Study Guide: 2024 Gun Runner Stakes

Dec 16, 2024 J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

The 1 1/16-mile Gun Runner S. at Fair Grounds made headlines when its inaugural running in 2021 churned out 2022 Kentucky Derby (G1) 1-2 finishers Rich Strike and Epicenter.

A five-horse field has entered the 2024 Gun Runner. Each horse is guaranteed to pick up at least one Road to the Kentucky Derby qualification point since the race awards points on a 10-5-3-2-1 basis to the top five finishers.

Let’s examine the field:

Built

Start(s): 2
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 1

Owner: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners
Breeder: Robert Low and Lawana Low
Trainer: Wayne Catalano
Jockey: Corey Lanerie

Top Speed Rating: (89) when winning a Keeneland maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $64,204

Sire: Hard Spun
Dam: Sea Garden
Color: Bay

Built couldn’t keep pace with future Breeders’ Futurity (G1) winner East Avenue when debuting in a six-furlong sprint at Ellis Park, placing third by 9 3/4 lengths. But he improved in his second start, using early speed to win a seven-furlong maiden special weight by 1 1/2 lengths over Gun Runner rival Render Judgment. Built is bred to stretch out over 1 1/16 miles and may prove formidable if he makes the lead from post 1.

Render Judgment

Start(s): 3
Wins: 1
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: Baccari Racing Stable, Dream Walkin Farms, MJM Racing, and Rocket Ship Racing
Breeder: Green Lantern Stables
Trainer: Kenny McPeek
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.

Top Speed Rating: (87) when winning a Churchill Downs maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $99,110

Sire: Blame
Dam: Barbara Gordon
Color: Bay

Render Judgment produced a big late rally to finish second in his debut sprinting against Built. He then stretched out over 1 1/16 miles to win a maiden special weight and finish fifth in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. The Gun Runner is an easier spot than the Kentucky Jockey Club, and a top-three finish should be well within reach for Render Judgment.

Magnitude

Start(s): 4
Wins: 2
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds
Breeder: Ron Stolich
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Top Speed Rating: (86) when winning a Churchill Downs $100,000 allowance optional claimer.
Total Earnings: $123,665

Sire: Not This Time
Dam: Rockadelic
Color: Bay

Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen has won two of the first three editions of the Gun Runner. In search of a third win, he’ll saddle Magnitude. The bay colt faltered in his first Road to the Kentucky Derby foray, finishing seventh in the Iroquois (G3), but he bounced back to take a 1 1/16-mile $100,000 allowance optional claimer at Churchill Downs in fine fashion. Under hot jockey Jose Ortiz, Magnitude has a strong chance to challenge in his return to the Derby trail.

Chris’s Revenge

Start(s): 3
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: Nice Guys Stables
Breeder: Three Diamonds Farm
Trainer: Brittany Russell
Jockey: Jaime Torres

Top Speed Rating: (81) when winning an Aqueduct $50,000 maiden optional claimer.
Total Earnings: $45,440

Sire: Instagrand
Dam: Summer Squeeze
Color: Bay

Chris’s Revenge broke his maiden in a 6 1/2-furlong $50,000 maiden optional claimer at Aqueduct, but subsequently finished fourth when stretching out over one mile for a $50,000 starter allowance at Churchill Downs. He’ll need a step forward to factor against tougher competition in the Gun Runner.

Admiral Dennis

Start(s): 2
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 1

Owner: Albaugh Family Stables
Breeder: WinStar Farm
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Luis Saez

Top Speed Rating: (91) when winning a Churchill Downs maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $81,000

Sire: Constitution
Dam: Gulf Coast
Color: Chestnut

Admiral Dennis endured a troubled trip when finishing third by two lengths in his debut sprinting at Churchill Downs. A clean journey while stretching out over one mile for his second start made all the difference as Admiral Dennis tracked the pace on his way to a 3 1/2-length victory. The 91 Brisnet Speed rating he posted is the highest number in the Gun Runner field, so Admiral Dennis looms as the horse to beat in his stakes debut.