Gun Song Takes Aim at Monmouth Oaks

R. Lee Lewis' Gun Song  looked the real deal winning the George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) for trainer Mark Hennig. However, one start later, she would finish a disappointing last of eight in the June 7 Acorn Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course. Whether it was the dreaded bounce effect—running back 21 days after a glittering performance—or the troubled start that could be blamed for her poor Acorn showing, Gun Song sets out on the path toward redemption in the July 27 $250,000 Monmouth Oaks (G3).

Gun Song began her sophomore season with a runner-up finish to Ashland Stakes (G1) winner Leslie's Rose  in an allowance contest at Gulfstream Park before dominating under the same condition stretching out to a mile in her subsequent outing. The Gun Runner   filly was then fourth in the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) with a shoddy break before putting the pieces together in her 3 1/4-length Black-Eyed Susan score.

The class on paper against seven other rivals, a victory in the Monmouth Oaks could put Gun Song back on track for the fall's bigger targets.

Julien Leparoux has the call on Gun Song, the 122-pound high weight.

Kentucky shipper Little Jamie  should give Gun Song her stiffest competition Saturday. The Robert Medina-trained filly enters the 1 1/16-mile Monmouth Oaks off a narrow head defeat to grade 2 winner Chatalas  in the Indiana Oaks (G3) July 6.

Chilled , a big-speed-figure maiden winner last time out, also vans into the Jersey Shore from the Blue Grass State for her stakes debut.