Neat Must Overcome Wide Draw to Win Gun Runner

Despite a large field of 12 entering the $1.5 million Gun Runner Stakes at Kentucky Downs Sept. 8, Neat  will enter the race unmatched in terms of résumé.

The Rob Atras-trained son of Constitution   has won three graded stakes in his last four starts, including the Aug. 2 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes (G2T) at Saratoga Race Course where he earned a career-best 96 Equibase Speed Figure.

Video: National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame S. (G2T)

Owned by Red, White and Blue Racing, Neat has earned $765,630 and is a perfect 3-for-3 at the one-mile distance.

To continue his success, Neat will need to overcome the far outside starting position. In 12 races held at one mile through Kentucky Downs' first four days, no horse further outside than post 6 has won, with gates 7-12 a combined 0-4-7 from 62 starters. Post 12 is 0-1-1 from five appearances. Atras is hopeful that trend will break.

"I think we have enough tactical speed where he can be close and he can tuck in and save some ground," Atras said.

Those stats also do not help Klein Racing's Brilliant Berti , who breaks from post 8. Although not as decorated as Neat, Brilliant Berti was awarded 9-5 favoritism over Neat's 7-2, likely due to his last four starts equaling or bettering Neat's best Equibase Speed Figure.

The Cherie DeVaux-trained son of Noble Mission  saw his three-race win streak snapped Aug. 11 when second to grade 1 winner Trikari  in the Secretariat Stakes (G2T) at Colonial Downs.

The Gun Runner is race 10 with post time at 5:25 CT.