Reprinted from TDN
Gun Runner (c, 2, Candy Ride {Arg}–Quiet Giant, by Giant’s Causeway) remained unbeaten in his two career appearances with a professional first-level allowance victory Saturday afternoon at Keeneland. The chestnut, owned in partnership by Winchell Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farm, had the one previous start under his belt, a rallying 3/4-length victory over Churchill’s one-turn mile Sept. 11. Favored and as low as 2-1 with about 15 minutes until race time, he eased out to be the 7-2 third favorite at the off and used his inside draw to take up a ground saving position for the opening six furlongs. It appeared Ricardo Santana Jr. had an option to switch out three wide around horses for a clear shot at the front at the head of the lane, but he elected to stay inside and he found daylight outside of pacesetting Uncle Jerry (Uncle Mo) and inside of Rafting (Tapit) with a furlong to run. It was all over from there, as Gun Runner came away to a two-length score over Uncle Jerry while never switching over to his correct lead late. A headstrong Rafting carried favored Bandwidth (Mineshaft) out into the first turn, burned around horses to lay second in the middle of the race and finished a green third. Bandwidth, far back after that spot of early trouble, finished a creditable, if well-beaten, fourth. Gun Runner’s dam, a $1-million purchase out of the Ned Evans dispersal at Keeneland November in 2011, is a half-sister to Horse of the Year Saint Liam. Gun Runner is her first foal. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0. O-Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC & Three Chimneys Farm. B-Besilu Stables (KY). T-Steven Asmussen
