed photograph of Funny Cide being led to the Saratoga paddock with yours truly in focus walking behind him hanging in my living room. I often look at it and smile.

For these and many more reasons, I’m especially sad to hear that the 7-year-old has run his last race. On July 4, Funny Cide found the winner’s circle at Finger Lakes in the Wadsworth Memorial Handicap.

I had thought about going, but I took it for granted that Funny Cide would run at Saratoga Race Course this summer. Now I’m kicking myself for not making the trip as the Funny Cide camp announced his retirement last week.

Though Saratoga fans are disappointed, Funny Cide did go out on top and sometimes, that’s not a bad thing.

The New York Racing Association will celebrate the career of Funny Cide on Aug. 10 at Saratoga Race Course with the horse making an appearance that will surely be embraced by his countless fans.

I’m looking forward to being there and I will make sure to keep an eye out for my friend from Louisville.

Sports editor Eric DeGrechie can be reached at 581-2480, ext. 214 and edegrechie@saratogapublishing.com.