Gun Runner, Untapable Breeze at Churchill

Trainer Steve Asmussen's duo of classic-placed Gun Runner and champion Untapable each breezed a half-mile June 13 at Churchill Downs ahead of their scheduled starts in graded stakes June 18 at the Louisville, Ky., track.

Gun Runner went his half in :50.20, recording fractions of :13.60 and :25.40. Stablemate Untapable went :50 with splits of :12.80 and :24.80.

Gun Runner is aimed for the $100,000 Matt Winn Stakes (gr. III) for his first starts since a third-place finish in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). Untapable, looking to halt a winless streak, is pointed for the $200,000 Fleur de Lis Handicap (gr. II), both Saturday night.

"They both went nice and smooth halves," Asmussen said. "I feel like we're set and on go for Saturday."

Prior to his Kentucky Derby third-place finish behind Nyquist and eventual Preakness Stakes (gr. I)  winner Exaggerator, the son of Candy Ride   was victorious in two major preps for the Kentucky Derby, the Risen Star Stakes and Louisiana Derby (both gr. II) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Should he exit the Matt Winn in good order, Asmussen plans on sending Gun Runner to the $1 million Haskell Invitational (gr. I) at Monmouth Park July 31, a race that was a comeback race for Triple Crown winner American Pharoah   last year.

"I think he has proved his worth with what he has done this year with the Louisiana Derby win and the third in the Kentucky Derby, and I think that this is a very good bridge for him to get to the Haskell," Asmussen said.

Untapable has not found the winner's circle since a win in last year's Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I) at Oaklawn Park but boasts a spotless three-for-three record at Churchill. The 5-year-old daughter of Tapit   made her career debut at Churchill a winning one as a 2-year-old before going on to win that year's Pocahontas Stakes (gr. II).

The following year, she won the 2014 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) as the 2-1 favorite and was named the year's champion 3-year-old filly.

"That was why we wanted to run her back here in Saturday's race," Asmussen said. "It has been too long since we've won with her and I think we just need to take our best shot at winning and I think the significance of it being a 'Win And You're In' race for the ($2 million) Breeders Cup Distaff (gr. I) adds to it."

Trainer Neil Howard sent out Eagle for his final work for Saturday night's main event, the $500,000 Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I). The son of Candy Ride posted a half-mile breeze in :49.60. Churchill clockers caught him in splits of :24.20 and :37 before he galloped out to five furlongs in 1:02.80.

"Nice and smooth," Howard said. "It was just an easy half. He galloped out nice and cooled out good. He's pretty much been on a steady schedule to say the least so this was nothing complicated."