Final Derby Preparations Begin for Gun Runner

Final Derby Preparations Begin for Gun Runner

Photo By Amanda Hodges Weir/Hodges Photography

Louisiana Derby (gr. II) winner Gun Runner has wasted no time shipping to Churchill Downs and getting started with his final preparations for the Kentucky Derby. On the morning of April 4th, just nine days after his decisive victory in the Louisiana Derby, Gun Runner breezed four furlongs early in the morning at Churchill Downs, getting the distance in an easy :50 3/5 seconds.

Trained by Steve Asmussen, Gun Runner had regular rider Florent Geroux in the saddle and wasn’t asked for his best run down the homestretch, but continued on strongly past the finish line.

Gun Runner has won four of his five career starts and is 2-for-2 this year, having opened 2016 with a win in the Risen Star Stakes (gr. II) at Fair Grounds. Last year, he won his debut going a mile at Churchill Downs before winning an allowance race at Keeneland and finishing a good fourth in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (gr. II) over a sloppy track at Churchill.

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Follow J. Keeler Johnson ("Keelerman"):

J. Keeler Johnson is a writer, blogger, videographer, and all-around horse racing enthusiast who was drawn to the sport by Curlin's quest to become North America's richest racehorse. A great fan of racing history, he considers Dr. Fager to be the greatest racehorse ever produced in America, but counts Zenyatta as his all-time favorite. He lives in Wisconsin and also writes for the Bloodhorse.com blog Unlocking Winners.

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