The Pride of New York
– That would be Funny Cide, in the words of Finger Lakes announcer Ross Morton, winning the Wadsworth Memorial Handicap in leisurely style this afternoon. Breaking slowly from the gate, jockey Alan Garcia settled Funny Cide into fifth down the backstretch, well off the lead and to the outside, letting second favorite Johnie Bye Night set moderate fractions alone on the lead before turning even-money Funny Cide loose in the stretch to win by three lengths. A packed grandstand applauded as the gutsy gelding returned to the winner’s circle, his first trip to one since last year’s Dominion Day Stakes at Woodbine.
– At Belmont, a speed duel with Rondo cooked favored Commentator in the Tom Fool. The first quarter was run in :22.07, the second in :21.92. “If you look at 10,000 races, you’ll never see that again,” said Commentator’s trainer Nick Zito after. “A ’21’ second quarter? Have you ever heard of that?” The third slowed to :24.55, but the first half proved too much for the favorite, who tired and finished third. High Finance, never more than half a length off the pace, got the win; Awesome Twist was second by a neck. Trainer Rick Violette is already considering the Forego Handicap for High Finance’s next start.
– Eleven minutes to the Dwyer and Any Given Saturday is the 7-5 favorite and Nobiz Like Showbiz, at 8-5, is wearing front bandages for the first time …
