Render Judgment Continues Derby Trail in Gun Runner

As 2024 winds to a close, the final opportunity to earn Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying points as a 2-year-old takes place in the $100,000 Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Dec. 21.

A field of five was entered, meaning all the runners are guaranteed at least one point as the top five finishers are awarded on a 10-5-3-2-1 scale.

The only contender who already holds points for the May 3 Derby is Baccari Racing Stable, Dream Walkin Farms, MJM Racing and Rocket Ship Racing's Render Judgment , who earned one point when fifth in the Nov. 30 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs.

That effort was the son of Blame  's second straight at the same 1 1/16-mile distance he will experience Saturday. The Kenny McPeek trainee broke his maiden in his first start at the distance at Churchill Downs Oct. 27.

"I think he had too much left to do at the end (in the Kentucky Jockey Club)," McPeek said. "When he won, he was up closer, and hopefully he'll be in a spot similar to that. Seems like there's some pace in there for him to run at. He's a big, good-looking horse and will appreciate the long stretch."

The only other colt with 1 1/16-mile experience is Winchell Thoroughbreds' Magnitude , who rebounded from a seventh-place finish in the Sept. 14 Iroquois Stakes (G3) with a strong one-length victory in allowance company in his first start around two turns for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen.

Albaugh Family Stables' Admiral Dennis  has posted the highest Equibase Speed Figure in the field, running a 97 in his Nov. 7 maiden-breaking victory by 3 1/2 lengths at Churchill Downs. The son of Constitution   adds an extra sixteenth of a mile for trainer Brad Cox in his stakes debut.

"He's gotten better as the year's gone on," Cox said. "After his first race, his first couple of works were by himself and he didn't really move forward. We put him back in company and he got better."

After finding trouble sprinting on debut, Admiral Dennis broke his maiden at second asking going one mile at Churchill Downs in mid-November.

"I like him," Cox said. "He's a big, good-looking horse. It's his first time going two turns; he should handle it."

Also making their stakes debuts are Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' last-out Keeneland maiden winner Built , trained by Wayne Catalano, and Nice Guys Stables' Chris's Revenge , trained by Brittany Russell.

Cox Aims for Sixth Oaks-Prep Win with California Sunset

A larger field of eight will compete for Kentucky Oaks (G1) qualifying points, on the same 10-5-3-2-1 scale, in the $100,000 Untapable Stakes.

Cox has already won five races on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks with three different horses. Gary and Mary West's California Sunset  will give him a shot at six wins with four horses and his second straight win in the Untapable.

Debuting Sept. 22 at Churchill Downs, the Quality Road   filly finished fourth, a distant 13 1/2 lengths back going a one-turn mile to Claire's Charm , who would come back to run second to Cox's Good Cheer  in the Rags to Riches Stakes. Adding blinkers when stretching out to two turns in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight at Churchill Oct. 27, she dueled in the stretch to win by a neck.

McPeek-trained Golden Gamble  was third, 2 1/2 lengths behind California Sunset in that start. The Laoban filly owned by Fern Circle Stables, Cypress Creek Equine and Magdalena Racing came back stronger in her second career start with a nine-length victory at Churchill Nov. 23.

Six of the eight winners exit maiden victories. Green Lantern Stables' Amarth , trained by Eddie Kenneally, is the lone runner to defeat winners, winning a 1 1/16-mile allowance race at Churchill Nov. 15.