The Woodward (G1) at Saratoga featured six graded winners among the field of ten. But in the paddock the press was clearly focused on the 2004 Derby and Preakness winner. Everyone was watching Funny Cide while he was being saddled. The crowd along the paddock rail gave the former champ a round of applause as he headed to the track and the fans on the frontside also warmly applauded as Funny Cide was announced in the post parade.
When was the last time you saw a seen like this for a horse? When they retired Cigar? Maybe....
People love this Gelding. Why? Because he is still racing. He won the hearts of America when he won the Kentucky Derby, he solidified his place when he won the Preakness. And how can we forget his owners, and Barclay Tagg. This is a great story, and it only gets better. So big deal he does not win all the time, or some of the time. We still love him!
People flock to see Funny Cide run because he is a name and a horse that people can recognize. The world saw Afleet Alex 3 times. By the time they knew him, he was in the breeding shed. People come out to see familiar names. They go to the ballpark when Bonds comes to town, and they go to the track when horses like Funny Cide run.
So thanks to that undescended testicle for giving us all a horse to root for.
Check out: www.FunnyCide.com
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2 comments:
I agree. First, I love the story of Funny Cide, with the poor local boys done good angle. And also, people like rooting for superstars. I am trying to squeeze a trip to Belmont in on Saturday between my son's soccer game and my wife's dinner party. Showing Up is coming to town and I don't want to miss him. He may not be Bonds, but could be Ryan Howard of the Phillies.
Time to spot him in races where he can win. Jack Knowles was basically telling people on the Saratoga backstretch that the Woodward was a prep for the Hawthorne Gold Cup at Arlington, a Grade 2. So hopefully the fans will really have something to cheer about there.
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