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Gun Runner (horse)

Gun Runner (foaled March 8, 2013) is a retired American Thoroughbred racehorse who was the 2017 American Horse of the Year after winning four Grade I races at age four. He retired with earnings of nearly $16 million.

Gun Runner
Gun Runner at the 2016 Breeders' Cup
SireCandy Ride
GrandsireRide The Rails
DamQuiet Giant
DamsireGiant's Causeway
SexStallion
Foaled (2013-03-08) March 8, 2013 (age 9)
CountryUnited States
ColorChestnut
BreederBesilu Stables LLC
OwnerWinchell Thoroughbreds LLC and Three Chimneys Farm
TrainerSteve Asmussen
Record19: 12–3–2
EarningsUS$15,988,500[1]
Major wins
Risen Star Stakes (2016)
Louisiana Derby (2016)
Matt Winn Stakes (2016)
Clark Handicap (2016)
Razorback Handicap (2017)
Stephen Foster Handicap (2017)
Whitney Handicap (2017)
Woodward Stakes (2017)
Pegasus World Cup (2018)
Breeders' Cup wins:
Breeders' Cup Classic (2017)
Awards
American Horse of the Year (2017)
American Champion Older Dirt Male Horse (2017)
Timeform US rating: 142[2]

As a three-year-old, he became one of the early favorites for the 2016 Kentucky Derby after winning both the Risen Star Stakes and Louisiana Derby. Following a third-place finish in the Kentucky Derby, he won the Matt Winn Stakes and Clark Handicap, and was second in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and Pennsylvania Derby.

As a four-year-old in 2017, he finished second in the Dubai World Cup, then went on to win the Stephen Foster Handicap, Whitney Stakes, Woodward Stakes, and Breeders' Cup Classic. His performance in the Whitney earned him a rating of 127 in the August 2017 update of the World's Best Racehorse Rankings, ranking him in third place worldwide. Prior to retiring to stud as a five-year-old, he also won the 2018 Pegasus World Cup.

Background

Gun Runner is a chestnut stallion with a small white star and one white sock bred in Kentucky by Benjamin Leon Jr.'s Besilu Stables.[3] His sire is Candy Ride, an Argentinian-bred horse who was undefeated in a six race career that included four Grade I wins in Argentina and the United States. Although expectations for Candy Ride at stud were initially low, he proved himself a successful sire whose offspring include champion Shared Belief.[4] Candy Ride was among the top five sires in North America four times, including a second-place finish in 2017.[4][5]

Gun Runner is the first foal out of Quiet Giant, a multiple stakes winner from a distinguished female family that traces to Hall of Fame inductee Gallorette. Quiet Giant is by three-time leading sire in North America Giant's Causeway out of the broodmare Quiet Dance, the dam of Horse of the Year Saint Liam and Grade 1 winner Funtastic.[6] Quiet Giant was owned by Edward P. "Ned" Evans during the early part of her racing career. Following Evans' death in 2010, she finished her racing career under the ownership of his estate and was bought by Besilu Stables as a broodmare prospect at the Keeneland November sale in 2011 for $3 million.[7][8] Quiet Giant was officially retired from racing and was bred to Candy Ride in 2012, resulting in the birth of Gun Runner at WinStar Farm on March 8, 2013. "He was bright and inquisitive as a young horse, never much trouble and never sick or injured", according to Chris Baker, who was then the general manager of WinStar Farm. Donnie Preston, another WinStar employee, noted that the young Gun Runner had "a little bit of fire to him."[8]

Gun Runner was purchased in 2014 by Three Chimneys Farm as part of a package deal where Three Chimneys bought majority interests in Besilu's breeding stock, weanlings and yearlings. Three Chimneys originally planned to re-sell Gun Runner at auction as a two-year-old but instead sold a half interest in the colt to Ron Winchell for an undisclosed price upon recommendation by his bloodstock advisor Dr. David Lambert and Equine Analysis Systems.[3]

Physically, Gun Runner is slightly taller than average, standing just under 16.2 hands high.[9] Chris Baker, the chief operating officer of Three Chimneys, summarized Gun Runner's main assets: "Pedigree. Conformation. Athleticism. Just the way he always carried himself, just very smart, intelligent, classy. Easy-moving horse, kind of scopey and light, but in a good way — just an athlete... We've got a stallion barn that we want to fill. He was the kind that had enough of the attributes on paper, that if he did what we thought he could do, he'd be in our stallion barn. And he hasn't proven us wrong yet."[10]

Racing history

2015: two-year-old season

Gun Runner won two of three starts at age two.[1] On September 11, 2015, he made his career debut at Churchill Downs, winning a maiden special weight race over one mile by three-quarters of a length.[11] He followed up with a win in an allowance race at Keeneland on October 17. He made his graded stakes race debut on November 28 in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs.[1] On a muddy track, Gun Runner overcame some traffic problems to take the lead at the head of the stretch but was then overtaken and finished fourth.[12]

2016: three-year-old season

Gun Runner won four of nine starts at age three, plus two second-place finishes and two thirds.[1] He was part of a competitive three-year-old crop that included Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist, Preakness winner Exaggerator and the late developing Arrogate, winner of the Travers and Breeders Cup Classic.[13]

Gun Runner began his three-year-old campaign on February 20, 2016 in the Grade II Risen Star Stakes at the Fair Grounds Race Course. With new jockey Florent Geroux, Gun Runner settled in fourth then started his move around the final turn. He hit the lead at the head of the stretch, then held off a late run from Forevamo to win by half a length. "He's a very nice horse. We're very lucky to have him", said trainer Steve Asmussen. "I thought Florent gave him a beautiful trip with how the track was playing. He's shown talent the whole time and it's definitely good to see him in the winner's circle in a race like this."[14]

On March 26, Gun Runner returned in the $1 million Louisiana Derby, also at the Fair Grounds, where he was the third betting choice at odds of just under 4–1. He was close behind a slow early pace, then drew away in the stretch to win by 4+12 lengths in a dominant performance. "The good thing is he's very easy to manage", said Geroux. "He has so many gears. He settles really nicely, and when you ask him to go, he has a nice turn of foot."[15]

Gun Runner earned 151 points and ranked first on the 2016 Road to the Kentucky Derby, a series of races through which horses qualified for the 2016 Kentucky Derby.[16] In the Derby, he was the third betting choice behind the two-year-old champion Nyquist, who had also won the Florida Derby, and Exaggerator, who had won the Santa Anita Derby. Gun Runner broke well and raced with Nyquist just behind a fast early pace set by Dazzling Candy. As they rounded into the stretch, Gun Runner made his move and took the lead. Nyquist then responded and started to draw away. From far behind, Exaggerator made a strong run down the stretch to finish second, with Gun Runner holding on for third.[17]

With his connections opting to pass the final two legs of the Triple Crown, Gun Runner returned to action on June 18 in the Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs. He led from wire-to-wire, winning by 5+14 lengths while setting a stakes record. His time of 1:41.12 for 1+116 miles was just 0.02 seconds off the track record.[18]

His next start saw him face Nyquist and Exaggerator once again in the 2016 Haskell Invitational Stakes. On a sloppy track, he ran an uncharacteristically off the board race finishing fifth.[19] He rebounded with a third-place finish in the Travers Stakes, though well behind the winner, Arrogate, who set a track record for 10 furlongs with a final time of 1:59.36. "We ran into a freak today", Asmussen said. "I thought 2:02 would win it."[20]

 
Gun Runner before the 2016 Breeders' Cup

On September 24, Gun Runner again faced off with Nyquist and Exaggerator in the $1.25 million Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing. Gun Runner settled into fourth behind a fast early pace, then swung wide around the far turn to move into second. Meanwhile, Connect made his move along the rail and reached the lead in mid-stretch, then stood off Gun Runner's rally to win by half a length.[21]

After finishing second in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, Gun Runner ended his three-year-old season on November 25 against a strong field of older horses in the Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs. When the expected pacemaker Noble Bird broke poorly, Gun Runner took control of the race and led from wire-to-wire for the first Grade I win of his career. "I'm so proud of him", said Asmussen. "Walking him over, the horse has such confidence about him. He's kept his strength and his weight with the thousands of miles he's traveled this year on the stages that he's been on."[22]

2017: four-year-old season

Gun Runner won five of six races at age four. His only loss of the year was a second-place finish behind Arrogate in the Dubai World Cup. He turned the tables on Arrogate in the 2017 Breeders' Cup Classic, which helped him earn Horse of the Year honors.[1]

Winter and Spring

Gun Runner was stabled over the winter at the Fair Grounds, which was quarantined in January after two horses tested positive for the neuropathogenic strain of the equine herpesvirus. The connections of Gun Runner arranged to enter the horse in the inaugural running of the $12 million Pegasus World Cup on January 28 in what would have been his seasonal debut, but Gulfstream Park officials refused to allow him to travel to the track despite a negative blood test for the virus, as the horse had not been tested using a nasal swab.[23]

Instead, Gun Runner's 2017 seasonal debut came in the Grade III Razorback Handicap on February 20 at Oaklawn Park. Sent off as the 1–5 favorite in a field of six older horses, Gun Runner took the lead out of the gate and was never seriously challenged to win as he sped through 1+116 miles in 1:40.97, just two-fifths of a second off the stakes record of 1:4025.[24] The win cemented Gun Runner's reputation for durability, reliability and "consistent class", and encouraged his connections to run him in the $10 million Dubai World Cup. "He's getting better and better and (the Razorback) was an extremely pleasant performance, even better than anticipated", said Doug Cauthen of Three Chimneys Farm. "He's a heck of a nice horse and he's proven it."[25]

On March 25, Gun Runner entered the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai as part of a field of fourteen that was headlined by Arrogate, who had won the Breeders' Cup Classic and Pegasus World Cup after defeating Gun Runner in the Travers. On a muddy track, Gun Runner tracked the early leaders then took the lead as the field turned for home. Gun Runner continued to stride out well but succumbed to Arrogate, who had overcome a terrible start to record a dominant win. Gun Runner's second-place finish earned him $2 million.[26] After the Dubai World Cup, his connections announced that Gun Runner would run against Arrogate at least once more, in the 2017 Breeders' Cup Classic.[27]

Summer

On May 1, it was announced that Gun Runner's next start would be in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs on June 17.[28] The Stephen Foster is a "Win and You're In" race, part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge series. The winner of each "Win and You're In" race gets an automatic berth into a specific Breeders' Cup race, which for the Stephen Foster is the Breeders' Cup Classic.[29] Highweighted at 124 pounds, Gun Runner drew post 3 in the Stephen Foster and was installed as the 4–5 morning line favorite.[30][31] By post time, his odds had dropped to 1–2. Sent out to the lead early, Gun Runner set the pace and led the field into the first turn and onto the backstretch. On the second turn, 10–1 shot Stanford attempted to make a bid for the lead, but Gun Runner drew away to win by 7 lengths, a record margin of victory for the Stephen Foster.[31][32] Gun Runner's final time of 1:47.56 was only 0.28 seconds off of Victory Gallop's track record set in the 1999 Stephen Foster.[33] He was given a Timeform US rating of 139 for his performance, tied with Arrogate in the Pegasus World Cup for the highest Timeform rating achieved within the US in 2017 up until that point.[34]

Asmussen was relieved that Gun Runner had earned his spot in the Breeders' Cup Classic early. "There's not more I can say than this horse is simply the real deal", he said following Gun Runner's Stephen Foster win. Jockey Florent Geroux was also very impressed with Gun Runner's performance. "You know, going back and thinking about the race, it's very rare as a jockey that you can feel a horse never getting tired in a 1 1/8-mile Grade 1", he remarked.[35]

Gun Runner made his next start in the Whitney Stakes on August 5 at Saratoga, going off as the heavy 3–5 favorite. After a good start, he settled into second place behind Cautious Giant, who had been entered as a "rabbit" for his stablemate War Story. Entering the far turn, Geroux decided the pace was too slow and let Gun Runner assume control of the race. In the stretch, he continued to draw away to a 5+14 length victory, despite a strong late run from Keen Ice.[36]

The win attracted further attention on social media because Gun Runner ran the final half mile with a horseshoe caught in his tail; a shoe from Cautious Giant flew loose just as Gun Runner was starting his move. "We watched the tape repeatedly, repeatedly", said Asmussen, "and if you never seen anything before, just wait around. Can you believe that? I mean if we tried to throw one and stick in one's tail as he was standing, still we'd go 0-for-1,000 – let alone at a run, let alone Gun Runner, let alone in the Whitney – and it stayed. [With] how fast he was going [during the race], it was held out from him. When he slowed down to walk, then it came into him. We were obviously unaware of it until he came back to the winner's circle, but not a nick on him. I mean, there's still nails in it."[37][38][39] The shoe was originally thrown out by Asmussen's assistant trainer Scott Blasi, but after realizing the rarity of the situation Blasi paid $100 to a fan to get it back. It was eventually given to Asmussen's children.[40] The race improved Gun Runner's rating to 127 in the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings August update, third place worldwide.[41]

Autumn

On September 2, Gun Runner made his next start in the Woodward Stakes at Saratoga, going off as the prohibitive favorite in a field of five. Trainer Todd Pletcher entered two horses, with Neolithic assigned to set a fast early pace in the hopes of tiring Gun Runner, while Rally Cry was intended to close from behind. The race went much as expected, with Gun Runner stalking Neolithic for the first 6 furlongs before swinging to the lead on the far turn. Gun Runner maintained his momentum and eventually won by 10+14 lengths over the late-closing Rally Cry.[42] His time of 1:47.43 was the fastest Woodward Stakes since the race was moved to Saratoga in 2006[43] and earned Gun Runner a Beyer Speed Figure of 115.[44] He was also given a Timeform US rating of 142, the highest rating that the organization had ever assigned.[45] "That was better than the Whitney, just stronger, faster overall", said Geroux. "I don't think he's 100-percent cranked up yet. I really do think we have another step forward with him. We're going to need one against Arrogate."[43]

A few weeks after the Woodward, Asmussen sent Gun Runner to California with Blasi, exercise rider Angel Garcia and groom Gabino Gutierrez, allowing the horse time to acclimatize.[46] The 2017 Breeders' Cup Classic was help on November 4 at Del Mar Racetrack. Going into the race, handicappers were divided over who was the best horse in North America. Arrogate's victory in the Dubai World Cup over Gun Runner had been ranked as the best performance of the year up to that point in the World's Best Racehorse rankings, but Arrogate had suffered two losses after returning to the United States. By contrast, Gun Runner had won three straight Grade I races and appeared to be getting stronger.[47] Gun Runner was made the 9–5 morning-line favorite over Arrogate at 2–1 in a field of eleven.[48] By post time, the odds on Gun Runner had drifted out slightly to 2.4–1, making him the second betting choice. Collected, who had beaten Arrogate in the Pacific Classic earlier in the year, was the third choice.[49]

Gun Runner broke well and quickly moved up to the lead with Collected pressing him on the outside. They ran the opening quarter in a rapid 22.50 seconds, then Gun Runner opened a slight lead as he moved around the first turn and down the backstretch. Geroux kept him on a light rein, later saying that the horse was relaxed and happy, "flopping his ear back and forth."[50] Rounding the final turn, Collected closed ground and the two were head-and-head with a quarter of a mile remaining. Entering the stretch, Gun Runner responded to the challenge and again pulled away, winning by 2+14 lengths. Arrogate was never a factor in the race after breaking poorly, finishing in a dead heat for fifth.[51]

Gun Runner earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 117[51] while earning his first win at a distance of 1+14 miles, coming in his first start at Del Mar. He also won despite an apparent track bias where front runners on the inside of the track seemed to be at a disadvantage. "Things you’re scared of allow you to prove yourself", said Asmussen. "This was the stage where you need to be at your best, and he was at his best."[46]

In the final edition of the World rankings for 2017, Gun Runner was given a rating on 130, making him the third-best horse in the world, four pounds behind Arrogate, three behind Winx, and level with Cracksman.[52]

2018: Pegasus World Cup

 
Gun Runner in retirement at Three Chimneys Farm

On January 25, 2018, Gun Runner was voted American Champion Older Dirt Male Horse and Horse of the Year for 2017. He became the third Horse of the Year winner for trainer Steve Asmussen.[53]

Two nights later, Gun Runner entered his last race, the Pegasus World Cup. He drew an outside post position, which was cause for concern in a race of 1+18 miles at Gulfstream Park, where the start is very close to the first turn. However, Geroux used Gun Runner's early speed to get racing room and moved quickly towards the rail, settling in second place just to the outside of Collected. The two set a brisk early pace, then Gun Runner made his move on the far turn. Collected dropped back but West Coast started to close, getting to within a length in mid-stretch before Gun Runner responded by pulling away to a 2+12 length win. Gun Runner ended his career on a five-race winning streak – all of them Grade 1 tests. The $7,000,000 winner's purse brought Gun Runner's lifetime earnings to $15,988,500, which ranks second all-time among North American based thoroughbreds.[54]

Racing statistics

Date Age Distance Race Grade Track Odds Field Finish Winning time Winning
(Losing)
margin
Jockey Ref
Sep 11, 2015 2 1 mile Maiden Special Weight Maiden Churchill Downs 5.10 8 1 1:37.83 34 lengths Ricardo Santana Jr. [11]
Oct 17, 2015 2 1+116 miles Allowance Allowance Keeneland 3.50 8 1 1:44.69 2 lengths Ricardo Santana Jr. [55]
Nov 28, 2015 2 1+116 miles Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes II Churchill Downs 4.90 13 4 1:45.48 (3+14 lengths) Julien Leparoux [56]
Feb 20, 2016 3 1+116 miles Risen Star Stakes II Fair Grounds 5.10 11 1 1:43.94 12 length Florent Geroux [57]
Mar 26, 2016 3 1+18 miles Louisiana Derby II Fair Grounds 3.90 10 1 1:51.06 4+12 lengths Florent Geroux [58]
May 7, 2016 3 1+14 miles Kentucky Derby I Churchill Downs 10.30 20 3 2:01.31 (4+12 lengths) Florent Geroux [59]
Jun 18, 2016 3 1+116 miles Matt Winn Stakes III Churchill Downs 0.10* 6 1 1:41.12 5+14 lengths Florent Geroux [60]
Jul 31, 2016 3 1+18 miles Haskell Invitational I Monmouth Park 3.30 6 5 1:48.70 (6+14 lengths) Florent Geroux [61]
Aug 27, 2016 3 1+14 miles Travers Stakes I Saratoga 9.70 13 3 1:59.36 (15 lengths) Florent Geroux [62]
Sep 24, 2016 3 1+18 miles Pennsylvania Derby II Parx Racing 5.20 12 2 1:50.20 (12 length) Florent Geroux [63]
Nov 4, 2016 3 1 mile Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile I Santa Anita 4.00 9 2 1:35.72 (3+12 lengths) Florent Geroux [64]
Nov 25, 2016 3 1+18 miles Clark Handicap I Churchill Downs 2.10* 10 1 1:48.50 2+34 lengths Florent Geroux [65]
Feb 20, 2017 4 1+116 miles Razorback Handicap III Oaklawn Park 0.20* 6 1 1:40.97 5+34 lengths Florent Geroux [66]
Mar 25, 2017 4 1+14 miles Dubai World Cup I Meydan Racecourse 7.00 14 2 2:02.15 (2+14 lengths) Florent Geroux [67]
Jun 17, 2017 4 1+18 miles Stephen Foster Handicap I Churchill Downs 0.50* 8 1 1:47.56 7 lengths Florent Geroux [68]
Aug 5, 2017 4 1+18 miles Whitney Stakes I Saratoga 0.60* 7 1 1:47.71 5+14 lengths Florent Geroux [69]
Sep 2, 2017 4 1+18 miles Woodward Stakes I Saratoga 0.35* 5 1 1:47.43 10+14 lengths Florent Geroux [70]
Nov 4, 2017 4 1+14 miles Breeders' Cup Classic I Del Mar 2.40 11 1 2:01.29 2+14 lengths Florent Geroux [49]
Jan 27, 2018 5 1+18 miles Pegasus World Cup I Gulfstream Park 1.10* 12 1 1:47.41 2+12 lengths Florent Geroux [71]

An asterisk after the odds means Gun Runner was the post time favorite.

Stud career

After the Pegasus World Cup, Gun Runner was retired to stud at Three Chimneys for an advertised fee of $70,000 in his first season.[72] During the 2018 breeding season, he covered 172 mares.[9] Gun Runner's first reported foal was born on January 17, 2019, when Argentinean Group 1 winner Giuliet Seattle foaled a filly at Shadai Farm in Japan.[73]

Gun Runner was the leading first-crop sire of 2021, setting a freshman earnings record of $4.3 million. His leading performer was Echo Zulu, the American Champion Two-Year-Old Filly and winner of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.[74]

In 2022, Early Voting provided Gun Runner with a classic winner (Preakness Stakes) in his first crop.[75] In 2022, Gun Runner stood for $125,000.[75] On September 24, 2022, Gun Runner's progeny won both Grade 1 events at Parx Racing and three stakes events at Churchill Downs. Also during the September Yearling Sale at Keeneland five of his offspring were sold for over $1 million, with one filly dropping the hammer at $1.5 million.[76]

Notable progeny

c = colt, f = filly, g = gelding

Pedigree

Pedigree of Gun Runner (USA), chestnut stallion, foaled March 8, 2013[77]
Sire
Candy Ride (ARG)
1999
Ride the Rails
1991
Cryptoclearance Fappiano
Naval Orange
Herbalesian Herbager (FR)
Alanesian
Candy Girl (ARG)
1990
Candy Stripes Blushing Groom (FR)
Bubble Company (FR)
City Girl (ARG) Farnesio (ARG)
Cithara
Dam
Quiet Giant
2007
Giant's Causeway
1997
Storm Cat Storm Bird (CAN)
Terlingua
Mariah's Storm Rahy
Immense
Quiet Dance
1993
Quiet American Fappiano
Demure
Misty Dancer Lyphard
Flight Dancer (Family: 17-b)[78]

Gun Runner is inbred 4S × 4D to Fappiano, meaning Fappiano appears in the fourth generation on both the sire and dam's side of the pedigree. Gun Runner is also inbred to Blushing Groom 4S × 5D and Lyphard 5S × 4D.

See also

References

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runner, horse, runner, foaled, march, 2013, retired, american, thoroughbred, racehorse, 2017, american, horse, year, after, winning, four, grade, races, four, retired, with, earnings, nearly, million, runnergun, runner, 2016, breeders, cupsirecandy, ridegrands. Gun Runner foaled March 8 2013 is a retired American Thoroughbred racehorse who was the 2017 American Horse of the Year after winning four Grade I races at age four He retired with earnings of nearly 16 million Gun RunnerGun Runner at the 2016 Breeders CupSireCandy RideGrandsireRide The RailsDamQuiet GiantDamsireGiant s CausewaySexStallionFoaled 2013 03 08 March 8 2013 age 9 CountryUnited StatesColorChestnutBreederBesilu Stables LLCOwnerWinchell Thoroughbreds LLC and Three Chimneys FarmTrainerSteve AsmussenRecord19 12 3 2EarningsUS 15 988 500 1 Major winsRisen Star Stakes 2016 Louisiana Derby 2016 Matt Winn Stakes 2016 Clark Handicap 2016 Razorback Handicap 2017 Stephen Foster Handicap 2017 Whitney Handicap 2017 Woodward Stakes 2017 Pegasus World Cup 2018 Breeders Cup wins Breeders Cup Classic 2017 AwardsAmerican Horse of the Year 2017 American Champion Older Dirt Male Horse 2017 Timeform US rating 142 2 As a three year old he became one of the early favorites for the 2016 Kentucky Derby after winning both the Risen Star Stakes and Louisiana Derby Following a third place finish in the Kentucky Derby he won the Matt Winn Stakes and Clark Handicap and was second in the Breeders Cup Dirt Mile and Pennsylvania Derby As a four year old in 2017 he finished second in the Dubai World Cup then went on to win the Stephen Foster Handicap Whitney Stakes Woodward Stakes and Breeders Cup Classic His performance in the Whitney earned him a rating of 127 in the August 2017 update of the World s Best Racehorse Rankings ranking him in third place worldwide Prior to retiring to stud as a five year old he also won the 2018 Pegasus World Cup Contents 1 Background 2 Racing history 2 1 2015 two year old season 2 2 2016 three year old season 2 3 2017 four year old season 2 3 1 Winter and Spring 2 3 2 Summer 2 3 3 Autumn 2 4 2018 Pegasus World Cup 3 Racing statistics 4 Stud career 4 1 Notable progeny 5 Pedigree 6 See also 7 ReferencesBackground EditGun Runner is a chestnut stallion with a small white star and one white sock bred in Kentucky by Benjamin Leon Jr s Besilu Stables 3 His sire is Candy Ride an Argentinian bred horse who was undefeated in a six race career that included four Grade I wins in Argentina and the United States Although expectations for Candy Ride at stud were initially low he proved himself a successful sire whose offspring include champion Shared Belief 4 Candy Ride was among the top five sires in North America four times including a second place finish in 2017 4 5 Gun Runner is the first foal out of Quiet Giant a multiple stakes winner from a distinguished female family that traces to Hall of Fame inductee Gallorette Quiet Giant is by three time leading sire in North America Giant s Causeway out of the broodmare Quiet Dance the dam of Horse of the Year Saint Liam and Grade 1 winner Funtastic 6 Quiet Giant was owned by Edward P Ned Evans during the early part of her racing career Following Evans death in 2010 she finished her racing career under the ownership of his estate and was bought by Besilu Stables as a broodmare prospect at the Keeneland November sale in 2011 for 3 million 7 8 Quiet Giant was officially retired from racing and was bred to Candy Ride in 2012 resulting in the birth of Gun Runner at WinStar Farm on March 8 2013 He was bright and inquisitive as a young horse never much trouble and never sick or injured according to Chris Baker who was then the general manager of WinStar Farm Donnie Preston another WinStar employee noted that the young Gun Runner had a little bit of fire to him 8 Gun Runner was purchased in 2014 by Three Chimneys Farm as part of a package deal where Three Chimneys bought majority interests in Besilu s breeding stock weanlings and yearlings Three Chimneys originally planned to re sell Gun Runner at auction as a two year old but instead sold a half interest in the colt to Ron Winchell for an undisclosed price upon recommendation by his bloodstock advisor Dr David Lambert and Equine Analysis Systems 3 Physically Gun Runner is slightly taller than average standing just under 16 2 hands high 9 Chris Baker the chief operating officer of Three Chimneys summarized Gun Runner s main assets Pedigree Conformation Athleticism Just the way he always carried himself just very smart intelligent classy Easy moving horse kind of scopey and light but in a good way just an athlete We ve got a stallion barn that we want to fill He was the kind that had enough of the attributes on paper that if he did what we thought he could do he d be in our stallion barn And he hasn t proven us wrong yet 10 Racing history Edit2015 two year old season Edit Gun Runner won two of three starts at age two 1 On September 11 2015 he made his career debut at Churchill Downs winning a maiden special weight race over one mile by three quarters of a length 11 He followed up with a win in an allowance race at Keeneland on October 17 He made his graded stakes race debut on November 28 in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs 1 On a muddy track Gun Runner overcame some traffic problems to take the lead at the head of the stretch but was then overtaken and finished fourth 12 2016 three year old season Edit Gun Runner won four of nine starts at age three plus two second place finishes and two thirds 1 He was part of a competitive three year old crop that included Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist Preakness winner Exaggerator and the late developing Arrogate winner of the Travers and Breeders Cup Classic 13 Gun Runner began his three year old campaign on February 20 2016 in the Grade II Risen Star Stakes at the Fair Grounds Race Course With new jockey Florent Geroux Gun Runner settled in fourth then started his move around the final turn He hit the lead at the head of the stretch then held off a late run from Forevamo to win by half a length He s a very nice horse We re very lucky to have him said trainer Steve Asmussen I thought Florent gave him a beautiful trip with how the track was playing He s shown talent the whole time and it s definitely good to see him in the winner s circle in a race like this 14 On March 26 Gun Runner returned in the 1 million Louisiana Derby also at the Fair Grounds where he was the third betting choice at odds of just under 4 1 He was close behind a slow early pace then drew away in the stretch to win by 4 1 2 lengths in a dominant performance The good thing is he s very easy to manage said Geroux He has so many gears He settles really nicely and when you ask him to go he has a nice turn of foot 15 Gun Runner earned 151 points and ranked first on the 2016 Road to the Kentucky Derby a series of races through which horses qualified for the 2016 Kentucky Derby 16 In the Derby he was the third betting choice behind the two year old champion Nyquist who had also won the Florida Derby and Exaggerator who had won the Santa Anita Derby Gun Runner broke well and raced with Nyquist just behind a fast early pace set by Dazzling Candy As they rounded into the stretch Gun Runner made his move and took the lead Nyquist then responded and started to draw away From far behind Exaggerator made a strong run down the stretch to finish second with Gun Runner holding on for third 17 With his connections opting to pass the final two legs of the Triple Crown Gun Runner returned to action on June 18 in the Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs He led from wire to wire winning by 5 1 4 lengths while setting a stakes record His time of 1 41 12 for 1 1 16 miles was just 0 02 seconds off the track record 18 His next start saw him face Nyquist and Exaggerator once again in the 2016 Haskell Invitational Stakes On a sloppy track he ran an uncharacteristically off the board race finishing fifth 19 He rebounded with a third place finish in the Travers Stakes though well behind the winner Arrogate who set a track record for 10 furlongs with a final time of 1 59 36 We ran into a freak today Asmussen said I thought 2 02 would win it 20 Gun Runner before the 2016 Breeders Cup On September 24 Gun Runner again faced off with Nyquist and Exaggerator in the 1 25 million Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing Gun Runner settled into fourth behind a fast early pace then swung wide around the far turn to move into second Meanwhile Connect made his move along the rail and reached the lead in mid stretch then stood off Gun Runner s rally to win by half a length 21 After finishing second in the Breeders Cup Dirt Mile Gun Runner ended his three year old season on November 25 against a strong field of older horses in the Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs When the expected pacemaker Noble Bird broke poorly Gun Runner took control of the race and led from wire to wire for the first Grade I win of his career I m so proud of him said Asmussen Walking him over the horse has such confidence about him He s kept his strength and his weight with the thousands of miles he s traveled this year on the stages that he s been on 22 2017 four year old season Edit Gun Runner won five of six races at age four His only loss of the year was a second place finish behind Arrogate in the Dubai World Cup He turned the tables on Arrogate in the 2017 Breeders Cup Classic which helped him earn Horse of the Year honors 1 Winter and Spring Edit Gun Runner was stabled over the winter at the Fair Grounds which was quarantined in January after two horses tested positive for the neuropathogenic strain of the equine herpesvirus The connections of Gun Runner arranged to enter the horse in the inaugural running of the 12 million Pegasus World Cup on January 28 in what would have been his seasonal debut but Gulfstream Park officials refused to allow him to travel to the track despite a negative blood test for the virus as the horse had not been tested using a nasal swab 23 Instead Gun Runner s 2017 seasonal debut came in the Grade III Razorback Handicap on February 20 at Oaklawn Park Sent off as the 1 5 favorite in a field of six older horses Gun Runner took the lead out of the gate and was never seriously challenged to win as he sped through 1 1 16 miles in 1 40 97 just two fifths of a second off the stakes record of 1 402 5 24 The win cemented Gun Runner s reputation for durability reliability and consistent class and encouraged his connections to run him in the 10 million Dubai World Cup He s getting better and better and the Razorback was an extremely pleasant performance even better than anticipated said Doug Cauthen of Three Chimneys Farm He s a heck of a nice horse and he s proven it 25 On March 25 Gun Runner entered the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai as part of a field of fourteen that was headlined by Arrogate who had won the Breeders Cup Classic and Pegasus World Cup after defeating Gun Runner in the Travers On a muddy track Gun Runner tracked the early leaders then took the lead as the field turned for home Gun Runner continued to stride out well but succumbed to Arrogate who had overcome a terrible start to record a dominant win Gun Runner s second place finish earned him 2 million 26 After the Dubai World Cup his connections announced that Gun Runner would run against Arrogate at least once more in the 2017 Breeders Cup Classic 27 Summer Edit On May 1 it was announced that Gun Runner s next start would be in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs on June 17 28 The Stephen Foster is a Win and You re In race part of the Breeders Cup Challenge series The winner of each Win and You re In race gets an automatic berth into a specific Breeders Cup race which for the Stephen Foster is the Breeders Cup Classic 29 Highweighted at 124 pounds Gun Runner drew post 3 in the Stephen Foster and was installed as the 4 5 morning line favorite 30 31 By post time his odds had dropped to 1 2 Sent out to the lead early Gun Runner set the pace and led the field into the first turn and onto the backstretch On the second turn 10 1 shot Stanford attempted to make a bid for the lead but Gun Runner drew away to win by 7 lengths a record margin of victory for the Stephen Foster 31 32 Gun Runner s final time of 1 47 56 was only 0 28 seconds off of Victory Gallop s track record set in the 1999 Stephen Foster 33 He was given a Timeform US rating of 139 for his performance tied with Arrogate in the Pegasus World Cup for the highest Timeform rating achieved within the US in 2017 up until that point 34 Asmussen was relieved that Gun Runner had earned his spot in the Breeders Cup Classic early There s not more I can say than this horse is simply the real deal he said following Gun Runner s Stephen Foster win Jockey Florent Geroux was also very impressed with Gun Runner s performance You know going back and thinking about the race it s very rare as a jockey that you can feel a horse never getting tired in a 1 1 8 mile Grade 1 he remarked 35 Gun Runner made his next start in the Whitney Stakes on August 5 at Saratoga going off as the heavy 3 5 favorite After a good start he settled into second place behind Cautious Giant who had been entered as a rabbit for his stablemate War Story Entering the far turn Geroux decided the pace was too slow and let Gun Runner assume control of the race In the stretch he continued to draw away to a 5 1 4 length victory despite a strong late run from Keen Ice 36 The win attracted further attention on social media because Gun Runner ran the final half mile with a horseshoe caught in his tail a shoe from Cautious Giant flew loose just as Gun Runner was starting his move We watched the tape repeatedly repeatedly said Asmussen and if you never seen anything before just wait around Can you believe that I mean if we tried to throw one and stick in one s tail as he was standing still we d go 0 for 1 000 let alone at a run let alone Gun Runner let alone in the Whitney and it stayed With how fast he was going during the race it was held out from him When he slowed down to walk then it came into him We were obviously unaware of it until he came back to the winner s circle but not a nick on him I mean there s still nails in it 37 38 39 The shoe was originally thrown out by Asmussen s assistant trainer Scott Blasi but after realizing the rarity of the situation Blasi paid 100 to a fan to get it back It was eventually given to Asmussen s children 40 The race improved Gun Runner s rating to 127 in the Longines World s Best Racehorse Rankings August update third place worldwide 41 Autumn Edit On September 2 Gun Runner made his next start in the Woodward Stakes at Saratoga going off as the prohibitive favorite in a field of five Trainer Todd Pletcher entered two horses with Neolithic assigned to set a fast early pace in the hopes of tiring Gun Runner while Rally Cry was intended to close from behind The race went much as expected with Gun Runner stalking Neolithic for the first 6 furlongs before swinging to the lead on the far turn Gun Runner maintained his momentum and eventually won by 10 1 4 lengths over the late closing Rally Cry 42 His time of 1 47 43 was the fastest Woodward Stakes since the race was moved to Saratoga in 2006 43 and earned Gun Runner a Beyer Speed Figure of 115 44 He was also given a Timeform US rating of 142 the highest rating that the organization had ever assigned 45 That was better than the Whitney just stronger faster overall said Geroux I don t think he s 100 percent cranked up yet I really do think we have another step forward with him We re going to need one against Arrogate 43 A few weeks after the Woodward Asmussen sent Gun Runner to California with Blasi exercise rider Angel Garcia and groom Gabino Gutierrez allowing the horse time to acclimatize 46 The 2017 Breeders Cup Classic was help on November 4 at Del Mar Racetrack Going into the race handicappers were divided over who was the best horse in North America Arrogate s victory in the Dubai World Cup over Gun Runner had been ranked as the best performance of the year up to that point in the World s Best Racehorse rankings but Arrogate had suffered two losses after returning to the United States By contrast Gun Runner had won three straight Grade I races and appeared to be getting stronger 47 Gun Runner was made the 9 5 morning line favorite over Arrogate at 2 1 in a field of eleven 48 By post time the odds on Gun Runner had drifted out slightly to 2 4 1 making him the second betting choice Collected who had beaten Arrogate in the Pacific Classic earlier in the year was the third choice 49 Gun Runner broke well and quickly moved up to the lead with Collected pressing him on the outside They ran the opening quarter in a rapid 22 50 seconds then Gun Runner opened a slight lead as he moved around the first turn and down the backstretch Geroux kept him on a light rein later saying that the horse was relaxed and happy flopping his ear back and forth 50 Rounding the final turn Collected closed ground and the two were head and head with a quarter of a mile remaining Entering the stretch Gun Runner responded to the challenge and again pulled away winning by 2 1 4 lengths Arrogate was never a factor in the race after breaking poorly finishing in a dead heat for fifth 51 Gun Runner earned a career high Beyer Speed Figure of 117 51 while earning his first win at a distance of 1 1 4 miles coming in his first start at Del Mar He also won despite an apparent track bias where front runners on the inside of the track seemed to be at a disadvantage Things you re scared of allow you to prove yourself said Asmussen This was the stage where you need to be at your best and he was at his best 46 In the final edition of the World rankings for 2017 Gun Runner was given a rating on 130 making him the third best horse in the world four pounds behind Arrogate three behind Winx and level with Cracksman 52 2018 Pegasus World Cup Edit Gun Runner in retirement at Three Chimneys Farm On January 25 2018 Gun Runner was voted American Champion Older Dirt Male Horse and Horse of the Year for 2017 He became the third Horse of the Year winner for trainer Steve Asmussen 53 Two nights later Gun Runner entered his last race the Pegasus World Cup He drew an outside post position which was cause for concern in a race of 1 1 8 miles at Gulfstream Park where the start is very close to the first turn However Geroux used Gun Runner s early speed to get racing room and moved quickly towards the rail settling in second place just to the outside of Collected The two set a brisk early pace then Gun Runner made his move on the far turn Collected dropped back but West Coast started to close getting to within a length in mid stretch before Gun Runner responded by pulling away to a 2 1 2 length win Gun Runner ended his career on a five race winning streak all of them Grade 1 tests The 7 000 000 winner s purse brought Gun Runner s lifetime earnings to 15 988 500 which ranks second all time among North American based thoroughbreds 54 Racing statistics EditDate Age Distance Race Grade Track Odds Field Finish Winning time Winning Losing margin Jockey RefSep 11 2015 2 1 mile Maiden Special Weight Maiden Churchill Downs 5 10 8 1 1 37 83 3 4 lengths Ricardo Santana Jr 11 Oct 17 2015 2 1 1 16 miles Allowance Allowance Keeneland 3 50 8 1 1 44 69 2 lengths Ricardo Santana Jr 55 Nov 28 2015 2 1 1 16 miles Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes II Churchill Downs 4 90 13 4 1 45 48 3 1 4 lengths Julien Leparoux 56 Feb 20 2016 3 1 1 16 miles Risen Star Stakes II Fair Grounds 5 10 11 1 1 43 94 1 2 length Florent Geroux 57 Mar 26 2016 3 1 1 8 miles Louisiana Derby II Fair Grounds 3 90 10 1 1 51 06 4 1 2 lengths Florent Geroux 58 May 7 2016 3 1 1 4 miles Kentucky Derby I Churchill Downs 10 30 20 3 2 01 31 4 1 2 lengths Florent Geroux 59 Jun 18 2016 3 1 1 16 miles Matt Winn Stakes III Churchill Downs 0 10 6 1 1 41 12 5 1 4 lengths Florent Geroux 60 Jul 31 2016 3 1 1 8 miles Haskell Invitational I Monmouth Park 3 30 6 5 1 48 70 6 1 4 lengths Florent Geroux 61 Aug 27 2016 3 1 1 4 miles Travers Stakes I Saratoga 9 70 13 3 1 59 36 15 lengths Florent Geroux 62 Sep 24 2016 3 1 1 8 miles Pennsylvania Derby II Parx Racing 5 20 12 2 1 50 20 1 2 length Florent Geroux 63 Nov 4 2016 3 1 mile Breeders Cup Dirt Mile I Santa Anita 4 00 9 2 1 35 72 3 1 2 lengths Florent Geroux 64 Nov 25 2016 3 1 1 8 miles Clark Handicap I Churchill Downs 2 10 10 1 1 48 50 2 3 4 lengths Florent Geroux 65 Feb 20 2017 4 1 1 16 miles Razorback Handicap III Oaklawn Park 0 20 6 1 1 40 97 5 3 4 lengths Florent Geroux 66 Mar 25 2017 4 1 1 4 miles Dubai World Cup I Meydan Racecourse 7 00 14 2 2 02 15 2 1 4 lengths Florent Geroux 67 Jun 17 2017 4 1 1 8 miles Stephen Foster Handicap I Churchill Downs 0 50 8 1 1 47 56 7 lengths Florent Geroux 68 Aug 5 2017 4 1 1 8 miles Whitney Stakes I Saratoga 0 60 7 1 1 47 71 5 1 4 lengths Florent Geroux 69 Sep 2 2017 4 1 1 8 miles Woodward Stakes I Saratoga 0 35 5 1 1 47 43 10 1 4 lengths Florent Geroux 70 Nov 4 2017 4 1 1 4 miles Breeders Cup Classic I Del Mar 2 40 11 1 2 01 29 2 1 4 lengths Florent Geroux 49 Jan 27 2018 5 1 1 8 miles Pegasus World Cup I Gulfstream Park 1 10 12 1 1 47 41 2 1 2 lengths Florent Geroux 71 An asterisk after the odds means Gun Runner was the post time favorite Stud career EditAfter the Pegasus World Cup Gun Runner was retired to stud at Three Chimneys for an advertised fee of 70 000 in his first season 72 During the 2018 breeding season he covered 172 mares 9 Gun Runner s first reported foal was born on January 17 2019 when Argentinean Group 1 winner Giuliet Seattle foaled a filly at Shadai Farm in Japan 73 Gun Runner was the leading first crop sire of 2021 setting a freshman earnings record of 4 3 million His leading performer was Echo Zulu the American Champion Two Year Old Filly and winner of the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies 74 In 2022 Early Voting provided Gun Runner with a classic winner Preakness Stakes in his first crop 75 In 2022 Gun Runner stood for 125 000 75 On September 24 2022 Gun Runner s progeny won both Grade 1 events at Parx Racing and three stakes events at Churchill Downs Also during the September Yearling Sale at Keeneland five of his offspring were sold for over 1 million with one filly dropping the hammer at 1 5 million 76 Notable progeny Edit c colt f filly g gelding Foaled Name Sex Major Wins2019 Cyberknife c Arkansas Derby Haskell Stakes2019 Early Voting c Preakness Stakes2019 Echo Zulu f Spinaway Stakes Frizette Stakes Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies2019 Gunite c Hopeful Stakes2019 Society f Cotillion Stakes2019 Taiba c Santa Anita Derby Pennsylvania Derby Malibu StakesPedigree EditPedigree of Gun Runner USA chestnut stallion foaled March 8 2013 77 SireCandy Ride ARG 1999 Ride the Rails 1991 Cryptoclearance FappianoNaval OrangeHerbalesian Herbager FR AlanesianCandy Girl ARG 1990 Candy Stripes Blushing Groom FR Bubble Company FR City Girl ARG Farnesio ARG CitharaDamQuiet Giant 2007 Giant s Causeway 1997 Storm Cat Storm Bird CAN TerlinguaMariah s Storm RahyImmenseQuiet Dance 1993 Quiet American FappianoDemureMisty Dancer LyphardFlight Dancer Family 17 b 78 Gun Runner is inbred 4S 4D to Fappiano meaning Fappiano appears in the fourth generation on both the sire and dam s side of the pedigree Gun Runner is also inbred to Blushing Groom 4S 5D and Lyphard 5S 4D See also EditList of leading Thoroughbred racehorsesReferences Edit a b c d e Gun Runner Profile Equibase Archived from the original on January 27 2018 Retrieved January 28 2018 TimeformUS Speed Figure Report for week ending September 4 2017 Daily Racing Form Archived from the original on September 13 2017 Retrieved September 13 2017 a b Johnson Karen M What was it about Kentucky Derby hope Gun Runner that made two racing giants so keen to have him Thoroughbred Racing Commentary Archived from the original on April 23 2017 Retrieved April 22 2017 a b Hunter Avalyn Candy Ride American Classic Pedigrees Archived from the original on April 23 2017 Retrieved April 22 2017 2017 Leading Sires BloodHorse Archived from the original on August 17 2018 Retrieved August 16 2018 Pedigree Insights Gun Runner www thoroughbreddailynews com February 22 2016 Archived from the original on April 24 2017 Retrieved April 22 2017 Quiet Giant 2011 Keeneland November sale PDF Keeneland Sales Archived PDF from the original on November 7 2017 Retrieved June 6 2017 a b Tales from the Crib Gun Runner www kentuckyderby com Archived from the original on November 7 2017 Retrieved June 6 2017 a b Smart and Agile Gun Runner Adapts Quickly to Stud Duty BloodHorse com Archived from the original on August 16 2018 Retrieved August 16 2018 Gun Runner Validates Reasons for Partnership BloodHorse Archived from the original on April 24 2017 Retrieved April 23 2017 a b Chart for Maiden Special Weight Equibase Archived from the original on January 22 2019 Retrieved January 22 2019 Johnson J Keeler Can Gun Runner Upset the Risen Star Stakes cs bloodhorse com Archived from the original on April 24 2017 Retrieved April 23 2017 Haskin Steve Harvesting the Crop of 2013 cs bloodhorse com Archived from the original on January 22 2019 Retrieved January 22 2019 Angst Frank Gun Runner Opens 3 Year Old Season in Style BloodHorse Archived from the original on May 4 2017 Retrieved April 23 2017 LaMarra Tom Gun Runner Dominant in Louisiana Derby BloodHorse Archived from the original on April 24 2017 Retrieved April 23 2017 Kentucky Derby 2016 point standings Daily Racing Form Archived from the original on May 25 2016 Balan Jeremy Nyquist Unrelenting in Kentucky Derby Victory BloodHorse Archived from the original on April 18 2017 Retrieved April 23 2017 Gun Runner Dominant in Matt Winn Stakes BloodHorse Archived from the original on April 24 2017 Retrieved April 23 2017 Exaggerator takes command with victory in Haskell Daily Racing Form Archived from the original on March 19 2017 Retrieved April 23 2017 Arrogate Blazes to Travers Record BloodHorse Archived from the original on April 19 2017 Retrieved April 23 2017 Connect Bounces Back in Pennsylvania Derby BloodHorse Archived from the original on April 24 2017 Retrieved April 23 2017 Novak Claire Gun Runner Overcomes Elders in Clark BloodHorse Archived from the original on April 24 2017 Retrieved April 23 2017 Gun Runner Likely Out of Pegasus World Cup BloodHorse Archived from the original on April 24 2017 Retrieved April 23 2017 Gun Runner Rolls to Razorback Handicap Victory BloodHorse Archived from the original on April 24 2017 Retrieved April 23 2017 Gun Runner Brings Consistent Class to World Cup Stage BloodHorse Archived from the original on April 24 2017 Retrieved April 23 2017 Arrogate Last to First in Dubai World Cup BloodHorse Archived from the original on April 30 2017 Retrieved April 23 2017 BC Classic Endgame for Gun Runner in 2017 BloodHorse Archived from the original on April 24 2017 Retrieved April 24 2017 Gun Runner to Return in Stephen Foster Handicap BloodHorse com Archived from the original on June 7 2017 Retrieved June 6 2017 Gun Runner Awesome In Monday Breeze For Stephen Foster Horse Racing News Paulick Report May 29 2017 Archived from the original on May 29 2017 Retrieved June 6 2017 Gun Runner heavy favorite for Stephen Foster The Courier Journal Archived from the original on November 5 2021 Retrieved June 18 2017 a b Equibase com Chart of the Stephen Foster Handicap Equibase Archived from the original on August 23 2017 Retrieved June 18 2017 Gun Runner Powers to Easy Stephen Foster Win BloodHorse com Archived from the original on June 18 2017 Retrieved June 18 2017 Carasso Alan June 18 2017 Gun Salutes in Stephen Foster Tour de Force PDF Thoroughbred Daily News Archived PDF from the original on November 7 2017 Retrieved June 18 2017 TimeformUS Speed Figure Report for week ending June 18 2017 Daily Racing Form Archived from the original on July 3 2017 Retrieved June 21 2017 Asmussen Relishes Gun Runner s Foster Romp BloodHorse com Archived from the original on June 18 2017 Retrieved June 18 2017 Gun Runner Cruises in Whitney BloodHorse Archived from the original on August 6 2017 Retrieved August 5 2017 Lucky Rabbit s Foot Gun Runner s Extra Horseshoe Brings Additional Intrigue To Whitney Paulick Report August 6 2017 Archived from the original on August 6 2017 Retrieved August 7 2017 Aragona David August 5 2017 The moment Gun Runner added that extra bit of equipment on the backstretch of the Whitney pic twitter com Mi0VpwPeD6 HorseToWatch Archived from the original on November 5 2021 Retrieved August 5 2017 Livingston Barbara August 5 2017 GUN RUNNER won the Whitney with flothejock 124 pounds and a horseshoe anchor pic twitter com XGeAEDVStf DRFLivingston Archived from the original on November 5 2021 Retrieved August 5 2017 Hunter Avalyn Gun Runner American Classic Pedigrees Archived from the original on August 16 2018 Retrieved August 16 2018 Gun Runner Improves Arrogate Still Tops World Rankings BloodHorse Archived from the original on September 3 2017 Retrieved September 3 2017 Gun Runner Much the Best in Woodward BloodHorse Archived from the original on September 3 2017 Retrieved September 3 2017 a b Gun Runner romps in Woodward setting stage for Breeders Cup showdown Daily Racing Form Archived from the original on September 3 2017 Retrieved September 3 2017 Watchmaker Mike Arrogate still holds title belt over Gun Runner Daily Racing Form Daily Racing Form Archived from the original on September 4 2017 Retrieved September 3 2017 TimeformUS Speed Figure Report for week ending Sept 4 2017 Daily Racing Form Archived from the original on September 13 2017 Retrieved September 13 2017 a b Gun Runner points to Pegasus World Cup but then what Daily Racing Form Daily Racing Form Archived from the original on November 7 2017 Retrieved November 6 2017 Watchmaker Arrogate still holds title belt over Gun Runner Daily Racing Form Daily Racing Form Archived from the original on October 8 2017 Retrieved November 6 2017 Arrogate Gun Runner Headline Classic Showdown BloodHorse Archived from the original on November 7 2017 Retrieved November 6 2017 a b 2017 Breeders Cup Classic chart Equibase Archived from the original on December 6 2017 Retrieved November 5 2017 Gun Runner All The Way In Emphatic Breeders Cup Classic Victory Paulick Report November 5 2017 Archived from the original on November 7 2017 Retrieved November 6 2017 a b Privman Jay Gun Runner saves best for last in Breeders Cup Classic Daily Racing Form Daily Racing Form Archived from the original on November 7 2017 Retrieved November 6 2017 The 2017 World Thoroughbred Rankings International Federation of Horse Racing Authorities Archived from the original on January 25 2018 Retrieved January 23 2018 Gun Runner Takes Home Horse of the Year Eclipse Award BloodHorse com Archived from the original on January 26 2018 Retrieved January 26 2018 Gun Runner Goes Out a Winner in Pegasus World Cup BloodHorse Archived from the original on January 28 2018 Retrieved January 31 2018 Chart for Allowance Equibase Archived from the original on January 23 2019 Retrieved January 22 2019 Chart for the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes Equibase Archived from the original on January 22 2019 Retrieved January 22 2019 Chart for the Risen Star Equibase Archived from the original on January 22 2019 Retrieved January 22 2019 Chart for the Louisiana Derby Equibase Archived from the original on April 1 2016 Retrieved January 22 2019 Chart for the 2016 Kentucky Derby Equibase Archived from the original on June 14 2018 Retrieved January 22 2019 Chart for the Matt Winn Equibase Archived from the original on January 23 2019 Retrieved January 22 2019 Chart for the Haskel Invitational Equibase Archived from the original on August 30 2018 Retrieved January 22 2019 Chart for the Travers Equibase Archived from the original on January 22 2019 Retrieved January 22 2019 Chart for the Pennsylvania Derby Equibase Archived from the original on August 30 2018 Retrieved January 22 2019 Chart for the Breeders Cup Dirt Mile Equibase Archived from the original on January 22 2019 Retrieved January 22 2019 Chart for the Clark Handicap Equibase Archived from the original on January 23 2019 Retrieved January 22 2019 Chart for the Razorback Handicap Equibase Archived from the original on January 23 2019 Retrieved January 22 2019 Chart for the Dubai World Cup Racing Post Archived from the original on August 8 2019 Retrieved January 22 2019 Chart for the Stephen Foster Handicap Equibase Archived from the original on August 20 2018 Retrieved January 22 2019 Chart for the Whitney Equibase Archived from the original on January 23 2019 Retrieved January 22 2019 Chart for the Woodward Equibase Archived from the original on January 22 2019 Retrieved January 22 2019 Chart for the Pegasus World Cup Equibase Archived from the original on November 21 2018 Retrieved January 22 2019 Gun Runner to Stud After the Pegasus World Cup BloodHorse Archived from the original on November 8 2017 Retrieved November 8 2017 Gun Runner s First Foal Beautiful Well Balanced Filly Born In Japan Paulick Report January 25 2019 Archived from the original on January 26 2019 Retrieved January 25 2019 The 2021 Freshman Sire Yearbook Sorting Out The Podium Behind Gun Runner Horse Racing News Paulick Report paulickreport com Retrieved April 3 2022 a b Ehalt Bob May 21 2022 Early Voting Defeats Epicenter in Preakness Epicenter farther off the pace than usual rallied inside to grab second BloodHorse com Retrieved May 23 2022 Perez Joe September 26 2022 Gun Runner s Impact Proliferates After Banner Weekend The 9 year old son of Candy Ride stands at Three Chimneys Farm in Midway Ky BloodHorse com Retrieved September 27 2022 Pedigree of Gun Runner Equineline Archived from the original on April 24 2017 Retrieved April 24 2017 Thoroughbred Bloodlines Biddy Family 17 b www bloodlines net Archived from the original on August 14 2017 Retrieved April 22 2017 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Gun Runner horse amp oldid 1129814653, wikipedia, wiki, book, 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