Syndergaard blows them away in Funny Cide Stakes
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – What projected to be a two-horse race between a couple of highly touted and unbeaten New York-bred 2-year-olds turned into a one-sided runaway for 3-5 favorite Syndergaard, who drew off to a dominant 10 1/4-length victory over 6-5 Bobby On Fleek in the $190,000 Funny Cide Stakes, which kicked off Friday’s New York Showcase Day program at Saratoga.
Syndergaard, a son of Majesticperfection trained by Todd Pletcher, broke alertly and used his abundant speed to control the 6 1/2-furlong Funny Cide from start to finish. Syndergaard set a fast pace but did so well within himself, posting splits of 21.52 seconds and 44.35 for the opening quarter and half-mile. Bobby On Fleek, who defeated open company winning his debut at Belmont Park, took a mild run at the leader on the final turn but proved no match, with Syndergaard steadily increasing his winning margin while kept under urging by jockey John Velazquez to the wire.
Gold for the King finished third, another three lengths behind the tiring Bobby on Fleek, with Tribecca bringing up the rear in the scratch-reduced field of four.
Syndergaard completed the distance in 1:16.75 over a muddy strip and paid $3.40.
“He trained very well coming out of his debut ,and we were optimistic coming into the race,” Pletcher said. “We felt like it was going to be an interesting matchup with Bobby On Fleek, but our horse has got so much early speed that he kind of forced everyone to chase him a little bit. But as fast as he’s going, Johnny said he was doing it within himself with his ears pricked and felt comfortable. He came with the heater today.”
Pletcher said the Grade 1 Champagne on Oct. 8 at Belmont could be possible for Syndergaard’s next start.
“He’s run well enough in both of his starts, it’s worth the conversation,” Pletcher said.