Gunnison surges late in Tale of the Cat

Gunnison became a stakes winner Saturday at Monmouth Park, where he surged past Strike Me Down in the stretch and went on to a 1 1/4-length victory in the $60,000 Tale of the Cat. Strike Me Down was second as the favorite, 7 1/2 lengths clear of third-place finisher One Fast Ride.

The Tale of the Cat was a 1 1/16-mile turf race for 3-year-olds. The ground was listed as good Saturday.

Gunnison ($6.40), who is a half-brother to multiple Grade 1 winner Divisidero, trailed in the early stages as Vital set fractions of 22.72 seconds for the opening quarter, 47.09 for the half-mile and 1:11.48, pushed along by Hazit. Strike Me Down moved to the fore nearing the quarter pole and seemed home free in the stretch, but Gunnison roared to the lead in the later stages and went on to cover the distance in 1:43.26 and getting an 85 Beyer Speed Figure.

Jevian Toledo was aboard Gunnison for trainer Kelly Rubley.

Gunnison is by Bernardini and he races for Gunpowder Farms and his co-breeder, Hinkle Farms. Gunnison earned $36,000 for the win, his third from seven starts. He now has career earnings of $77,095. Gunnison came into the Tale of the Cat off a first-level allowance win at Laurel.

There were three scratches from the Tale of the Cat: Jorrin, Roaming Union, and Hills Pond.