Reigning Horse of the Year Funcaandun is set to make his highly anticipated 2025 debut in the Ian Levy Cup, a Graded Stakes contest for three-year-olds and upward, on tomorrow’s 10-race card.

This year’s Ian Levy Cup has taken on added importance, as the winner will earn automatic entry into the prestigious 2025 Mouttet Mile. The Mouttet Mile, scheduled for December, will carry a purse of US$300,000.

Funcaandun, trained by Jason DaCosta, will face stiff competition from seven other talented horses, including Barnaby,
Tiz Tok, Commandant, and Atomica. The Ian Levy Cup, with a purse of $4 million, will be contested over 8½ furlongs (1,600m).

As the reigning Horse of the Year and 2024 Mouttet Mile champion, Funcaandun is undoubtedly one of the top contenders for the Ian Levy Cup. Will he make a triumphant return to the track and secure his spot in the Mouttet Mile?

Below is an analysis of the runners and their chances of winning.

1. BARNABY (USA): (4 b c by Tapiture – Giants Diva) – This talented colt impressed with a three-length win in the Chairman’s Trophy over 7½ furlongs (1,500m) on February 22 in a time of 1:31.3. He’s expected to perform well in the Ian Levy Cup, especially with the added distance. Barnaby has demonstrated his ability to compete at a high level and his impressive performance in the Chairman’s Trophy has marked him as a top contender for the Ian Levy Cup. Barnaby’s training has been going well, and he’s expected to do his best here.

2. TIZ TOK (USA): (5 b h by Tiznow – Weekend Prospect) – Tiz Tok dominated the Lloyd Lindbergh “Lindy” Delapenha Memorial Trophy, winning by 6¼ lengths over one mile on February 23 in a time of 1:39.0. Tiz Tok’s impressive performance in the Lloyd Lindbergh “Lindy” Delapenha Memorial Trophy has made him a force to be reckoned with in the Ian Levy Cup. Tiz Tok has been training well for this race and is expected to be one of the top contenders for the trophy.

3. COMMANDANT (USA): (5 b h by Girvin – Alotofappeal) – With two consecutive wins under his belt, Commandant is a force to be reckoned with here. If he can replicate his last performance, where he won by 5¼ lengths in 1:24.2 in the Alexander Hamilton Memorial Trophy over 7 furlongs on March 15, he’s a top contender for the win.
Commandant’s recent winning streak has marked him as a horse to beat in the Ian Levy Cup. Commandant’s training has been going well, and he’s expected to do his best, as well.

4. RUN JULIE RUN: (4 gr f by Successful Native – Runaway Julie) – This capable filly has won six races from 16 career starts. However, she faces competition from the foreign contenders and is unlikely to come out on top. While Run Julie Run has shown promise in her career, she lacks the talent to compete with the top contenders in the Ian Levy Cup.
Run Julie Run is expected to do her best, but it’s unlikely to be enough to beat the foreign contenders.

5. POWER FROM ABOVE: (5 ch m by Key To Power – Blufield) – Unfortunately, Power From Above has little chance of winning and is largely in the race to make up numbers. Power From Above lacks the talent and experience to compete with the top contenders in the Ian Levy Cup. Power From Above is only in the race with the hope of going home with a minor share of the pie.

6. FURTHER AND BEYOND: (7 ch h by Blue Pepsi Lodge – Rumble) – Past his prime and unlikely to make an impact on the outcome of the race. Further and Beyond has seen better days, and his recent performances have been disappointing.

7. ATOMICA: (6 ch m by Nuclear Wayne – Honkeytonkville) – A former two-time Horse of the Year,
Atomica is winless from two starts this season so far. While she’ll run her best race, she’s unlikely to keep up with the foreign contenders. Atomica’s decline in ability has made it difficult for her to compete at the same level as the top contenders.
Atomica is expected to run her honest race, but once the foreigners are ready to do damage, Atomica is going to be found wanting.

8. FUNCAANDUN (USA): (5 b c by Klimt – Fiftyshadesoffun) – Pulled off an impressive upset win in the Mouttet Mile last December, showcasing his exceptional talent. With strong training under his belt, Funcaandun is well-positioned to repeat his victory in the Ian Levy Cup. In the Mouttet Mile, Funcaandun won by a narrow neck from Legacy Isle and
Commandant, covering the one-mile distance in an impressive 1:38.4. Notably, Further and Beyond, Tiz Tok, Barnaby, and Atomica also finished behind Funcaandun that day. Facing the same talented field in the Ian Levy Cup, Funcaandun is expected to draw upon his previous success and deliver another outstanding performance. His training has been going exceptionally well leading up to this race, and he is poised to make a strong impact.