A few observations..................

[MO]

I did not bet on the Preakness, but I am glad that Funny Cide won so convincingly. He is the best horse in this very, very weak crop. (I mean, how bad is the rest of this crop - [figures not withstanding] - if FC - a NY bred gelding -  can beat them racing on the wrong lead?)

He has a shot at the triple crown, and not just because he has won the 1st 2 legs, but because he is New York based. Only New York based horses have won the Triple Crown. (Affirmed raced as a 2 yo in Saratoga)

However, he still has that bad habit of switching back to his wrong lead in the stretch.

The extra distance and the lead change problem might be his undoing. I hope not. I\'d like to see him win.

If FC wins the TC, it would be great for the SPORT, great for New York (The capitol of the world folks - not Louisville), but would do absolutely nothing for the BREED, which is already diminished by the influence of \"get rich quick\" speed types who lack durability. There will be fewer horses running in the next couple of years due to the foaling problems in KY the last few years. That means smaller fields.

Let\'s hope Funny Cide wins at Belmont so that racing will have something to feel good about, even if it only lasts a few minutes.

(BTW,I think I was the first to point out here that Peace Rules would 0-2-x).

[alm]

If FC\'s winning the TC this year does nothing for the breed, it won\'t be because he is a speedy horse, but only because he is gelded.

His bloodlines are far more solid than they appear at first glance.

His sire may be one of the next great ones...this was predicted before his foals started racing, and he has performed even better than some experts thought that he would.  (remember, Storm Cat started out as an overlooked stallion)

On the dam\'s side are a lot of stamina influences that don\'t meet the eye at first glance...you have to think about them, who they were, what they did, and what sort of offspring they have had.

A couple of us went over this two weeks ago, following the Derby and it is clear that FC has far more stamina in his background than Empire Maker, although EM is mentioned over and over again in the press as being the logical horse to win the Belmont.

We will see about that.

In any case, FC seems to be a speedy horse in the mold of Affirmed, not War Emblem or Spend A Buck, which is what you seemed to be saying in your post.

His switching leads is a questionable thing, however, since it can indicate some sort of unsoundness.  But I am reminded of the comment of the trainer who broke a filly for me years ago.  He said \"she wings, but she wings fast.\"

FC may or may not have a problem, but it is a fast problem.

[Michael D.]

I share your concern about the \"get rich quick\" speed types dominating racing. You are not familiar with the pedigree of FC however. Included in his family tree, among others, are Northern Dancer, Seattle Slew, Buckpasser, Graustark, and Tom Rolfe (stamina influences everywhere). I tossed the horse in the Derby simply because he was a NY bred gelding, probably the worst handicapping decision I have ever made. Twelve furlongs is tough for any young three year old, and the horse is no lock, but I doubt he pulls a major fade job like some of the other speed types in past years.

[JR]

Well, of course, being from the capital of the world, you should be the first to point that out.

[JR]

Right on, alm. I believe FC has the best stamina breeding of the whole bunch. Ribot top and bottom in his 5th generation.

[MO]

LOL

[MO]

Michael,

I wasn\'t knocking Funny Cide\'s bloodlines, just that the breed in general is weak.

[MO]

alm,

I was referring strictly to the gelding issue.

[JR]

What\'s the knock?