Funny Cide invited to party at Saratoga

NEW YORK – On his first full day of retirement, Funny Cide was invited to a party – next month at Saratoga.

The 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner will make an appearance at Saratoga Race Course on Aug. 10, where racing fans will have a chance to see one of the most popular horses in recent years.

The 7-year-old gelding was retired Friday, nine days after winning the Wadsworth Memorial Handicap at Finger Lakes in upstate New York. Although a near-record 12,000 fans turned out for the race, it was a far cry from his glory days of beating the best of the best in the Derby and the Preakness before finishing third in the Belmont Stakes in a bid to become the first Triple Crown champion since Affirmed in 1978.

Although Funny Cide will no longer compete, the chestnut son of Distorted Humor will remain with trainer Barclay Tagg and assistant trainer Robin Smullen as a stable pony.

Funny Cide, purchased for $75,000 by a bunch of high school pals from Sackets Harbor, N.Y., went on to win 11 of 38 races and earned more than $3.5 million.

Funny Cide won his first career start – in New York, of course – breaking his maiden by 15 lengths on Sept. 8, 2002, at Belmont Park. In 2004, he ran in the Saratoga Breeders’ Cup and finished second as more than 70,000 fans filled the Spa to see their local hero.