Gun Runner still going strong

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Gun Runner, third to Arrogate in the Travers Stakes, worked four furlongs in 50.56 seconds on Monday over an Oklahoma training track that was moments away from being enveloped in fog.

Gun Runner went his opening quarter in 25.35 seconds and his second quarter in 25.21 as he prepares for the Grade 2, $1 million Pennsylvania Derby at Parx on Sept. 24.

Trainer Steve Asmussen marvels at how Gun Runner has stood up to a busy 3-year-old campaign that has included a victory in the Louisiana Derby, a third in the Kentucky Derby, a victory in the Matt Winn Stakes, and a fifth-place finish in the Haskell prior to the Travers. The Haskell was run over a wet track.

“Blessed he’s in this good of shape considering all he’s done,” Asmussen said. “He’s a tremendous physical, but he’s got a great constitution mentally. He’s handled a very tough Derby, a very tough Travers, and an eventful Haskell – if nothing else due to weather – and I think he’s doing really good.”

Asmussen said Gun Runner will remain at Saratoga for his next two workouts before shipping to Parx a few days before the race.