Guns Loaded at his best for Twin Spires Turf Sprint

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The focal point of trainer Doug O’Neill’s weekend will be on Saturday with Nyquist in the Kentucky Derby, but he’s got plenty to keep him busy both Friday and Saturday, including a terrific shot with the in-form Guns Loaded in a wide-open running of the Grade 3, $150,000 Twin Spires Turf Sprint on Friday at Churchill Downs.

Guns Loaded was in the O’Neill barn for one start last fall before being claimed away, but O’Neill went right back for him in his next start. In the interim, Guns Loaded was gelded, and since returning to O’Neill’s barn, he has won four of five starts, including two stakes, and heads into the Turf Sprint riding a three-race win streak.

“I think he’s in the best form he’s been in,” O’Neill said here Wednesday. “We were fortunate to get him back when we did.

“He’s been training great, and one of the big reasons is the job Amir Cedeno has done with him,” O’Neill said, crediting Guns Loaded’s exercise rider. “When we first had him, the accelerator was stuck. He wanted to run off. Amir has got him going like an old pony.”

Guns Loaded tends to stalk and then pounce, and he’ll have plenty of speed to sit behind, with the likes of Latent Revenge, Rocket Heat, and Weast Hill the best of the early speed in the five-furlong dash. Other main contenders in the 13-horse field include the well-traveled Hootenanny, late-running Summation Time, and Power Alert, who won this race in front-running fashion a year ago.

The Turf Sprint goes as race 8 on the 13-race card.

KEY CONTENDERS

Guns Loaded, by D’Wildcat

Last 3 Beyers: 98-95-91

◗ His last two wins were on Santa Anita’s hillside turf course at about 6 1/2 furlongs. This will be his first try going five furlongs, so he’ll have to get moving sooner, and he’s got an outside draw to overcome.

Hootenanny, by Quality Road

Last 3 Beyers: 91-86-81

◗ Best known for his victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf in 2014 after a win earlier that year at Royal Ascot, he’s had a spotty campaign since then for trainer Wesley Ward, with just one win in three starts.

◗ He was off for nearly 10 months following a poor try at Royal Ascot last year before tuning up with a second-place finish on synthetic at Woodbine four weeks ago.

◗ John Velazquez rides him for the first time.

Power Alert, by Alert

Last 3 Beyers: 77-99-100

◗ A notorious bleeder, he’s terrific when he fires his best shot. He got a career-best Beyer Speed Figure in this race last year, and both of his wins this year at Gulfstream were also highly rated.

◗ He did not have a good trip when starting from the rail last time out at Keeneland, and that will be of concern here, for he again has drawn the rail.

Summation Time, by In Summation

Last 3 Beyers: 93-95-79

◗ He’s always a threat with his closing rush, but he’s in the midst of a seven-race losing streak spanning 13 months.

◗ He added blinkers last time when finishing fourth in the Shakertown at Keeneland and was ridden for the first time that day by Javier Castellano, who is back aboard.