Epicenter surges to Gun Runner victory
Trainer Steve Asmussen and owner Winchell Thoroughbreds not only had a horse for the inaugural edition of the $100,000 Gun Runner Stakes, but they had the right horse.
Epicenter cruised to a 6 1/2-length win Sunday at Fair Grounds in the Gun Runner, named after the champion racehorse and star young stallion campaigned by Asmussen, Winchell, and Three Chimneys Farm.
Coming off a one-turn-mile maiden win at Churchill Downs and making his route debut, Epicenter showed his natural speed from post 1 to press the pace of Surfer Dude, who went his opening quarter-mile in a modest 24.41 but picked up the tempo to pass the half-mile pole in a legitimate 47.76. Brian Hernandez Jr., winning his third race on the card, guided Epicenter off the rail to get outside Surfer Dude, shadowing him around the far turn and taking the lead after six furlongs in 1:12.57.
Talented Tejano Twist, putting in a bid from the back of the field, made a run at Epicenter approaching the quarter pole, but Epicenter had plenty left and quickly pulled clear, crossing the wire all alone. A well-beaten sixth in his career debut, Epicenter now is a stakes winner and has put himself on the path toward races such as the Louisiana Derby this spring.
“We love his tactical speed,” said assistant trainer Scott Blasi, who, as of race 11, had sent out three Asmussen-trained Fair Grounds winners Sunday. “He’s still lightly raced. He’s learning, and hopefully there are better things to come.”
The Gun Runner is part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby and the top four finishers earned qualifying points that will determine the 20 horses that qualify for the 2022 Derby. Epicenter got 10 points, Tejano Twist four points, third-place Surfer Dude two points, and fourth-place Kevin’s Folly one.
Rocket Dawg, the surprisingly strong favorite at odds of 4-5, raced very rank around the clubhouse turn and onto the backstretch while making his second career start, fading badly to finish sixth.
Epicenter clocked 1:44.19 for 1 1/16 miles on a fast track and paid $7.80 to win.
“It looked like he had a lot of ability and he showed it today,” said Hernandez, who rode the colt for the first time.
Epicenter is by Not This Time, the sire of North County, who won the $100,000 Untapable for 2-year-old fillies in the race before the Gun Runner. Epicenter is out of Silent Candy, by Candy Ride, and would seem a natural candidate for a race like the Lecomte Stakes next month at Fair Grounds.
