Gun Runner looks good in work for Woodward Stakes

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Gun Runner, the dominant winner of the Grade 1 Whitney Stakes on Aug. 6, drilled a sharp five furlongs in 1:00.31 on Monday over the Oklahoma training track in preparation for the Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward Stakes here Sept. 2.

With jockey Florent Geroux in the irons, Gun Runner started about two lengths behind his workmate, Swayze, at the five-furlong pole. Gun Runner was within a length after an opening furlong and was on even terms by the top of the lane after going three furlongs in 36.19 seconds. Geroux barely asked Gun Runner for anything, but he got his final quarter in 24.12 and was about a length in front of Swayze at the wire.

Gun Runner galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.51 and seven furlongs in 1:27.73.

“Great work, nothing fancy,” Geroux said. “For him, he’s just cruising. He can go fast if we need to. He’s very relaxed when he breezes. When we breeze him, he sits off a horse all the time.”

Trainer Steve Asmussen said a workmate keeps Gun Runner in a good, steady rhythm.

“He looks happy, moving well,” Asmussen said. “We’ve had such nice, cool mornings all summer, I really think they come into play. I thought he came out of the Whitney very sharp and has settled into his routine nicely.”

There were only nine nominations for the Woodward, and one of those horses, Seeking the Soul, is entered in an allowance race here Wednesday. Keen Ice, runner-up in the Whitney, is scheduled to skip the Woodward for the Jockey Club Gold Cup.

Among those expected to run are Neolithic, Rally Cry, and Tom’s d’Etat. Others nominated were Breaking Lucky, Discreet Lover, and War Story.