In the wake of Barbaro’s demise, Funny Cide remains a marvel for a sport in need of heroes.

“It’s a wonderful part of history. It’s great for the fans, great for the people,” said trainer Nick Zito, who raced 1991 Derby winner Strike The Gold until the age of 5. “I’m a Funny Cide fan. Look, he’s an old man, but on the other hand it’s good for racing. I don’t see any negative. He’s a gelding. I guess when he can’t race, they’ll just retire him.”

“If he wasn’t a gelding, he’d have been in a breeding shed a long time ago,” Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day said. “I think it’s great. It gives those people at Finger Lakes an opportunity to see a Derby winner up close and personal. He’s not just making an appearance, he’s going to participate. I think it’s awesome.”

The Wadsworth is a 1 1/8-mile test for 3-year-olds and up. The regular $50,000 purse for the race was doubled to help attract Funny Cide (the winner’s share will be $60,000), who will be ridden by Alan Garcia.

Funny Cide’s appearance also will help generate funds for the Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program, which assists in placing former Finger Lakes horses in homes after their racing careers have ended. He might even cross paths with Zippy Chippy, who now works as an outrider.

“It’s kind of nice to have a horse around that people are interested in,” said Anne McMahon, who will be at Finger Lakes with her husband. “So many horses win the Derby and are stallion prospects and never race again. His owners are enjoying him, so why not? He’s still got a nice fan base.”

And a legacy that will last forever.

“Funny Cide certainly gave people, little old people, average people, a shot in the arm,” Day said. “When a New York-bred gelding won the Derby, it was an encouragement to all of those who don’t have the big bucks to lay down for multimillion-dollar horses. It was good in that respect and just continues to show the only certainty about horse racing is there isn’t any.”

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