Gun Runner's connections not ready to commit to Dubai

With Arrogate’s connections continuing to say that their colt won’t start in the Dubai World Cup, the door stands open for another American horse to take home first prize in that $10 million race. But Gun Runner’s camp is not ready to say they will try to walk through it.

Gun Runner worked five furlongs in 1:02 on Sunday at Fair Grounds, the day after he was supposed to have started in the Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream, won impressively by Arrogate, the best horse in the world. Gun Runner’s entry into the Pegasus last Monday was denied by Gulfstream Park over concerns about the equine herpesvirus at Fair Grounds. Gun Runner, trained by Steve Asmussen, finished his 3-year-old campaign last year by winning the Grade 1 Clark over older horses, including Shaman Ghost, who was second in the Pegasus.

No racing plans have yet been set for Gun Runner, according to Doug Cauthen, vice chairman of Goncalo Torrealba’s Three Chimneys Farm, which owns Gun Runner with Ron Winchell’s Winchell Thoroughbreds.

“We’re just kind of going to let Steve and the horse tell us,” Cauthen said. “We’re in the process of making a plan based on what’s available.”

Gun Runner has upcoming options at Fair Grounds and Oaklawn Park. Were he to remain in the U.S., the only remaining Grade 1 dirt route for older horses during the winter is the Santa Anita Handicap. An alternative would be to take a shot in Dubai. Asmussen won the World Cup in 2008 with Curlin.

“That’s a significant race, for sure,” Cauthen said. “We’ll let Ron and Goncalo talk it over and let Steve guide the decision.”