Saturday is the Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds. The 2-year-old Stakes contest is the first of four Kentucky Derby preps at Fair Grounds.
The mile & 1/16th Gun Runner will offer a total of 21 Derby qualifying points on a scale of 10-5-3-2-1 to the top five finishers.
Here is a brief look at Saturday’s field:
1. MESQUITE [ML 9-2] Jockey: Jose Ortiz. Trainer: Cherie DeVaux. Seemed to come to life when stretched out to two turns in his second start. Gets the rail and a top jockey and could be a player if the pace is fast enough.
2. CHIP HONCHO [ML 9-2] Jockey: Paco Lopez. Trainer: Steve Asmussen. Showed some speed to break his maiden in quick time in his second start after settling for 2nd in his debut. This will be his first try at two turns, and it’s worth noting that Jose Ortiz, rode this one to victory last time out, but has opted to ride MESQUITE here.
3. LIBERTY NATIONAL [ML 7-2] Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr. Trainer: Ken McPeek. He too reached the Winner’s Circle in his second try. Closed from 7th to win easily at this 1 1/16-mile distance at Churchill Downs. Had a nice breeze on Fair Grounds main track and should be a key factor in this contest.
4. QUALITY MISCHIEF [ML 10-1] Jockey: Marcelino Pedroza Jr. Trainer: Brad Cox. He as well, broke his maiden second time out. His came at Horseshoe in Indianapolis, with a slow time against a field of off-the-turf runners.
5. CROWN THE BUCKEYE [ML 5-1] Jockey: Jareth Loveberry. Trainer: Mike Maker. The lone starter with something on his résumé besides a Maiden win. He has won both of his last two starts in Stakes, but they came in Stakes restricted to Ohio-breds. He showed decent speed, but he’ll get tested for class here.
6. ARABIA WILD [ML 8-1] Jockey: Axel Conception. Trainer: Brad Cox. Has a win at this track and distance but the time was so-so. He’s a son of GUN RUNNER so winning might be in his DNA, and to get a victory in a race named after his daddy would be pretty cool.
7. VERY CONNECTED [ML 9-2] Jockey: Colby Hernandez. Trainer: Ken McPeek. He has graded stakes experience, as he ran 4th in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, and came 3rd in the Street Sense Stakes, all which gives him an obvious edge in experience. He’s also a closer who would be helped by a fast pace.
8. MISTER PUNCH [ML 6-1] Jockey: Luis Saez. Trainer: Brad Cox. The third entrant for this trainer may be the best one. He also broke his Maiden second time out, but it was his first on dirt and was a big step up in terms of speed figures. Might work out a beneficial stalking trip from the outside post. He’s worth a serious look for the top spot and will offer value should his Morning Line hold steady.
The Gun Runner Stakes is slated as race 11 on a card of 12 with a scheduled Post Time of 6:45 ET.
Best of luck however you play it.
