Gun Runner turns the screws in work for Stephen Foster

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Further sharpening for the June 17 Stephen Foster Handicap, Gun Runner had his most serious breeze yet on the comeback trail when going six furlongs in 1:12 on Monday at Churchill.

Gun Runner spotted a three-length head start to his Steve Asmussen stablemate Real Creel, a 3-year-old with one win, before speeding far ahead under the wire. The splits were 13.20 seconds, 25.80, 37.80, and 48.80, with gallop-out times of 1:23.80 for seven furlongs and 1:36.20 for a mile, according to Churchill clocker John Nichols.

Gun Runner, an earner of more than $4.3 million, will be a huge favorite in the Grade 1, $500,000 Foster, his first race since the 4-year-old colt finished second to Arrogate in the March 25 Dubai World Cup. The breeze was his fifth straight on a Monday morning, dating to May 8.

Weight assignments for the 1 1/8-mile Foster will be released Saturday, with the expected opposition to include Bird Song, Honorable Duty, Mo Tom, and maybe a few more older horses. Nominations closed last weekend.