Funny Cide’s Losing Skid Could Come to End Today at Gulfstream

Funny Cide, the 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, will seek his first win in 16 months when he meets Sun King and five others in the ninth race today at Gulfstream Park.

The 6-year-old Distorted Humor gelding, who is owned by Sackatoga Stable and trained by Barclay Tagg, is winless in five starts since winning the Jockey Club Gold Cup on Oct. 2, 2004, at Belmont Park.

In his first start of this year, the New York-bred finished seventh of eight in the Mr. Prospector Handicap, a Grade III, on Jan. 7.

Looking for his second career victory at Gulfstream, Funny Cide will stretch out a mile in today’s $46,000 optional claimer. Edgar Prado will ride and they will break from post four.

Sun King, who won four of 10 in 2005, including the Pennsylvania Derby at Philadelphia Park on Sept. 5, will make his first start since finishing ninth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Oct. 29 at Belmont.

A winner by nearly six lengths in his only other race at Gulfstream, Sun King, a 4-year-old Charismatic horse, will be ridden by Rafael Bejarano. He is trained by Nick Zito for owner Tracy Farmer.

Race of the day: Brecon Beacon, who was last in his main track debut in the San Fernando Breeders’ Cup on Jan. 14, returns to his preferred surface -- turf -- in the seventh at Santa Anita. Patrick Valenzuela will ride the 4-year-old son of Spectrum for trainer Doug O’Neill and a partnership that includes J. Paul Reddam and New York Met catcher Paul Lo Duca in the $60,000 optional claimer at one mile. Seven others are scheduled to run, including Hendrix, who will be coupled in the wagering with Brecon Beacon.

One for the road: Dream Place makes his first start for high percentage trainer Art Sherman and should be tough to handle in his return to Bay Meadows in today’s eighth race. David Lopez will ride the 5-year-old Out Of Place gelding for owner Bob Bone in the $10,000 claimer at one mile.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Jazz Contest and Brite But Wild in the first, Indian Flare in the second and Charlaine’s Pride, Takeit Tour, Red Haute and Our Wildest Moment in the third.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 5/78. Money: (previous day/meet total): $26.60/$509.20. Total money bet: $460.