Gun Runner setting up at Saratoga, points to Whitney
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Gun Runner was scheduled to arrive early Tuesday at his summer home at Saratoga after being sent overnight by van from Churchill Downs with about a dozen of his Steve Asmussen-trained stablemates.
A romping winner of the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill on June 17, Gun Runner will race next in the Grade 1 Whitney on Aug. 5 at Saratoga. The 4-year-old colt has become widely regarded as the second-best horse in training in North America, behind only Arrogate, who defeated him in the March 25 Dubai World Cup.
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Gun Runner, owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farm, resumed training several days after his Foster victory and will have four workouts at Saratoga leading into the 1 1/8-mile Whitney, Asmussen said. Assistant Scott Blasi is leaving the Churchill spring meet a few days early to oversee the Saratoga string before the boss arrives. Asmussen holds a sizable lead in seeking a record 18th training title at Churchill, where the 38-day meet ends Friday night.
Gun Runner “came out of the Foster in great shape,” Asmussen said. “We couldn’t be any happier with him.”
Asmussen has not committed to a particular race beyond the Whitney. The year-end goal is the Nov. 4 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar, where a rematch looms with Arrogate.
