Gun Runner Wraps Up Major Pre-Derby Work

Louisiana Derby (gr. II) winner Gun Runner completed his major work before the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) with an easy half-mile breeze May 2 at Churchill Downs.

Going out for trainer Steve Asmussen at 8:30 a.m., the time designated for Derby and Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) runners, Gun Runner used his long stride to effortlessly complete four furlongs in :50 2/5 after splits of :12 3/5, :25, and :37 4/5. Exercise rider Carlos Rosas guided the smooth-running son of Candy Ride   through the easy breeze.

Guiding Gun Runner back to the barn, Asmussen assistant Scott Blasi noted that you'd never guess Gun Runner had done anything that morning.

"He's not hot or anything," Blasi said. "He's not even sweating."

Off victories in the Veterans Ford Risen Star Stakes (gr. III) and TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (gr. II), both at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, Gun Runner is this year's Road to the Kentucky Derby points leader. Asmussen likes how Winchell Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farm's Gun Runner is progressing into the Louisville classic.

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"I've been very happy with the trajectory that he's shown to this point. Saying that, we also know we need to be better," Asmussen said. "We feel like we're in the process of (getting better). The Louisiana Derby was a nice step in the right direction and we're expecting another step in the right direction."

On a day he wasn't looking for much from either of his Derby hopefuls, Asmussen also watched Arkansas Derby (gr. I) winner Creator breeze four furlongs in :50 3/5.

Asmussen, who will enter the Racing Hall of Fame this year, has started 13 horses in the Derby since 2001 without a win. His top placings include a second with Nehro in 2011 and a third with Curlin   in 2007. Curlin went on to earn the first of his two Horse of the Year Awards in 2007.

The Kentucky Derby will mark the first race in six weeks for Gun Runner, who Asmussen said gets a lot out of his morning work. On Monday morning at Churchill, each time Gun Runner was guided past the barn exit while walking the shedrow, he protested a bit, displaying a desire to get out on the track. 

In terms of timed moves, Gun Runner has breezed five times, all at Churchill, since his March 26 win in the Louisiana Derby. 

On April 18 Gun Runner earned the bullet among 18 works at five furlongs, when he completed that distance in 1:00 flat. He followed that breeze with a six-furlong move April 25, which was fastest of two at the distance. As a horse who can progress off morning work, Asmussen said he liked the timing of this year's races for Gun Runner and the fact that he only had to move once this year, from Fair Grounds to Churchill.

"It's gone exactly as we had hoped. I thought that Gun Runner last fall identified himself as a horse who could be a serious 3-year-old—obviously we're hoping Triple Crown-type races last year with the brilliance he showed from day one," Asmussen said. "Pedigree-wise we felt like he would consistently get better with time and age."

Asmussen said he doesn't think Gun Runner or Creator have yet run a race good enough to beat likely Derby favorite Nyquist, but he's confident both have made strides and Saturday will tell if that improvement is enough.

"In Nyquist you have a seven-for-seven Eclipse champion who has won four grade Is. He's the deserving favorite. Neither Gun Runner nor Creator has run a race to date that would beat Nyquist. But that's what we're here for—to be better," Asmussen said. "I think that both horses are in a frame of mind that they're going to run their best."