Gun Runner Arrives at Monmouth for Haskell

Gun Runner became the first 3-year-old stabled outside of Monmouth Park to arrive for the $1 million Betfair.com Haskell Invitational (gr. I), set for July 31 at the New Jersey racetrack.

Owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds, Three Chimneys Farm, and Besilu Stables, Gun Runner arrived at about 9:20 a.m. EDT July 26 after his trip from Saratoga Race Course, where he worked the previous day for trainer Steve Asmussen.

"He looked like he shipped really well," Asmussen assistant Scott Blasi told Monmouth media officials. "His energy is good. The plan is to tack walk him (Wednesday) to get him use to his surroundings. He will gallop over the track Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and probably school in the paddock Friday."

Gun Runner, by Candy Ride  , won the TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (gr. II) earlier this year and the Matt Winn Stakes (gr. III) at Churchill Downs in his most recent start. In the 1 1/8-mile Haskell, he is expected to face Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Nyquist; multiple grade I winner Brody's Cause; California shipper American Freedom, winner of the Iowa Derby (gr. III); Withers Stakes (gr. III) winner Sunny Ridge; and Awesome Slew, third in the Pegasus Stakes (gr. III) at Monmouth in his previous start.