Gun Runner Continues Derby Preparations

Winchell Racing and Three Chimneys Farm's Gun Runner continued his preparation for a start in the May 7 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) with a five-furlong breeze in 1:01 over a fast track April 11 at Churchill Downs.



Churchill Downs clockers caught the son of Candy Ride   in eighth-mile splits of :12 2/5, :24 1/5 and :36 2/5 before galloping out six furlongs in 1:14 1/5. The move was Gun Runner's second local breeze since a 4 1/2-length triumph in the Louisiana Derby (GII) on March 26 at Fair Grounds. On April 4, he breezed a half mile in :50 3/5.



"He's very manageable; he's getting over the ground well," assistant trainer Scott Blasi said following Monday's exercise. "He's got plenty of time so this was just a nice maintenance work for him."



Blasi discussed how well the Steve Asmussen-trained horse has developed since his 2-year-old campaign, which consisted of two starts against maiden and allowance company and a fourth-place effort in the Kentucky Jockey Club (gr. II), the colt's lone defeat in five career starts.



"He's definitely changed physically and he's getting there," Blasi said. "He's still playful but he's definitely getting there. It's nice to have him here. He's settled in how we've wanted him to and hopefully we'll have good works leading up to the Derby."



Blasi said Gun Runner, who has earned the most points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard with 151, will breeze again Monday, April 18.



In other Kentucky Derby news, GMB Racing's Mo Tom is likely to breeze at Churchill Downs on Wednesday, according to trainer Tom Amoss.