Pedigree fun facts: 2022 Gun Runner

Ironically, one of the main contenders, Hayes Strike, is by an old rival of Gun Runner. His sire, Connect (by Hall of Famer Curlin), toppled Gun Runner by a half-length in the 2016 Pennsylvania Derby (G2). Hayes Strike is out of Plaid, a multiple stakes winner and Grade 3-placed daughter of Deputy Commander, the 1997 Travers (G1) hero. 

Hayes Strike is a half-brother to Senior Investment, a veteran of the 2017 Triple Crown trail. Then trained by Ken McPeek, like Hayes Strike, Senior Investment finished sixth in the Louisiana Derby (G2) before capturing the Lexington (G3), placing third in the Preakness (G1), and winding up fifth in the Belmont (G1).

Five of the Gun Runner entrants are by stallions who were themselves Kentucky Derby hopefuls.

Old Alliance is by Hard Spun, second in the 2007 Run for the Roses. Hard Spun kicked off his sophomore season right here at Fair Grounds with a 6 1/2-length romp in the Lecomte (G3). Old Alliance is out of a half-sister to European champion juvenile Air Force Blue, from the further family of Flanders, the 1994 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) champion. Flanders produced a champion herself in Surfside.

Jace’s Road is by Quality Road, the early favorite for the 2009 Kentucky Derby with big wins in the Fountain of Youth (G2) and Florida Derby (G1). Unfortunately, Quality Road was sidelined by quarter-cracks and missed the Triple Crown. Jace’s Road’s dam, multiple stakes-placed Out Post, is a relative of Hall of Famer Silverbulletday, namesake of a Fair Grounds prep for the Kentucky Oaks (G1).

Determinedly’s sire, Cairo Prince, dominated the 2014 Holy Bull (G2) but never raced again after a fourth in the Florida Derby. As his name implies, Cairo Prince is by Pioneerof the Nile, the 2009 Derby runner-up and sire of 2015 Triple Crown conqueror American Pharoah. Determinedly was produced by Bailzee, a multiple stakes-placed daughter of Grand Slam and Golden Gale, winner of the 1996 Beaumont (G2). Golden Gale is by Summer Squall, who was second to Unbridled in the 1990 Derby but turned the tables in the Preakness.

Raise Cain is a son of Violence, a leading player on the 2013 trail before losing his perfect record in the Fountain of Youth. He exited that runner-up effort, to future Derby winner Orb, with an injury that proved career-ending. Violence is himself by Medaglia d’Oro, a stalwart of the 2002 Triple Crown who was second in the Belmont before starring in the Travers. Raise Cain’s broodmare sire, Lemon Drop Kid, landed both the Belmont and Travers in 1999 and eventually became the champion older male of 2000. Raise Cain’s dam is a half to Unrivaled Belle, heroine of the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (then called the Ladies’ Classic) (G1) and herself the dam of two-time Eclipse Award champion Unique Bella.

Mazing Mark is from the first crop of Mo Town, the 2016 Remsen (G2) winner who was fifth as the favorite in the Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds in 2017. Although ultimately off the Kentucky Derby trail, Mo Town roared back later in the season to take the Hollywood Derby (G1) on turf. By champion Uncle Mo, Mo Town is a half-brother to current Kentucky Oaks hopeful Justique; both are out of Grazie Mille, by champion Bernardini. Mazing Mark is himself out of a Malibu Moon mare. Because Malibu Moon and Bernardini are both by A.P. Indy, Mazing Mark is inbred to that 1992 Belmont-winning Hall of Famer.

Andthewinneris likewise represents a freshman sire, but one who raced exclusively on turf – Oscar Performance. By turf champ Kitten’s Joy, Oscar Performance won the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1), 2017 Belmont Derby (G1) and Secretariat (G1), and 2018 Woodbine Mile (G1). Andthewinneris also has turf elements on his maternal side, descending from Chilean champion Santona. Yet there’s dirt influence to be found as well. Andthewinneris counts as his broodmare sire Scat Daddy, whose versatile progeny include 2018 Triple Crown sweeper Justify. His second dam (granddam) is an Unbridled’s Song half-sister to 2003 Penn Derby scorer Grand Hombre.