Elmont, NY (My Sportsbook) - Funny Cide, winner of the 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, snapped a six-month absence from the winner's circle with a come-from-behind victory in Saturday's $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park. The win was Funny Cide's first Grade 1 stakes triumph since last year's Preakness.
Seven horses went to the starting gate with hopes of running well enough to go on to the Breeders' Cup Classic at Lone Star Park. Pennsylvania Derby winner Love of Money was the morning-line favorite at 5-2 and joined Funny Cide as the 5-2 post-time co-favorites.
Right from the start Love of Money and Funny Cide dueled for the lead in the 1 1/4 mile race. Racing close behind was Newfoundland and Domestic Dispute.
Running up the backstretch the four horses were tightly bunched with the remaining three runners biding their time. Entering the far turn Newfoundland joined Love of Money on the lead with Funny Cide dropping back to third. It appeared that Funny Cide was out of the race.
Heading into the homestretch Newfoundland stuck a nose in front as Love of Money began to tire. Mounting a move from the outside came The Cliff's Edge. Meanwhile, Funny Cide, with Jose Santos in the saddle, found another gear and joined the two leaders.
In the final yards Funny Cide surged past the challengers and posted a 3/4- length victory. Newfoundland finished second with The Cliff's Edge getting third. Completing the order of finish was Evening Attire, Bowman's Band, Love of Money and Domestic Dispute.
The time for the Jockey Club Gold Cup was 2:02.44 on a fast track.
Funny Cide is owned by Sackatoga Stable and trained by Barclay Tagg. The Jockey Club Gold Cup win was worth $600,000 to bring the four-year-old's career earnings to more than $3.1 million. This was Funny Cide's first win since April of this year when he took the Exselcior at Aqueduct. Overall he has won eight of 20 starts.
Funny Cide returned $7.60, $4.80 and $2.50. Newfoundland paid $11.60 and $5.50, and The Cliff's Edge paid $2.90 for show.
