Derby fever heating up for the Bromans with Gun Runner colt

LEXINGTON, K.y. – Chester and Mary Broman don’t often appear on the buying bench at high-end sales. They are more well-known for their homebred program, which has been among the best in New York and which has made a national impact, with runners such as Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint winner Bar of Gold and Grade 1 winners including Artemis Agrotera and Friends Lake.

But, in pursuit of an accomplishment he’s yet to unlock, Chester Broman made an atypical appearance on the Keeneland September yearling sale’s Book 1 buying bench this week, going to $1.15 million to acquire a colt by red-hot classic sire Gun Runner.

“Mr. Broman wants to go to the [Kentucky] Derby, and we thought he looked like the type,” said Sequel New York’s Becky Thomas, who signed the ticket as agent. “I’m not one to bid that high. But he is here because he told me, ‘if I come, we don’t have a budget.’ He’s in charge of the budget.”

The Bromans have appeared at the Kentucky Derby just once before, as homebred Florida Derby winner Friends Lake finished 15th in the 2004 classic.

The Gun Runner colt purchased this week is out of the Grade 1-winning Scat Daddy mare Harmonize, dam of three winners from as many starters, including graded stakes winner Integration.

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