Gun Runner Set for Derby Rematch in Haskell

Coming off a wire-to-wire romp at Churchill Downs, Gun Runner will head to Monmouth Park for a rematch with Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Nyquist in the $1 million Betfair.com Haskell Invitational (gr. I) July 31.

          

Gun Runner, a son of Candy Ride  , made all the pace and captured the Matt Winn Stakes (gr. III) by 5 1/4 lengths June 18 at Churchill as the overwhelming favorite for his third graded win this year.

           

"He's been doing well," said trainer Steve Asmussen to Monmouth media officials when asked how Gun Runner came out of his last start. "He will work either Monday or Tuesday at Saratoga and then we'll go from there."

            

Gun Runner has worked three times since his Matt Winn score. The latest came July 12, where he breezed five furlongs in 1:01 3/5 over the fast Saratoga training track.

            

Owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds, Three Chimney Farm, and Besilu Stables, Gun Runner's only blemish on his 3-year-old campaign came when he finished third in the Kentucky Derby to fellow Haskell rival Nyquist.

            

Gun Runner won both of his preps leading up to the Kentucky Derby: the Risen Star Stakes by a half length and the Louisiana Derby by 4 1/2 lengths, both gr. II races at Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots.

            

"It will depend on the weather on when we will ship down from Saratoga," said Asmussen.

            

Florent Geroux will be aboard Gun Runner in the Haskell. He has ridden the colt each of his four starts this year.

Along with Nyquist, fellow Kentucky Derby opponent Brody's Cause is pointed to the Haskell. 

Brody's Cause, a son of Giant's Causeway campaigned by the Albaugh Family Stable, won the Toyota Blue Grass (gr. I) at Keeneland before finishing seventh in the Derby. He also finished third behind Nyquist in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) and was sixth in the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (gr. I) June 11 last time out for trainer Dale Romans.