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Originally Posted by Cunningham Racing
This is easy....Funny Cide is BY FAR the most over-hyped Thoroughbred of the modern era...he captured the American public after winning a weak renewal of both the Derby and Preakness (especially since Empire Maker was crippled in the Derby), and he has struggled to beat NYRA-breds and Gr. III compant since - without any significant excuse.
He simply is just not a very good horse and happened to peak at the right time in May of 2003 - similar to Giacomo in last year's Derby, although everybody knew Giacomo was a fraud at the time....the difference is that people were really convinced that Funny Cide was a true Champion of the ages during his run through the Triple Crown races - while most savvy analysts knew that Empire Maker was the best of that subpar group of 3-year-olds.
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I think Funny Cide was over rated, but I dont think anyone heralded him as the next superhorse. He ran a good race in the Wood, a very good race in the Derby and was lights out at Pimlico. That was his peak right there, calling him a fraud and comparing him to Giacomo is off base.
The sport was denied a chance at a legitimate Triple Crown winner in Afleet Alex last year partly because the owners of Bandini threw the glorified quarter horse Spanish Chestnut out there to light the pace on fire and Giacomo practically collapsed across the line, coming home in like 25 or 26 and change.
Funny Cide, ran a solid race, held a few lengths off Peace Rules and made a well timed move, passing in the stretch AND digging in to hold off Empire Maker.