7/4: Wadsworth Mem. to Funny Cide

[MisterB]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

Yeah, they're just doing this because "the horse wants to run." Easy to say when he's a gelding.

I don't care what the purse is, when a former Kentucky Derby winner can't win anywhere better than Finger Lakes, it's pitiful.

Why?, he ran in 100k optional claimers. FL will get a 6,000 plus attendance to see a Derby and Preakness winner. People still want to see the horse run. If he does well, they will write a race for him at the Spa too. Will that be sad also??

[sumitas]

What is so sad about FC running in a $100k stakes @ FL ? I don't get it.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by sumitas

What is so sad about FC running in a $100k stakes @ FL ? I don't get it.

It's ****ing FINGER LAKES! Look at the horses he's facing! How difficult is it to understand why that's gross for a Kentucky Derby winner?

[Swale84]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

It's ****ing FINGER LAKES! Look at the horses he's facing! How difficult is it to understand why that's gross for a Kentucky Derby winner?

Where do you draw the line? Would the Mass Cap at Suffolk in the fall be beneath a Derby winner?

[Danzig]

have to wonder how many derby winners over time would be toiling along like funny cide, had they not been rushed to the shed...and how many it would save future generations from, had they shown they didn't really have what it took to 'improve' the breed...

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by Swale84

Where do you draw the line? Would the Mass Cap at Suffolk in the fall be beneath a Derby winner?

You're comparing a $250,000 G2 to a $100,000 ungraded stake at Finger Lakes?

He would be facing at least a few real handicap horses in the Mass 'Cap. LOOK AT WHO HE'S FACING IN HERE!!!

Originally Posted by Shadow Roll

What's the horse supposed to do? Act all dignified and sit on his laurels?

If they're not going to retire him, this is a good spot for him. THAT'S what's sad, that's it's actually the right spot for him.

[Danzig]

i think they should take him to kentucky horse park, let his adoring fans go see him frolic in the sunshine.

[sumitas]

you've made your points. move on. most people feel FC should run in a $100k stakes at FL. if you have anything new to add do so, otherwise why don't you detractors stop bashing FC with the same old tired arguments.

[Swale84]

[quote=ateamstupid]You're comparing a $250,000 G2 to a $100,000 ungraded stake at Finger Lakes?

He would be facing at least a few real handicap horses in the Mass 'Cap. LOOK AT WHO HE'S FACING IN HERE!!!



The Mass Cap is actually $500K this year but is ungraded. Being a few weeks before the Breeders Cup it may not attract anyone no matter what the purse

Other than the Mass Cap the racing at Suffolk is not much better than at Finger Lakes

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

gebbs power won the belmont didnt he...

[Sightseek]

[quote=Swale84]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

You're comparing a $250,000 G2 to a $100,000 ungraded stake at Finger Lakes?

He would be facing at least a few real handicap horses in the Mass 'Cap. LOOK AT WHO HE'S FACING IN HERE!!!



The Mass Cap is actually $500K this year but is ungraded. Being a few weeks before the Breeders Cup it may not attract anyone no matter what the purse

Other than the Mass Cap the racing at Suffolk is not much better than at Finger Lakes

They are incorporating an added money bonus if the horse who wins previously has won a Graded race(s) in hopes of people going for the money and not the grade elsewhere. It will be a decent race for the Sweetnorthernsaint types who don't need graded wins for breeding purposes.

[Suffolk Shippers]

[quote=Swale84]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

You're comparing a $250,000 G2 to a $100,000 ungraded stake at Finger Lakes?

He would be facing at least a few real handicap horses in the Mass 'Cap. LOOK AT WHO HE'S FACING IN HERE!!!



The Mass Cap is actually $500K this year but is ungraded. Being a few weeks before the Breeders Cup it may not attract anyone no matter what the purse

Other than the Mass Cap the racing at Suffolk is not much better than at Finger Lakes

I wouldnt be surprised to see Funny Cide at this years Mass Cap, provided it doesn't turn up tough, like it did in the 90's with Cigar et al...as mentioned above, the added "bonus" money still may not attract anyone, unless they are looking for a paid public work out.

The Mass Cap figures to turn up Funny Cide, Perfect Drift, Evening Attire, Sweetnorthernsaint, Wilko, maybe some more of those types.

Anyways, I have mixed feelings re: FC in the Wadsworth. Anyone who knows me on this board has seen my older rants that Sackatoga should show some sack and just retire the old boy. I haven't changed my stance on that. They have made their investment how many times over and they owe it to the animal to let him walk off gracefully. However, as time goes on, I wonder if they believe that the horse even wants to move on? I just don't think that they are all that naive and couldnt see it or that maybe Tagg wouldnt just come out and say that the horse doesnt want to put the bridle on anymore.

The whole situation to me is odd. I have trouble deciding whether the owners just are foolish and naive and dont see that the horse isnt competitive in *most* spots, and let Tagg find the best spot he can, or they just dont know what else to do with Funny Cide. So, they just run him.

I wish I knew, because personally, I think the horse gave alot to the game and even more to his connections, and it's time to thank the horse for that and just turn him out on retirement for good.

[ShadowRoll]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

It's ****ing FINGER LAKES! Look at the horses he's facing! How difficult is it to understand why that's gross for a Kentucky Derby winner?

Just don't agree. This is no more offensive than a human sports star doing an American Express comercial in the waning years of his career.

The horse apparently isn't what he once was. The goal of his connections is to find a venue in which he can still win. What's the horse supposed to do? Act all dignified and sit on his laurels? Plus, people still love Funny Cide. Hell, I still love Funny Cide. If he came to Delaware or Philly, I'd probably go just to see him.

[ShadowRoll]

But, then, I stood in line a couple of hours just to watch Smarty work, so maybe I'm not the best example.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by ShadowRoll

But, then, I stood in line a couple of hours just to watch Smarty work, so maybe I'm not the best example.

have you NO shame??

[ShadowRoll]

Originally Posted by Danzig

have you NO shame??

I went to the Preakness and the Belmont that year. At the Belmont, just after the race, some reporter from a Philly tv station was in the crowd looking for Philly people to interview. Because I was wearing a Smarty bb cap (which I bought the day I went to see him work), the reporter comes up to me. At first, I was ready to slug her 'cause I was feeling just so bad, but one of my friends (actually, my boss at the time) ran interference for a few seconds so that I was able to gather my emotions. But the reporter was intent on talking to me because of the great visual with the bb cap and all, so she persists in interviewing me. I said something stupid about being used to falling just short for the championship because I was from Philly (and that's what Philly athletes do), and ended with some corny line about waiting 'till next year and living in hope. That night, on the late news (and early the next morning), the station ended the little fluff piece they did on the race with my comments. My fifteen minutes of fame.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by ShadowRoll

Just don't agree. This is no more offensive than a human sports star doing an American Express comercial in the waning years of his career.

The horse apparently isn't what he once was. The goal of his connections is to find a venue in which he can still win. What's the horse supposed to do? Act all dignified and sit on his laurels? Plus, people still love Funny Cide. Hell, I still love Funny Cide. If he came to Delaware or Philly, I'd probably go just to see him.

have to admit, in a way i agree with ateam, it somehow seems unfitting for him to go to finger lakes. that would be like seeing roger clemens finish his career with the arkansas travellers....
by the same token, it's far more gross imo what happened to ferdinand. but hopefully that won't happen in future, as any time a champ is sold overseas, it seems it's now only done with the proviso that he be returned if he is a failure.

[Scav]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

It's ****ing FINGER LAKES! Look at the horses he's facing! How difficult is it to understand why that's gross for a Kentucky Derby winner?

Exactly, it is like Wiggins running at Fairmount.

Well, not really, but I understand your point