Return to the Winner’s Circle
Funny Cide snapped an eight-race losing streak with a win on Sunday in the Kings Point Stakes at Aqueduct. “It has been a long time,” said Sackatoga managing partner Jack Knowlton. “We’re just happy to get him back into the winner’s circle.” The Kings Point was restricted to NY-breds; Sunday was the first time since his two-year-old season that Funny Cide raced in restricted company. After taking an early lead, Funny Cide faded in the stretch, but then showed his old fighting spirit, gamely coming back to put away Gold and Roses, who finished second.
Before Sunday, the last race Funny Cide won was the 2004 Jockey Club Gold Cup, in which he appeared to stop as the field entered the final turn and then fought his way to the lead in the stretch. It was a thrilling victory, but one that was unfortunately followed by a string of performances so lackluster that many said the gelding should be retired. If nothing else, Funny Cide’s Kings Point win proves he’s still competitive. That he continues to race is good for the sport, and not just because Funny Cide can still draw a crowd. As Steven Crist writes in a recent column:
