Runnin Fun charges up rail to win Lansing

Runnin Fun held tight to the inside path and outkicked steady pressure to win the $20,000 Lansing Stakes on Saturday at Hazel Park Raceway.

The 3-year-old Equality colt took control of the rail quickly out of the gate and led briefly before conceding to Kiki’s War on the far outside heading into the first turn. Those two ran into an opening quarter of 24.29 seconds, with the 7-5 favorite Court’s Ruling close behind in third.

Kiki’s War maintained a head advantage outside Runnin Fun across the backstretch, and Court’s Ruling loomed three wide as they passed the half-mile mark in 48.04. Runnin Fun put a head in front shortly after leaving that pole behind and stayed close to the rail as he exited the final turn.

Kiki’s War continued to push Runnin Fun down the stretch but couldn’t regain his lead as jockey Alvaro Hernandez-Lopez’s right-handed urging carried Runnin Fun across the finish with a half-length advantage. Court’s Ruling flattened out for third, 2 1/2 lengths behind the runner-up.

Runnin Fun ($7) won the six-furlong race for Michigan-bred 3-year-old colts and geldings in 1:13.92. The gelding ran as a homebred for James Griffin and is trained by Richard Rettele.

With the victory, Runnin Fun improved his career record to two wins in six career starts for earnings of $35,110. The Lansing was Runnin Fun’s first attempt at stakes competition and his debut race at Hazel Park, making all of his previous starts at Thistledown.