Funny Cide returns to winner's circle at Aqueduct

Last updated: 4/30/06 8:25 PM

Funny Cide returned to his wining ways on Saturday
(Debra Kral/Horsephotos.com)

Sackatoga Stable’s champion FUNNY CIDE (Distorted Humor) set slow splits
while alone on the lead, faced a challenger and was headed in the stretch, but
proved gamest late in taking the $68,875
Kings Point H. for New York-breds at Aqueduct on Sunday.
The Barclay Tagg charge, who was winless in eight starts going back to 2004, set
splits of :24 2/5 and :49 for the half-mile before being tested by second choice
Gold and Roses (Gold Token) throughout the stretch. Ridden by Richard Migliore,
the six-year-old gelding was dead game and proved he still has plenty of fight in him,
completing the 1 1/8 miles in 1:50 2/5 as the 3-5 choice while keeping his
challenger at bay.

“I’m more tired from trying to pull him up,” Migliore stated. “I thought I
was going to have to go around again.”

The winner paid $3.20 and $2.10, while the exacta with Gold and Roses
three-quarters of a length back paid a skimpy $5. It was another 3 1/4 lengths
farther back to Win With Beck (Personal Flag), who was followed by Delta Sea (Sea
Hero). Mike’s Greenfields (Slew City Slew) was withdrawn.

Funny Cide boosted his bankroll to $3,314,144 from a 29-9-6-5 lifetime
record. The chestnut amassed wins in the 2003 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness
S. (G1), and also came out victorious in the following year’s Jockey Club Gold
Cup S. (G1), which was his last win prior to Sunday. The gelding was second in
the Excelsior Breeders’ Cup H. (G3) most recently.

Also at Aqueduct on Sunday, Brian and Kerry Novak’s NO REASON (Precise End)
moved three-wide turning for home and outkicked pacesetter Little Miss Zip (City
Zip) to the wire en route to a three-quarters of a length win in the $100,000
Park Avenue Division of the New York Stallion S. Trained by Steve Asmussen and
piloted by Channing Hill, the three-year-old lass was in hand while wide early
but proved who was best on this day with a sharp run from off the pace,
finishing off six furlongs in a swift 1:10 3/5. Disregarded at 14-1, the heroine
paid $30, $12 and $6.70 while topping the $149.50 exacta and $2,319 trifecta.

Little Miss Zip stayed on to earn the place spot at 7-2, while 30-1 longshot Artistic Express (Western Expression) closed well on the inside to
conclude the trifecta. Magic Momentum (Mighty Magee) was next to complete the
6-5-4-9 $18,102 superfecta and was followed by Tamberino (Freud), Gone Goodbye
(Gone For Real), Stand by the Phone (Phone Trick), Appetizer (Tomorrows Cat),
Motor City Mama (City Zip) and Vasa (City Zip).

No Reason now boasts a mark of 8-3-2-0 with earnings of $148,412. The miss
placed in the Fifth Avenue S. last year.

Seven Furlong Farm’s PRINCE OF PEACE (Regal Classic) persevered in the lane
to collar a loose One Way Flight (Precise End) in taking the $100,000
Times
Square Division of the New York Stallion S. Tracking slightly off the pace
beneath Fernando Jara, the colt commenced his run turning for home and looked
beaten in midstretch, but gamely got up by a neck at the wire, finishing seven
panels in 1:23. The Michael Miceli pupil paid a healthy $31.40, $7.50 and $4.40
while keying the $90.50 exacta and $407 trifecta.

One Way Flight looked a sure winner turning for home but tired late, settling
for the place at even-money while paying $3 and $2.60. Say Tomorrow (Tomorrows
Cat) was another four lengths in arrears, worth $3.50 for the show at 6-1.
Classic Pack (Regal Classic) was fourth and trailed by Sly Diamond Jim (Good and
Tough), Strummer (Phone Trick) and Rodeo Rising (Rodeo).

The sophomore colt has now banked $106,037 from a 8-2-1-2 career mark. This
was the stakes debut for Prince of Peace.