Gulfstream Park: Suns Out Guns Out gives Romans big shot

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The rhythmic name of Suns Out Guns Out got plenty of air time at the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita in November, given how prominent he was for much of the 1 3/4-mile Marathon. The West Point Thoroughbreds colorbearer backed up in the final quarter-mile, but only a little, and now there’s a whole new year for race-callers to have a little fun with him.

Trainer Dale Romans said Monday he is particularly eager to get started on a 2014 campaign with Suns Out Guns Out, a 5-year-old who looks like one of the main contenders in the Wednesday feature at Gulfstream Park, a $54,500 third-level allowance with a $100,000 claiming option.

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“I was really pleased with his Breeders’ Cup effort,” said Romans, referring to how Suns Out Guns Out forced the pace before finishing fourth by 2 1/2 lengths. “He’s by Empire Maker, and they tend to get better as they get older. I really think he’s got a big year ahead of him.”

Suns Out Guns Out will have Corey Lanerie aboard when he breaks from post 8 among a field of nine older horses in the ninth of 10 Wednesday races, which goes at 1 1/16 miles on the main track. Romans said “a little more distance than this” might be optimum for his horse, “although when they’re fresh like he is, something like this shouldn’t be that big a deal.”

Romans, the Eclipse Award-winning trainer of 2012, also will be represented in this spot by another 5-year-old Kentucky-bred in Quick Wit (post 5, Joe Rocco Jr.), owned by Mike Bruder, with whom Romans teamed Saturday to upset the Tampa Bay Stakes with 14-1 shot Guys Reward. Quick Wit, winner of the Grade 2 Hall of Fame Stakes at Saratoga, is coming off a layoff of nearly a year and has been working steadily at his Palm Meadows winter base. The Romans horses are uncoupled for wagering purposes.

Perhaps the horse to beat in this race is the Todd Pletcher-trained Golden Lad, a 4-year-old who in the last few months has gone through his first two allowance conditions over this track. Golden Lad is a lukewarm 5-2 program favorite, followed by Atigun at 3-1 and Suns Out Guns Out at 4-1.

Atigun (post 4, Javier Castellano) is yet another Kentucky-bred 5-year-old and is the leading earner in the field with just more than $500,000. He steps outside of stakes company for the first time in nine months and will be looking to improve on a pair of out-of-money finishes since being transferred by owner John Ed Anthony into the care of Jimmy Jerkens.

First post Wednesday is 12:40 p.m. Eastern, with the feature set for 4:33.