Built leads all the way in Gun Runner; Her Laugh stays perfect in Untapable

Dec 21, 2024 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

Built on Saturday kicked off a series of four Kentucky Derby (G1) preps at Fair Grounds this winter with an emphatic 6 3/4-length triumph in the $96,000 Gun Runner S.

Making his first start since breaking his maiden second out at Keeneland on Oct. 6, Built seized the lead from post 1, held a measured lead through modest fractions, and then drew off down the stretch to post the easy win under Jareth Loveberry.

'You always like it when the pace is slow and you're on the lead,' said Wayne Catalano, who trains Built for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. 'Drawing the rail with speed, he handled it well.'

Built covered 1 1/16 miles over a fast track in 1:43.53 and paid $9.80.

Magnitude was second best by 2 3/4 lengths over Render Judgment, while 4-5 favorite Admiral Dennis finished another 10 3/4 lengths behind in fourth after stumbling at the start. Chris's Revenge trailed the field of five in the final Road to the Kentucky Derby series race of the year.

Built earned 10 qualifying points toward the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) in May. Magnitude earned five points, while Render Judgment increased his total from one point to four points. Admiral Dennis secured two points and Chris's Revenge earned one point.

💪 Built
💭 C K Wonder
🥃 Blameitonbourbon @J_Keelerman has a trio of maiden winners from Keeneland this past week! 🏇 https://t.co/RyEyFizHfK

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) October 9, 2024

A son of 2007 Kentucky Derby runner-up Hard Spun, Built is now 2-for-3. Prior to his 1 1/2-length maiden win over Render Judgment going seven furlongs at Keeneland, Built was elevated from fourth to third via disqualification in an Ellis Park maiden won eventual Breeders' Futurity (G1) conqueror East Avenue.

Bred in Kentucky by Robert and Lawana Low and most recently sold for $250,000 at OBS in April, Built was produced by Sea Garden, a Curlin half-sister to Grade 2 winner Glenville Gardens.

The $99,000 Untapable S., the filly counterpart to the Gun Runner, was won in virtually the same fashion by Her Laugh, who improved her record to 2-for-2 after lengthening her advantage in the stretch after setting a moderate early tempo.

Under Axel Concepcion, Her Laugh won by 2 1/2 lengths from 11-10 favorite Golden Gamble. California Sunset finished a length behind in third, while Stable Currency and Drexel Hill rounded out the top five in the field of eight.

Her Laugh covered one mile and 70 yards in 1:43.72 and paid $11. A homebred racing for Grantley Acres, Her Laugh is trained by Whit Beckman.

Her Laugh earned 10 qualifying points toward the 2025 Kentucky Oaks (G1). Golden Gamble secured five points, California Sunset three points, Stable Currency two points, and Drezel Hill one point.

A daughter of Practical Joke, Her Laugh won a stretch duel in her Nov. 7 debut at Churchill Downs, winning by a head going six furlongs. This victory increased her career earnings to $102,000.

A Kentucky-bred, Her Laugh was produced by Truth Goddess, a daughter of Point of Entry.