How to bet the 2022 Funny Cide Stakes

Six New York-bred juveniles will travel 6 1/2 panels on the Saratoga dirt in Friday’s $200,000 Funny Cide S. The Christophe Clement-trained #1 Acoustic Avenue (5-2) led in gate-to-wire fashion while well backed on debut and gets the nod to make it two-for-two in this heat.

Purchased for $200,000 in the spring, the son of Maclean’s Music broke best in his July 29 unveiling and put his foes to rest in early stretch, as he was eased up inside the final furlong by jockey Manny Franco. The chestnut colt was no secret as the 3-2 betting choice in his initial offering, and he seems poised to add a stakes victory to his ledger on Friday. The February foal shows a pair of solid morning moves in advance of the dash and retains the services of Manny Franco.

#4 Donegal Surges (4-1) didn’t set the teletimer on fire when graduating at first asking on the oval on August 11, but the Pletcher pupil surely looked like the goods from a visual perspective. The $150,000 son of Candy Ride rallied from off the pace en route to a 5 1/2-length score on that day, and the bay figures to receive a swift pace to rally into while making his stakes debut. Jose Ortiz will be in the silks once again atop the win contender.

Morning-line choice #5 Andiamo A Firenze (4-5) romped on debut at Belmont Park prior to registering a good third-place result in the Sanford S. (G3) at The Spa for conditioner Kelly Breen. The Speightstown homebred possesses big early speed and is well drawn outside of the top selection, and the dark bay has also been training in rapid fashion recently. The April foal will be a small price, however, and I will try to beat him in the top slot of my wagers. Irad Ortiz will be in the controls atop the talented dark bay colt.

Funny Cide Wagers

• $10 win and place: #1 Acoustic Avenue ($20)
• $5 exacta: key box 1 with 4,5 ($20)
• $5 trifecta: key 1 with 4,5 ($10)