Gun Runner sharp in five-furlong Pegasus workout

Gun Runner stepped up his preparation for the Pegasus World Cup on Jan. 27 at Gulfstream Park with a five-furlong workout Sunday at Fair Grounds.

Under his regular work rider Angel Garcia, Gun Runner was clocked in splits of 13.20, 25.40, and 49.40 on the way to an official five-furlong time of 1:00.80, meaning he really picked up his pace in the homestretch, going his final furlong to the wire in 11.40 seconds. Gun Runner’s gallop-out was timed in 1:14.60.

This was Gun Runner’s third timed workout since he won the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 4 at Del Mar, and Sunday’s drill was nearly two seconds faster than the five-furlong work Gun Runner had one week ago.

“Everything is going according to plan, and all is well,” trainer Steve Asmussen said. “He’ll most likely work in company with Gettysburg next week.”

Gun Runner is overwhelmingly expected to be named Horse of the Year for 2017 after winning the Razorback Handicap, the Stephen Foster, the Whitney, the Woodward, and the BC Classic, and finishing second to Arrogate in the Dubai World Cup during his campaign. The Pegasus, in which Gun Runner will be heavily favored, is to be Gun Runner’s final start before standing stud at Three Chimneys Farm in Kentucky.

It’s possible Gun Runner will fly to Florida in time to get in his final Pegasus work over the Gulfstream surface, but an exact ship date hasn’t been set.
“It all depends on the weather,” Asmussen said