Shotgun Hottie to Rest for 5-Year-Old Campaign

Owner Jeff Ganje announced Shotgun Hottie , his graded stakes-winning 4-year-old Gun Runner   filly, will be taking a vacation for the next sixty days and will be returning to training in Nov. for her 5-year-old campaign in 2024.

"After talking to Shotgun Hottie's trainer Cherie DeVaux and my partner Omar Aldabbagh, we have decided the best move for Shotgun Hottie's career will be to give her some time off to get ready for what we expect to be a monumental racing campaign next year," Ganje said.

He added: "Shotgun Hottie has proven she can compete with the best fillies and mares in the country, so we will target the most competitive grade 1 stakes races in the country, hopefully culminating with next year's Breeders' Cup Distaff." 

Shotgun Hottie is fresh off the biggest win of her young career in the July 22 $500,000 Molly Pitcher Stakes (G3) at Monmouth Park. Her trainer, Cherie DeVaux, is excited for what's to come in 2024.

"Shotgun Hottie has had an amazing 4-year-old campaign and done everything we've asked of her, including winning two stakes races in her last two starts," said DeVaux. "With a few months rest, she'll be ready to give us her best effort in 2024."

Renowned bloodstock agent, David Ingordo, was positive in his outlook on the filly's future. "Shotgun Hottie is a filly that has it all—looks, conformation, pedigree, and a fantastic high-level racing record. A short break from racing, and she will come back in top form next year," said Ingordo.

Ganje recently announced the creation of a partnership between Shotgun Hottie and Limestone Farm Bourbon after she won her first graded stakes race, capturing the $500,000 Molly Pitcher. Former Heisman Trophy winner and co-owner of Limestone Farm Bourbon, Tim Couch, is looking forward to working with Shotgun Hottie and watching her progress in 2024.

"As professional athletes, we all need time to rest. I'm happy to see Shotgun Hottie will be getting a little well-deserved rest. She has the heart of a champion and will be back better than ever next year," said Couch.

Shotgun Hottie has won five races from fifteen starts with three stakes wins, including a graded stakes win in 2023 and earned $770,607.