Gunnevera Fires Bullet in Preparation for Return
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Photo: Mathea Kelley/Dubai Racing Club
Gunnevera hasn't raced since finishing eighth in the Dubai World Cup at Meydan
Multiple graded stakes winner Gunnevera, sidelined since his run in the March 31 Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1), breezed five furlongs in 1:00 at Gulfstream Park West July 14 in preparation for a return at Gulfstream Park.
The workout, which was the fastest of 16 recorded at the distance, was the fourth since the son of Dialed In returned to training. Jockey Edgard Zayas was aboard for the solo breeze.
Gunnevera hasn't raced since exiting an eighth-place finish in the $10 million Dubai World Cup with a hoof injury. The 4-year-old colt was freshened in Ocala, Fla., for two months to give the hoof time to heal before returning to trainer Antonio Sano's Gulfstream Park West stable.
"Gunnevera is doing very good. We've had no issues with him these last few weeks and have taken our time with him," Sano said. "We're going to look for a race in early August for him at Gulfstream, and then the Woodward (G1) at Saratoga (Sept. 1) is the plan. He's been very good at Gulfstream and Saratoga. The Woodward is the first big race we want to make with him."
Gunnevera has demonstrated a fondness for the Saratoga Race Course surface. He captured the 2016 Saratoga Special Stakes (G2) and finished second in the 2017 Travers Stakes presented by NYRA Bets (G1). The late-running chestnut also won the $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot (G3) to cap his juvenile season and the Xpressbet Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park last year.
Gunnevera capped his 3-year-old season with a fifth-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar and finished third in the $16 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) at Gulfstream Jan. 27 before venturing to Dubai.
"I've never had a horse like him before in my life. I don't have the words to say how great Gunnevera has been for me and my family. I am very proud of what he has accomplished," said Sano. "To run in the Kentucky Derby, the Breeders' Cup, the Pegasus, and then Dubai, it's been amazing."
Gunnevera, owned by Salomon Del Valle, has five wins from 16 starts, with $2,927,200 in earnings.