Clocker: Gun Runner has strong first work in BC prep

Santa Anita
Track: Fast. Weather: Cloudy. Temp.: 64

ARCADIA, Calif. - Trainer Phil D’Amato took center stage at Santa Anita on Sunday morning, working more than a half-dozen of his potential Breeders’ Cup starters.

Getting the most attention was multiple graded stakes-winning 3-year-old GUN RUNNER, who breezed shortly after dawn on an overcast but pleasant morning at the site of this year’s Breeders’ Cup.

While his connections continue to consider either the Classic or Dirt Mile, Gun Runner gave every indication he’s adapted well to his new surroundings on the West Coast after working five furlongs in 1:01.81 over what still remains a relatively slow main track.

Gun Runner waited until after the frenetic rush following the first renovation break to breeze. He broke off from the five-eighths pole at a leisurely pace, getting his opening eighth- and quarter-miles in 13.29 and 25.59. The Pennsylvania Derby runner-up picked up the pace thereafter. He completed his final three-eighths in 36.22 while not being asked, was encouraged a bit through the wire and responded by galloping out with good energy into and around the turn, six furlongs in 1:14.95 before pulling up seven-eighths in 1:28.84 in his first work over the course.

Another possible Dirt Mile candidate, VYJACK, was part of D’Amato's morning contingent, going five furlongs in 1:01.71 after registering early splits of 24.53 and 36.63. Like Gun Runner, he went along under his own the majority of the way before being niggled on just a tad nearing the wire. He did not gallop, however, with nearly the same energy as Gun Runner, easing up six furlongs in 1:16.73.

Among the other D’Amato workers this morning:

- The venerable 8-year-old OBVIOUSLY, who is looking to compete in his fourth consecutive Breeders’ Cup Mile. The speedy veteran makes even a maintenance work look good, going four furlongs in 48.81 over the training track while under a stranglehold throughout, punctuating the move with an energetic gallop-out from the wire back around to the three-eighths pole.

- D’Amato also sent out the team of METABOSS (Turf) and HUNT to work six furlongs over the training track, the latter breaking eight lengths behind her more-seasoned partner, making up the ground by the time the two turned into the stretch. Metaboss held a slight advantage the remainder of the way but had to be asked to do so, with Hunt going easiest to the wire and on the extended gallop-out. Metaboss completed the distance in 1:16.25, Hunt finished in 1:14.81.

- UNION STRIKE was the last Breeders’ Cup worker on the day, going seven-eighths in company with a stablemate who wound up completing the drill with a loose bandage. Union Strike broke off three lengths back, was rated behind her target to the stretch, where she was angled wide and away from her mate to avoid a potentially dangerous situation as a result of the trailing bandage. Union Strike ultimately edged a length clear but under some encouragement, while completing the final quarter of a 1:27.74 move in 25 and change before galloping-out a mile in an average 1:43.14.

- ASHLEYLUVSSUGAR, working solo before dawn, was angled well wide off the final turn, picked up a target at that point but did not make up any appreciable ground while not being extended to the wire.