Mr. A. P. earns trip to Kentucky Downs for Gun Runner Stakes
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Mr. A. P. had an ideal trip in an allowance race on turf at Del Mar on Thursday, stalking the pace en route to a win by 1 1/4 lengths.
The moments before the race, however, were hectic.
Trainer Vladimir Cerin said on Friday that Mr. A. P. was kicked by a pony horse in the post parade, leaving him concerned enough to ask regulatory vets to conduct a last-minute inspection.
“I said, ‘If there is a pimple on him, scratch him,’” Cerin said.
Mr. A. P. was cleared to race. Ridden by Joel Rosario, Mr. A. P. ($3.60) ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:41.67.
“He seems okay this morning,” Cerin said.
“I was hoping for a trip like that. He’s not ever going to win a race by five. He does what it takes to win.”
The allowance race was designed as a prep race for the $1.75 million Gun Runner Stakes for 3-year-olds at a mile on turf at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 7.
Owned by David and Holly Wilson, Mr. A. P. had a fascinating 2-year-old season last year. He was second in his debut in a maiden race at Del Mar in July 2025, the day he was claimed for a track record $150,000.
Mr. A. P. later finished second by a length to Ted Noffey in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar. Ted Noffey was named the champion 2-year-old male of 2025.
An injury prevented Mr. A. P. from running last winter and spring. He was third in his first start of 2026, in the Oceanside Stakes at a mile on turf for 3-year-olds at Del Mar on July 17.
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