Inaugurated in 2021, the $100,000 Gun Runner Stakes for 2-year-olds racing 1 1/16 miles at Truthful Grounds is among the youngest Highway to the 2025 Kentucky Derby Offered by Woodford Reserve prep races. But it’s already proved worthy as an necessary Kentucky Derby qualifier.
The primary version of the Gun Runner produced Wealthy Strike and Epicenter, the 1-2 finishers within the 2022 Kentucky Derby. The second version yielded two starters within the 2023 Kentucky Derby, and the third turned out a 2024 Kentucky Derby starter.
The fourth renewal of the Gun Runner takes place Saturday, Dec. 21, and drew a small however promising five-horse discipline. I rank #5 Admiral Dennis because the most certainly winner.
Conditioned by Kentucky Derby-winning coach Brad Cox, Admiral Dennis debuted on Sept. 19 in a maiden particular weight dash at Churchill Downs. Nothing went his method that day; each effort he made to seek out racing room down the homestretch was thwarted. Regardless of by no means getting a transparent run, he fought on to complete third whereas overwhelmed by two lengths.
That efficiency stamped Admiral Dennis because the odds-on favourite to win his second begin in a one-mile maiden particular weight race Nov. 7 at Churchill. This time he obtained a transparent journey in a nine-horse discipline, monitoring an sincere tempo from third earlier than taking up to win by 3 1/2 lengths within the sharp time of 1:35.87. The type of that race was flattered when the third-place finisher, Monet’s Magic, returned to win his subsequent begin on the similar observe and sophistication degree.
Admiral Dennis has since shipped to Truthful Grounds, the place he labored five-eighths of a mile in 1:00.60 on Dec. 7. That was the quickest time of fifty that morning on the distance. From all appearances, Admiral Dennis is poised to provide one other robust run for the new jockey-trainer duo of Luis Saez and Cox, who’ve teamed as much as win at a lofty 30% fee during the last two months per Brisnet statistics.
If you happen to’re planning to guess the Gun Runner Stakes, we suggest throwing your whole help behind Admiral Dennis, relying on him to go to the winner’s circle. One technique to think about is betting Admiral Dennis on prime of a superfecta, which requires deciding on the highest 4 finishers so as.
Which horses ought to we use for second, third, and fourth place? One apparent contender is #3 Magnitude from the barn of Steve Asmussen, who has gained two of the primary three editions of the Gun Runner Stakes. Magnitude faltered in his first strive in a Kentucky Derby factors race, ending seventh within the Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes at Churchill. However he bounced again in a 1 1/16-mile, $100,000 allowance-optional claiming race at Churchill final month, urgent the tempo earlier than taking up to win by one size. The runner-up pulled 15 lengths away from the remainder of the sector, so it’s secure to say Magnitude ran properly.
#2 Render Judgment is sure to attract betting help, too. After rallying to complete second in his debut dashing seven-eighths of a mile at Keeneland, he stretched out for a 1 1/16-mile maiden particular weight race at Churchill and charged from simply off the tempo to win by half a size. He then picked up a Highway to the Kentucky Derby qualifying level when rallying mildly to complete fifth in Churchill’s 1 1/16-mile, Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Membership Stakes.
Don’t underestimate #1 Constructed, who defeated Render Judgment by 1 1/2 lengths within the above-mentioned seven-furlong dash at Keeneland. That win adopted Constructed’s debut over three-quarters of a mile at Ellis Park, through which he rallied to complete fourth (upgraded to 3rd through disqualification) towards subsequent Grade 1 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity winner East Avenue.
Constructed is stretching out meaningfully in distance for the Gun Runner, however his pedigree suggests he’ll relish the longer journey. Sharp exercises since his victory over Render Judgment recommend this promising bay colt is a significant contender within the Gun Runner. He confirmed glorious early velocity when breaking his maiden, and there’s a superb likelihood he’ll set the Gun Runner tempo whereas breaking from the within submit. From there, he might show difficult to cross.
Relying in your funds, listed here are two superfecta tickets to think about taking part in within the Gun Runner:
Wagering Technique on a $12 Finances
$2 superfecta: 5 with 1,2,3 with 1,2,3 with 1,2,3 (complete price $12)
What to say on the betting window: Truthful Grounds, seventh race, $2 superfecta 5 with 1,2,3 with 1,2,3 with 1,2,3
Wagering Technique on a $30 Finances
$5 superfecta: 5 with 1,2,3 with 1,2,3 with 1,2,3 (complete price $30)
What to say on the betting window: Truthful Grounds, seventh race, $5 superfecta 5 with 1,2,3 with 1,2,3 with 1,2,3
Good luck, and benefit from the race!
