Gun Runner, McCraken get ready for stakes

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Gun Runner, gearing up for the June 17 Stephen Foster Handicap, had his second breeze since returning from his runner-up finish behind Arrogate in the March 25 Dubai World Cup, going an easy half-mile Monday in 51 seconds at Churchill. The 4-year-old colt is owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farm.

“He looks so good when you let him stretch his legs a little bit,” said trainer Steve Asmussen. “He’s an amazingly impressive horse … I honestly believe he’s just getting better.”

Meanwhile, McCraken returned to light training Sunday, eight days after incurring a puncture wound to his left hind ankle during his eighth-place finish as the 6-1 third choice in the Kentucky Derby.

Trainer Ian Wilkes said he intends to have McCraken make his next start in the Grade 3 Matt Winn on the Foster undercard. McCraken went unbeaten in three starts as a 2-year-old, all at Churchill.

Construction resumes

Major construction on the new Starting Gate Suites on the north end of the Churchill grandstand has resumed. The $37 million project will add more than 1,800 new seats for the 2018 Kentucky Derby through the addition of luxury suites, interior dining tables, and third-floor grandstand seats. It will encompass 77,250 square feet.

Foundation work began in January and was temporarily halted prior to the start of the spring meet April 29. Steel will be erected soon, with a large section of the grandstand being closed. Most of the construction work will be done after training hours on dark days.

When this latest renovation is finished, Churchill Downs Inc. will have spent roughly $250 million on capital improvements at its flagship track since it undertook a massive overhaul there in 2003.

Whitmore to Maryland

Whitmore, one of the hottest sprinters on the continent, was scheduled to van Tuesday to Pimlico for the Grade 3, $150,000 Maryland Sprint Stakes at six furlongs on Saturday. Whitmore had his final prerace work Sunday at Churchill, a half-mile blowout in 46.40 seconds over a fast track.

Trained by Ron Moquett, Whitmore is unbeaten in four starts since returning from a seven-month layoff that followed a 19th-place finish in the 2016 Kentucky Derby.

Two stakes slated for Saturday

A pair of Grade 3, $100,000 stakes, the Matron and the Louisville Handicap, will be run here Saturday ahead of the Preakness simulcast from Pimlico.

Probable starters for the Matron include Lady Fog Horn, Walkabout, and Weep No More. Those likely for the Louisville Handicap, for older turf horses, include Bullards Alley and Generous Kitten.

◗ Jockey Geovanni Franco is expected to be sidelined six to eight weeks after breaking a wrist in a spill in the eighth race here Saturday. Franco enjoyed an outstanding winter at Oaklawn Park, riding 45 winners. He rode primarily at Oaklawn, Canterbury, and Remington in 2016.

◗ Owner Nancy Polk of Normandy Farm has given Ken McPeek the go-ahead to send her Kentucky Oaks runner-up, Daddys Lil Darling, to England for the June 2 English Oaks at Epsom Downs. The filly will be vanned May 22 to Huntsville, Ala., for a direct overseas flight.