Gunite Scores in Maxfield Overnight at Churchill
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Photo: Coady Photography
Gunite prevails over My Prankster and Hoist the Gold in the Maxfield Overnight Stakes at Churchill Downs
Winchell Thoroughbreds' homebred Gunite gamely turned back the challenges of My Prankster and Hoist the Gold in the $160,000 Maxfield Overnight Stakes at Churchill Downs July 3 to earn his first win since last year's Hopeful Stakes (G1).
Trained by Steve Asmussen, the 3-year-old son of Gun Runner returned from an eight-month layoff June 3 and ran second to Conagher , who sizzled seven furlongs in a near track-record 1:20.62 in an allowance optional claimer at Churchill Downs.
Ridden for the first time by Tyler Gaffalione in the Maxfield, Gunite stalked the early leaders in a fence-hugging third through a :23.08 opening quarter and :46.25 half-mile. At the top of the lane, a seam unfurled along the inside and Gunite surged through with little encouragement, dueling with Hoist the Gold the length of the stretch and holding off the late bid of My Prankster by a half-length.
Gunite ($3.80) ran seven furlongs in 1:23.08 on a fast main track.
Favored My Prankster was a head in front of Hoist the Gold in third.
Gunite, who improved his record to 8-3-3-1 with earnings of $438,099, is the first foal out of the stakes-winning Cowboy Cal mare Simple Surprise. She has a 2-year-old full sister to Gunite and a yearling filly by Copper Bullet .