The Funny Cide- $200.000 Purse
SAR- For Two Year Olds Foaled In NY
Six and a Half Furlongs on the Dirt
August 28, 2015

The second running of the Funny Cide was pretty much a three horse race.  Three horses broke away from the field while the other three were content to trail behind.   None of those that were in that second pack were able to pass a horse that was in the lead pack.  Ending up in the winners circle is a gelding by Knowledge Geek named Palestinian, who was bred as a yearling.   If today is any indication of what the future might hold for us, then this is definitely a horse to remember, as we will be talking a lot more about him.  It is third win in four career starts, with the only blemish being a second place by less then a length to Grandeur.  You may remember him placing second in the Grade 3 Sanford last month.  As they are both New York breds, we figure to see rematches in their futures.  The proud owner of Palestinian is Nakamura Stables and jockey J Alvarado earns his first Funny Cide trophy.  Let’s take a deeper look at the result!

1st- 4- Palestinian (5/2)- Our eventual race winner had a perfect trip right from the start.  The Nakamura Stables was with the lead pack at the start, but moreso in a stalking position while between both Dj Fireraj and American Winner.  During the turn, he moved his way to the lead, but still had both of his main rivals running well on each side.  At the top of the stretch, Palestinian had plenty left in the tank, and cruised on by Dj Fireraj for the lead.  He would then gracefully pull away from the second and third place runners in impressive fashion considering that both of them were also still in good form.  This is an eye-opening effort by this gelding and his future has to be very bright.  The winning time was 1:15.43.  Palestinian is a two year colt by Knowledge Geek and out of Aint No Other (by Danzing Host).  He was bred in New York by Nakamura Stables as a yearling.  Congratulations to all of the connections!

2nd- 1- Dj Fireraj (6/1)- Strong out of the gate for Night Rider Stables, and would eventually claim the lead to get the distinction of setting the opening fraction in a very reasonable :23.06.  Led the field while running along the rail throughout the turn and into the stretch, but Palestinian was coming, and would eventually drop Dj Fireraj to second.   Did well to hold off American Winner to maintain his second place finish, and all things considered he ran a very strong race tofay.

3rd- 6- American Winner (13/1)- Quickest out of the for Night Mare Racing, and would end up as the outside horse of three wide as the front pack pulled away in the backstretch.  Looked like he was going to time his advance to the lead at the same time as Palestinian, but was not able to do so with the same power in his stride.  He was able to run with the top two for a little while in the stretch, but he gradually started to lose touch in the final furlong.

4th- 5- Above Standard (4/5)-   Our post-time favorite from Mb Stables was the best horse of the secondary pack, starting fourth and about four lengths off the lead.   Continued to lead the second pack around the turn, and did start to move forward in good stride during the stretch, but those in front of him were allowed to get away at slower fractions, and his effort would be all for not, except for the 4th place check.

5th- 3- Henri The Cat (18/1)- The Allinthegate entry did not start well at all, trailing the leaders by over six lengths during the backstretch run, and even conceding two lengths to the secondary pack.   Joined up with this other pack during the turn.  That would be the only move we would see him out of the day, and he was only able to complete one pass.

6th- 2- Man O War (20/1)-   Did not immediately create comparisons of another horse once named this, starting fifth and about a length behind Above Standard.  He never looked comfortable, and when he was passed by Henri The Cat, there was no response from Man O War.  His trainer, D J C Racing Stables, will be hoping for better days.

Track: Fast
Time: :23   :45⁴  1:09¹  1:15²

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 4 – 1 Paid 15.80
$1 Trifecta: 4 – 1 – 6 Paid 377.40

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Ungraded