Gun Runner to work Sunday before departing for Southern California
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Gun Runner will have regular rider Florent Geroux aboard early Sunday when he puts in in his final breeze prior to leaving for Southern California the following morning.
Gun Runner was a 10-length winner of the Grade 1 Woodward at Saratoga earlier this month in what will be his final start prior to the Nov. 4 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar. The 4-year-old colt will be based at Santa Anita before having one breeze at Del Mar, which reopens for training Oct. 23.
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‘Finley’ sharpens for TCA
Finley’sluckycharm, the standout favorite for the Oct. 7 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes at Keeneland, continued her recovery from a minor setback when she breezed a sharp five furlongs in 1:00.20 early Friday over a fast track at Churchill. Regular rider Brian Hernandez Jr. was up.
Finley’sluckycharm, who has won 8 of 11 races, missed a scheduled start in the Aug. 26 Ballerina at Saratoga with a hind-leg ailment that trainer Bret Calhoun said has since healed. The 4-year-old filly will work one more time prior to the six-furlong TCA, a Win and You’re In race toward the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.
Saez gets 6-day penalty
After Friday, jockey Gabriel Saez was to miss the rest of the September meet as he serves a six-day suspension stemming from the incident for which his mount Mayla was disqualified from victory in the Open Mind Stakes last weekend. The Churchill stewards cited his “aggressive” ride in doubling the typical three-day penalty for a riding infraction.
The suspension runs through closing day, Oct. 1. Saez is eligible to ride elsewhere this Monday through Wednesday when Churchill is dark.
Uncontested may go in Phoenix
Trainer Wayne Catalano said he is considering a run in the Oct. 6 Phoenix Stakes at Keeneland for Uncontested after the 3-year-old colt snapped a four-race losing streak by winning a six-furlong allowance here last Sunday.
Uncontested won the Smarty Jones at Oaklawn Park in January with a 97 Beyer Speed Figure before losing his subsequent starts, all at a mile or longer.
