Poor Funny Cide

griff · Postby **griff** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 3:31 pm

pokeyman

Science agrees SOME primates other than man have a sense of self; however, a horse does not and therefore does not have the mental capacity to even concieve of the future. He can learn some things and can react to anticipated things he has exoerienced; however, however, he has no sense of self andf cannot make decisions about future events

g.

bdw0617 · Postby **bdw0617** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 3:46 pm

sunday_silence wrote:
Rokeby Forever wrote:Tagg has said from Day #1 that Funny Cide hates the turf...so he raced the horse on Keeneland's Polytrack. Go figure, huh?

I never quite understood this, either. Smullen was quoted as saying she thought he really liked the surface in the mornings, before the race. I heard that she told people privately that she knew he wasn't going to run well because he hadn't taken to the polytrack. I knew he wasn't going to run well when I saw he was still fat and out of shape. Go figure.

I'm not that high on Tagg. I think FC is still a very very serviceable horse under the right (jerkins, mandella) circumstances.

HR LLC · Postby **HR LLC** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 4:18 pm

At least he won today at Finger Lakes...

ratherrapid · Postby **ratherrapid** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 4:25 pm

"People are always whining here about why don't we do things for the fans and the sport and capitalize on our equine heroes - so here we are doing that, and what happens? Whining.[/quote]" (geo quote)

that hit me too! they gripe when they retire early and gripe when they continue to race :shock:

.

HR LLC · Postby **HR LLC** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 4:30 pm

There is a segment of the horse racing population that will never be happy...people love to complain...I say keep racing Funny Cide until he has to compete in the claiming ranks...

bdw0617 · Postby **bdw0617** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 4:49 pm

I wouldn't mind him in the claiming ranks...

how many people can say they owned a kentucky derby winner? if he dropped I'd claim him (if i had the money).. shoot, you get him with a decent trainer you might get some of that old form back.

NiteOwl666 · Postby **NiteOwl666** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 4:55 pm

I got to get out there today and see the race. I couldn't believe how packed Fingerlakes was (apparently more than 11k...and they expected only 8k) -- good to see the stands filled. I was just past the finish line, and couldn't really see the stretch run -- but I heard the crowd roar, and sure enough there was Funny Cide crossing under the wire first. (Got myself a decent photo too

) FC seemed to be enjoying himself -- in the paddock he had his ears pricked, taking in his surroundings. Now, i don't mean to take anything away from FC at all, but I was discussing the race with some1 before hand -- do you think that they may have just let him win or worked something out (I know that's illegal and all). But, imagine doing all this big promotional stuff, doubling the purse just to get him to come, all the fans there eager to see him win, for many the only reason they went -- and have him finish off the board or something? I dunno...either way it was a fun time (well, except for dealing with the psychos trying to leave the track...ugh). But, it was good for the fans, good for the track & it's programs (some of the proceeds from the sale of FC stuff went to help their adoption center-- hopefully ppl will comebck

Louise · Postby **Louise** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 4:56 pm

The turnout today was the second highest ever at Finger Lakes. The crowd was happy and excited, and people were standing in long lines to get autographs from the owners, available for a donation. The booth with both Funny Cide merchandise and FLTAP merchandise was busy, busy, busy, and all of the proceeds went directly to the Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program.

I don't know how much the final total will be, but every penny will be used for the benefit of Funny Cide's less well know brothers and sisters. Some of the folks who were introduced to FLTAP for the first time today will, hopefully, remember us, and be interested in either adopting or donating.

The horse was, obviously, in fine form, and it looked like the owners were having a great time. I, for one, am extremely grateful that they brought him to the track. They did a lot of good, and won some money too.

geowarrior · Postby **geowarrior** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 5:36 pm

Thanks for the update NiteOwl and Louise. I'm so glad the fans had a good time and that other horses will benefit from the event too.

I don't think the race was a shoo in for Funny Cide. By all accounts the horse that came in second had more than a fighting chance based on recent form.

Anyway - whiners take note. When we are lucky enough to have horses run long enough to become heroes to the public, as long as the horses enjoy the experience - keep bringing them to the fans. Don't drop them to claiming. Retire them, maintain their dignity and parade them.

Two days after Silver Birch won the Grand National, he was brought back to his home country of Ireland and the Curragh, which in that short space of time arranged a parade for him and provided 5000 Irish Flags to the fans so they could fete him.

Collier Hill, that miracle gelding who started off as a hurdler, and has now won high class stakes all over the world, won his first stakes race at Hamilton in Scotland, which is the course near where I was brought up. A stakes was recently named for him and the horse and his connections made the trip to Hamilton for the event - as you can imagine, a great time was had by all and nothing but credit was reflected on the sport.

A commonality among all these events was that the horses' connections all had a great time. Maybe the party atmosphere, but I bet it's because they know they're doing something positive for the sport.

bdw0617 · Postby **bdw0617** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 5:41 pm

NiteOwl666 wrote:I got to get out there today and see the race. I couldn't believe how packed Fingerlakes was (apparently more than 11k...and they expected only 8k) -- good to see the stands filled. I was just past the finish line, and couldn't really see the stretch run -- but I heard the crowd roar, and sure enough there was Funny Cide crossing under the wire first. (Got myself a decent photo too ) FC seemed to be enjoying himself -- in the paddock he had his ears pricked, taking in his surroundings. Now, i don't mean to take anything away from FC at all, but I was discussing the race with some1 before hand -- do you think that they may have just let him win or worked something out (I know that's illegal and all). But, imagine doing all this big promotional stuff, doubling the purse just to get him to come, all the fans there eager to see him win, for many the only reason they went -- and have him finish off the board or something? I dunno...either way it was a fun time (well, except for dealing with the psychos trying to leave the track...ugh). But, it was good for the fans, good for the track & it's programs (some of the proceeds from the sale of FC stuff went to help their adoption center-- hopefully ppl will comebck

let me put it this way.... there is a reason I wouldn't touch finger lakes with someone elses bankroll

wilf · Postby **wilf** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 5:44 pm

As an owner/trainer I get where you are coming from Pokey, however he has led an interesting life and seems sound enough , who knows , 5 minutes out in a field and he may self destruct. I raced a gelding until he was 14 and he won that year, it took him a long while to get the track out of his system as he loved the routine so much. Funny Cide was a great draw when he went up to Woodbine last year and will be a joy to many fans at Finger Lakes.

Heidilady · Postby **Heidilady** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 7:25 pm

I say they set up an all gelding invitational. You could have Funny Cide, Evening Attire, an outside-of-Cali Lava Man, Brass Hat, Commentator, Perfect Drift... who else? Another two or three and you have one heck of a race with horses who've all got skills, none of whom are spring chickens, and the fans would absolutely turn into groupies with the expectation of the matchup. I know I'm forgetting some classy geldings. Get the right distance and have at it.

Everybody gets $50,000 just to show up, the winner gets $250,000 and a gold cup (plus bragging rights) with prize money for the top four. A percentage of the handle going to charity. You can increase the purse but I wasn't sure what to put it at...is $500,000 more realistic? Just some big prize with the main goal a meeting of these incredible horses that everyone loves, it's for the horses and the fans at the same time. I'd like to make it worth the connection's while without going overboard.

oliverstoned · Postby **oliverstoned** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 7:33 pm

Heidilady that is a damn fine idea!

bdw0617 · Postby **bdw0617** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 8:02 pm

Heidilady wrote:I say they set up an all gelding invitational. You could have Funny Cide, Evening Attire, an outside-of-Cali Lava Man, Brass Hat, Commentator, Perfect Drift... who else? Another two or three and you have one heck of a race with horses who've all got skills, none of whom are spring chickens, and the fans would absolutely turn into groupies with the expectation of the matchup. I know I'm forgetting some classy geldings. Get the right distance and have at it.

Everybody gets $50,000 just to show up, the winner gets $250,000 and a gold cup (plus bragging rights) with prize money for the top four. A percentage of the handle going to charity. You can increase the purse but I wasn't sure what to put it at...is $500,000 more realistic? Just some big prize with the main goal a meeting of these incredible horses that everyone loves, it's for the horses and the fans at the same time. I'd like to make it worth the connection's while without going overboard.

Better talk now

bdw0617 · Postby **bdw0617** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 8:03 pm

Heidilady wrote:I say they set up an all gelding invitational. You could have Funny Cide, Evening Attire, an outside-of-Cali Lava Man, Brass Hat, Commentator, Perfect Drift... who else? Another two or three and you have one heck of a race with horses who've all got skills, none of whom are spring chickens, and the fans would absolutely turn into groupies with the expectation of the matchup. I know I'm forgetting some classy geldings. Get the right distance and have at it.

Everybody gets $50,000 just to show up, the winner gets $250,000 and a gold cup (plus bragging rights) with prize money for the top four. A percentage of the handle going to charity. You can increase the purse but I wasn't sure what to put it at...is $500,000 more realistic? Just some big prize with the main goal a meeting of these incredible horses that everyone loves, it's for the horses and the fans at the same time. I'd like to make it worth the connection's while without going overboard.

that's a million dollar pure type field. there are no losers in that field.