Guns Loaded Keeps Improving in San Simeon

Guns Loaded keeps getting asked for more, and keeps getting better and better.



On April 2, the 5-year-old gelding stepped into graded stakes company for the first time since his 2-year-old season and excelled again running down the hillside turf course at Santa Anita Park to win the $100,000 San Simeon Stakes (gr. IIIT). 



The son of D'wildcat trained by Doug O'Neill rated just off the pace of early leader Mr. Sexy, took command at the top of the lane and held off a late closing effort from Cape Wolfe to win by a 1 1/4 lengths. Grade III winner No Silent completed the trifecta, another half-length back.



It was Guns Loaded's third straight victory, following scores in an off-the-turf allowance race and the Joe Hernandez Stakes last time out Feb. 28.



With jockey Rafael Bejarano aboard, Guns Loaded was 1 1/2 lengths back as Mr. Sexy ran fractions of :21.70 and :43.66 through a half-mile, and he surged to the wire in 1:13.33 for the about 6 1/2-furlong race on firm turf.



"We knew Mr. Sexy was the only speed in the race, so I just tried to make sure Guns Loaded broke well," Bejarano said. "I put him in the right position right away and after that, I was done. I sat right off the speed and when I was ready, I let him go. It was easy for him.



Off as the 8-5 favorite, Guns Loaded paid $5.40, $3.60, and $2.60 across the board. Cape Wolfe delivered $5 and $4, and No Silent brought $4.20 to show.

Hay Dude came in fourth, followed by Producer, Outside Nashville, Mr. Sexy, Aotearoa, and Il Fornaio, to complete the order of finish.



Bred in Florida by Equest Thoroughbreds, out of the Red Bullet mare One in the Chamber, Guns Loaded now has a 9-3-4 record from 26 starts with earnings of $406,570.