The headline in the racing papers took the wind out of my sails this monring. One of my favorite racehorses, the eternal underdog known as Funny Cide, has been retired from the track by New York trainer Barclay Tagg.

The gelding is seven years old…and retiring sound. He won the Wadsworth Handicap at Finger Lakes Racetrack on July 4th and Tagg wants him to go out on a high note. Most people remember him as the winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. He was the first New York-bred to win the Derby.

It sounds like Tagg will use the gelding as a stable pony for a while. He ruled out retiring the horse to a lifetime of turnout on a retirement setting and even hinted that Funny Cide might make a good showhorse. He certainly has the looks for it.

According to the Blood-Horse, Funny Cide retires with 11 victories from 38 starts, with six seconds and eight thirds, for earnings of $3,529,412. Not bad for a yearling who sold for $20,000.

I hope Funny Cide stays in the news for a long, long time.