Funny Guy dominates in John Morrissey
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Off his big 4-year-old debut winning the Commentator Stakes last month at Belmont Park, trainer John Terranova briefly considered bringing Funny Guy back Saturday in the Grade 1 Whitney. And the way his New York-bred performed winning Thursday’s $85,000 John Morrissey at Saratoga, Terranova may have wished he had.
Funny Guy remained perfect on the year, and perhaps earned himself a ticket to one of the Grade 1 stakes here later in the season, after cruising to a two-length victory over 25-1 outsider T Loves a Fight in the seven-furlong John Morrissey. My Boy Tate finished third, with the even-money favorite Amundson stopping badly after setting the early pace, finishing last in the field of seven older New York-breds.
With regular rider Joel Rosario aboard, Funny Guy broke alertly and rated just off the early leader, readily gained command before five furlongs, drew well clear when roused near midstretch, and was taken in hand with the outcome no longer in doubt in late stretch. T Loves a Fight raced forwardly placed near the inside, tipped out for the drive, and ran down My Boy Tate to finish second.
Funny Guy is owned in partnership by Gatsas Stables, R A Hill Stable, and Swick Stable. He completed seven furlongs over a fast track in 1:22.08 and returned $6.40. The son of Big Brown is now a four-time statebred stakes winner with earnings of nearly $500,000.
“We considered the Whitney, we went back and forth on it,” Terranova said. “We knew it was going to be a short field but a strong one with decent talent. I just though one more race, I didn’t want to jump on it too soon, but I know there is a [major] race with his name on it out there for him. I think this race today validated his last one [Commentator] and validated him as a 4-year-old as well.”
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Terranova said distance is not an issue for the versatile Funny Guy, who also is stakes-placed on turf.
“He’s really stepped up off the layoff, he’s bigger and stronger, and he has gears, he can turn it on and turn it off when he wants,” said Terranova who mentioned the seven-furlong Forego on Aug. 29 or the 1 1/4-mile Woodward on Sept. 5, both Grade 1 races, as possible options for Funny Guy’s next start.