Tejano Twist heads Gun Runner; California Angel, Cocktail Moments vie in Untapable

Dec 18, 2021 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

A tremendous 13-race card at Fair Grounds awaits fans on Dec. 26, with the
stakes action highlighted by new additions to the 2022 Road to the Kentucky
Derby and Kentucky Oaks series.

For Derby aspirants, the $100,000 Gun Runner S. at 1 1/16 miles kicks off the
Fair Grounds' series, which continues into the new year with the traditional
Lecomte (G3), Risen Star (G2), and Louisiana Derby (G2). The $100,000 Untapable
S., named for the 2013 champion three-year-old filly, will be run at one mile
and 70 yards and is the first in a series of local Kentucky Oaks preps that
includes the Silverbulletday S., Rachel Alexandra (G2), and Fair Grounds Oaks
(G2).

The Gun Runner, named for the 2016 Louisiana Derby winner and 2017 Horse of
the Year, features three-time winner Tejano Twist. Trained by Bret
Calhoun, Tejano Twist will be testing his two-turn ability for the first time
after a recent half-length victory in the Lively Shively S. at Churchill Downs
over 6 1/2 furlongs.

Several last-out maiden winners also figure to take betting action in the Gun
Runner. Epicenter, Rocket Dawg, and Surfer Dude all
graduated during the November meet at Churchill, with the Brad Cox-trained
Rocket Dawg winning on debut by 5 1/2 lengths.

Waita Minute Hayes has crossed the wire first in all three appearances
on the main track, though he was demoted from first to second in the Jean
Lafitte S. at Delta Downs most recently.

The field of eight fillies in the Untapable his headed by Jessamine (G2)
winner California Angel, most recently beaten four lengths when finishing
11th in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1). The daughter of California
Chrome was third in her only prior run on the main track, a six-furlong
allowance at Churchill that seemingly proved too short for her.

Vying for favoritism will be Cocktail Moments, whose electric 9
1/4-length debut win at odds of 26-1 was one of several victories for trainer
Kenny McPeek on Churchill's Nov. 27 Star of Tomorrow II program.

The Gun Runner and Untapable will offer respective Derby and Oaks qualifying
points of 10-4-2-1 to their top four finishers. Post time for the Untapable is
5:35 p.m. ET and the scheduled post for the Gun Runner is 6:06 p.m. ET. Both
races can be watched and wagered on at
TwinSpires.com.