Funny Cide’s wild ride beats field in Gold Cup

Funny Cide stormed into the lead down the stretch and pulled away for a sweet victory in the rain in the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park in New York on Saturday.

Just like that, the 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner had that elusive victory over the same wet racetrack where he suffered his cruelest defeat — a loss in the Belmont Stakes that ended his Triple Crown bid.

Funny Cide won in highly unusual fashion. The New York bred took a brief lead early on, dropped back to third near the far turn and looked as if he was ready to fall out of contention before the field turned for home.

Running between rivals, the horse recovered, fighting his way past The Cliff’s Edge, who was rallying on the outside, and Newfoundland, who was leading on the inside. Funny Cide crossed the finish line with a three-quarters of a length victory.

Funny Cide stole the show, covering 1 1/4 miles in 2:02.44, with Newfoundland second. The Cliff’s Edge was third, followed by Evening Attire, Bowman’s Band, Love of Money and Domestic Dispute.

Frankel takes two at Santa Anita

Light Jig came from off the pace with a big move in the stretch to win the Yellow Ribbon Stakes by a record four lengths, and Lundy’s Liability won the Goodwood Breeders’ Cup Handicap, giving Bobby Frankel a sweep of Santa Anita’s two $500,000 races.

Ridden by Rene Douglas, Light Jig covered 1 1/4 miles in 1:59.28 and paid $4.60, $3.20 and $2.60 as the 6-5 wagering favorite.

In the Goodwood, Lundy’s Liability defeated Total Impact by a head. The Brazilian-bred covered 11/8 miles in 1:48.39 and paid $6.60, $2.60 and $2.20.

Even-money favorite Total Impact, who won the Hollywood Gold Cup, returned $2.20 and $2.10, while Supah Blitz was another two lengths back in third and paid $2.20 to show.

Ashado wins Cotillion Handicap

Ashado beat Ender’s Sister by 2 3/4 lengths in the Cotillion Handicap at Philadelphia Park in her final tuneup before the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Bensalem, Pa.

Freefourinternet wins Gold Cup

Freefourinternet rallied from well off the pace and won a stretch duel, beating Perfect Drift by 1 3/4 lengths in the $750,000 Hawthorne Gold Cup at Stickney, Ill.