Gunite Wins Perryville, Could Run Back in Breeders' Cup
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Gunite wins the Perryville Stakes at Keeneland
All eyes were on a dark bay son of Gun Runner Oct. 22 at Keeneland and the 3-year-old colt named Gunite performed as predicted—rolling home to a 3 3/4-length win in the $250,000 Perryville Stakes.
Saddled by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, the colt broke smoothly into third with Provocateur and Of a Revolution leading the early charge through a quarter in :22.38. These two runners stayed 1-2 as the clock hit :45.82 for a half-mile.
With the stretch run to come, Gunite and Tyler Gaffalione moved into action, passing up the leaders easily and gaining ground in 1:10.56. Despite bids from Hoist the Gold and B Dawk , neither were able to match the winner's speed.
Gunite ($3.24) hit the wire with seven furlongs completed on a fast track in 1:23.21 to improve his record to 6-4-1 from 12 starts. His earnings improved to $965,934 for owner Winchell Thoroughbreds.
Hoist the Gold was second and B Dawk was third. Brendan Walsh trainee Pinehurst , winner of the 2021 Runhappy Del Mar Futurity (G1) for prior trainer Bob Baffert, was scratched at the gate by the stewards on the advice of the track veterinarian.
Gunite could potentially run made a short turnaround into the Breeders' Cup, either into the Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) or the Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1), both Nov. 5. Asmussen intends to evaluate the colt and make a decision by Oct. 24.
"He was within himself and finished up (well). It was an excellent time considering the times that have been laid down here recently, and I think that's a great sign because we definitely are considering running him back in the Breeders' Cup," Asmussen said.
"There's not a seven-eighths, and that's kind of been his specialty, but the way he went through the wire, we'll ask him that question. Monday is the pre-entries, and we'll go from there."
The connections of Gunite in the winner's circle
The trainer mentioned that the colt's running style has only improved in his last couple of starts, with the Perryville being one of his best efforts.
"Today he seemed extremely comfortable with where he was at. He waited for Tyler's cue and went about his business perfectly...more so today than other times," Asmussen said. "The company and circumstances, perfect draw, not a tremendous amount of pace in the race.
"He's such a fun horse to run. He's such a professional. He's kept the highest level for a long period of time and if anything, he's getting better at races...You could see the confidence in him with not being in a hurry to get there."
The colt has not placed worse than second in any of his starts this year including a win in the July 31 Amsterdam Stakes (G2) at Saratoga Race Course and a runner-up finish in the Aug. 27 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes (G1), also at the Spa.
Last year at 2, he won the prestigious Hopeful Stakes (G1) at Saratoga.
Bred by Winchell in Kentucky, Gunite is the first foal out of the multiple stakes-placed Cowboy Cal mare Simple Surprise , who also has a 2-year-old filly named Surprise Attack , a yearling Copper Bullet filly, and a 2022 Tapiture filly. She was bred back to Gun Runner for 2023.