Gun Runner looks too good for rivals in Matt Winn

Trainer Steve Asmussen brought two outstanding prospects to this year’s Kentucky Derby, but the way the race unfolded didn’t benefit either. Gun Runner gamely held third after running near a hot early pace, while the late closer Creator was hampered by traffic in the full field.

Creator rebounded with a vengeance last week, rallying to win the Belmont Stakes. On Saturday night, Gun Runner looks for his own encore, going to post for the first time since the Derby as the heavy favorite in the Grade 3, $100,000 Matt Winn Stakes under the lights at Churchill Downs.

Gun Runner, who will break from post 2 under regular rider Florent Geroux, towers over his six challengers on paper. The winner of this year’s Louisiana Derby and Risen Star Stakes, both Grade 2 events, he is the only entrant to have won a graded stakes and has the best Beyer Speed Figures in the field. A winner at Churchill Downs, he is 2 for 3 at the 1 1/16-mile distance.

“I think he’s proved his worth with what he’s done this year with the Louisiana Derby win and the third in the Kentucky Derby,” Asmussen said.

Asmussen said the Matt Winn is “a very good bridge” to get Gun Runner to the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth on July 31.

The only other member of the field to compete with distinction in a graded stakes is Unbridled Outlaw, who was third in the Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes last fall at Churchill but has been soundly beaten in three other graded attempts. The Dale Romans trainee comes off a runner-up effort to The Player in an allowance June 3. He drew the outside post for Saturday’s race under Corey Lanerie.

Texas Chrome comes off a 10 1/2-length victory against statebreds at Lone Star Park in Texas and is a minor stakes winner against unrestricted company, but this is his first attempt in a graded stakes. The maiden Virtual Machine was second in the Rushaway Stakes on Turfway Park’s Polytrack two starts back.

Key contenders

Gun Runner, by Candy Ride

Last 3 Beyers: 96-91-90

◗ Earned a career-high 96 Beyer Speed Figure when third in the Kentucky Derby.

◗ His lowest Beyer of 2016 is a 90; the highest Beyer earned this year by any other entrant in Saturday’s field is an 88.

◗ Has run well in all three starts at Churchill Downs, winning his career debut, finishing fourth in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes on a sloppy track, and running third in the Derby.

◗ Asmussen, who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in August, has won a record four editions of the Matt Winn.

Unbridled Outlaw, by Unbridled’s Song

Last 3 Beyers: 83-81-71

◗ Beaten 1 1/2 lengths last out by The Player, who has won consecutive races at Churchill and is likely headed to stakes company next out.

◗ Graded-stakes-placed at Churchill last year but soundly beaten in three other tries against that level of company, most recently when seventh in the Grade 3 Pat Day Mile here.