Gun Runner Works, Likely in Dirt Mile

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Gun Runner Works, Likely in Dirt Mile
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Gun Runner

Gun Runner wore a saddle towel with "Dirt Mile" sewn into the side during his easy half-mile breeze Oct. 30 at Santa Anita Park, and that's where he's likely headed for his Breeders' Cup start.

Also entered in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), co-owner Ron Winchell said the Candy Ride   colt was "95%" likely to run in the Nov. 4 Dirt Mile (gr. I) after he covered four furlongs in :48 2/5 Sunday.

"I think from what we've seen of who is going and what they're doing, (the) Dirt Mile is probably best spot for him," said Winchell, who owns Gun Runner in partnership with Three Chimneys Farm. "He's tried the 1 1/4 miles a couple times and he ran good, but he didn't win. I think that next year, the 1 1/4 miles—if he stays in training—will be within him. Right now, maybe it's a little premature."

Trainer Steve Asmussen typically likes for his charges to go an easy half in their last works before a race, clocking in closer to :50. The final time may be have been faster than normal, but Gun Runner was moving as easy as he pleased through splits of :12 3/5 and :36 1/5, with a gallop out to five furlongs in 1:01 2/5. 

"Couldn't be happier. He just went so smooth," Winchell said. "He went nice and fast—just put his head down. If I could have dictated how he worked earlier today—if I could say, 'This is what I want'—that's what we got."

A Dirt Mile triumph would mark the first grade I score for Gun Runner, the only thing missing in a career that has been nothing short of consistent. As several key members of this year's 3-year-old male crop have fallen by the wayside because of retirement or injury—including classic winners Nyquist  , Exaggerator  , and Creator—Gun Runner continues to show up. He notched wins in the Veterans Ford Risen Star Stakes (gr. II), Twinspires Louisiana Derby (gr. II), and Matt Winn Stakes (gr. III), and finished third in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

"He is such a talented horse. He kind of touts himself," said Scott Blasi, assistant to Asmussen. "He just seems to have gotten faster as the year has gone on. He's the most consistent, he's solid, he doesn't ask for any favors. He's danced every dance and ... he's just a quality horse. We're lucky to have him."

Gun Runner was most recently second to Connect in the Sept. 24 Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) at Parx Racing. He has won five of 10 career starts with $1,573,300 in earnings.

Fellow Dirt Mile contender Dortmund was also on the Sunday work tab, earning the rare ''breezing" tag from Santa Anita clockers when he drilled four furlongs in :47 in company with Ten Blessings. 

Kaleem Shah's massive son of Big Brown   broke off about a length behind his workmate and ran the first quarter-mile in :23 4/5 en route to finishing up on even terms.

"I probably should have worked him without the blinkers," trainer Bob Baffert said of the move. "But he worked good. He's doing well. I think he'll like that mile better than the 1 1/4 miles (of the Classic). This week is all about just making sure they're moving well. They're not going to get any faster. You just want to keep them at that level."

Martin Garcia, who was up on Dortmund for the move, will have the mount in the Dirt Mile.

"There are some fast horses in there," Baffert said of the race. "(Sprint champion) Runhappy—we don't know if he's going to like two turns—but if he does, we might be all in trouble."