[horseofcourse]

In essence, I think Funny Cide ran his race. If the Beyer was really 111 for Premium Tap, Funny Cide's was in the low 90s which isn't really far from his normal effort this year...mainly mid-upper 90s and one plus 100 effort in the Excelsior. And 80s in the Mr Prospector and GPH. I cant' fault the owners for running this race. They want to run in Saratoga and they did. But in his 8 races this year, 6 of them have been grade 3s, restricted or allowance races. It is not like they are stepping him up every single race.

HIs good races this year have been when he has gotten a clear lead. He does not do well when he doesn't. When he steps up like the Woodward and GPH and the horses are too good where he can't get a clear lead he struggles mightily. Not that the Woodward was a great field...which is another reason Funny Cide entered...no Invasor etc. Running against Nolan's Cat, Arch Hall, Crytpgraph, Summer Book, Gold and Roses is not the same as Premium Tap, Sun King, Second of June, Flower Alley.

And he wasn't the only one with a bad finish. If you said before the race funny Cide would finish a head back of Flower Alley and 2 lengths ahead of Suave...you would be saying that is probably a top 3 or 4 finish for sure.

But in reality, the effort was not far from his regular efforts this year...just a better field in the race which made it look worse.