Gun Runner turns in final tune-up for Woodward Stakes

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Gun Runner completed preparations for his role as the expected odds-on favorite in Saturday’s Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward Stakes by working a half-mile in 50.28 seconds early Monday morning over the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga.

Under exercise rider Angel Garcia, Gun Runner went his first quarter in 25.56 seconds and his second quarter in 24.72, with a five-furlong gallop-out time of 1:04.31.

“The big horse is doing well,” trainer Steve Asmussen said.

Gun Runner is coming off a 5 1/4-length victory in the Grade 1 Whitney Stakes four weeks ago. Asmussen felt the Woodward was the best race to use as Gun Runner’s last start before the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar on Nov. 4.

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“There’s a lot of positives to it – how the [Whitney] ran, not moving, the weather,” Asmussen said. “Happy with how he’s doing, knowing he’s going to need to run another fast race. But he’s been doing that.”

Gun Runner earned a career-best 112 Beyer Speed Figure in the Whitney, which came after he ran a 110 in winning the Grade 1 Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs on June 17.

Gun Runner is expected to meet four or five opponents in the Woodward, including Rally Cry, the 8 3/4-length winner of the Alydar Stakes here on Aug. 6; Neolithic, third in the Dubai World Cup; War Story, fourth in the Whitney, and his rabbit, May B, a gelding who has been running in Quarter Horse races and claiming sprints. Discreet Lover is possible.