You miss the point (maybe because you’re still young)
[QUOTE=Drvmb1ggl3;2543355]
I have absolutely no problem with once great horses making appearances at small tracks for the fans. Red Rum and Desert Orchid were carted all over the place, and thousands showed up. Seattle Slew did a couple of laps at Longacres, right at the height of his prowess, so that the locals of the city he was named after could have a chance to see him. Silky Sullivan made regular appearances at Santa Anita. They were not dropped in class though.
I still think seeing a Derby and JCGC winner slumming it in a $100k stake is kinda sad (and yes, $100k is a minor pittance in todays world of multi-million dollar races), it just illustrates how far he has fallen. I would have prefered to have seen him retired with a bit of dignity myself, he more than deserved it. I think there would have been an outcry if a horse like Desert Orchid was trotted out in less than top races.
I had huge hopes for Funny Cide, a gelding almost winning the TC, hed be around for years, I thought we finallly had another John Henry-Kelso-Forego, so yeah I dont exactly get excited about seeing where he is now.[/QUOTE]
I suppose every all-star athlete or Olympic star should retire with “dignity” when they are no longer able to perform at the level that they originally became famous at. Yup - they should just quit doing what they’re better than most at. Never mind playing on the company ball team, forget running 10k’s cause it feels good to be out running with the crowd. In fact - they should all just stop doing what they’re good at, because it’s dissapointing to their shallow fans who don’t want to have to watch them perform when they’re no longer at their peak!?!
Let’s just hope that when YOU get a little older and are not so excellent at whatever it is you’re excellent at, that you remember to retire with dignity instead of continuing at a pace that you can stiil be successful at.
Funny Cide’s appearance at Finger Lakes breathed new life into a sport that desperately needs heroes. In addition, his presence brought attention and financial support to retiring thoroughbreds by aiding the Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program. Sounds like Funny Cide and his people are actually giving something back. Undignified? Hardly.
Besides that, he is still quite an exceptional horse with undeniable talent. At the age of 5 he had a nagging back problem that had to be overcome withtime and treatment. It isn’t fair to ask or expect a horse to compete at his previous level intil he’s ready. Every racehorse (or athlete, for that matter) needs a confidence-builder at some time. He got a good one.
I was at the races that day. And I’ve seen some good horses win some big races.
But the crowd at Finger Lakes cheered for Funny Cide like you wouldn’t believe. For nearly 2 minutes you could not hear yourself scream because of all the yelling around you. Funny Cide won and he knew he won. I was not far from Robin, and I saw her eyes well up with tears. She was genuinely moved by Funny’s performance and the support of the fans. They loved that he won, and I believe that they would have cheered for him even if he had not beaten the nice (local) Johnie Bye Night. At many of the “big” races, you don’t get nearly the reaction he got here.
Believe me, when the crowd of 12,000 roared for the “gutsy gelding” and the mob of owners spilled out in front of the winner’s circle, his dignity was certainly never in question.
Shame on you for implying such.
It was the Hollywood Gold Cup for Lava Man and the great Diver, so it’s held at Hollywood Park, 
