Gun Runner, a horse with an extraordinary career, began by winning his first two races. However, his 2-year-old season ended with a fourth-place finish in a Grade 2 event. At 3, he achieved great success, winning four stakes including the Risen Star, Louisiana Derby, Matt Winn, and Clark. But he came up short in the Kentucky Derby, Haskell, Travers, Pennsylvania Derby, and Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. Despite being a consistent and durable horse, he wasn't quite at the top class.

His Great Leap Forward

At the age of 4, Gun Runner transformed into an unstoppable force. His 2017 Horse of the Year campaign was marked by consecutive Grade 1 triumphs in the Stephen Foster, Whitney, Woodward, and Breeders’ Cup Classic. In January the following year, he continued his dominance with a romp in the Pegasus World Cup, which was his career finale.He has become a sensation as a stallion, siring 10 Grade 1 winners including the Classic hero Sierra Leone. At Three Chimneys Farm, he commands a $250,000 stud fee. In August, he was a first-ballot inductee into the Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs.

About the Gun Runner Stakes

The $100,000, 1 1/16-mile Gun Runner Stakes for 2-year-olds will be held for the fourth time on Saturday at the Fair Grounds. This is a Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier, awarding points on a 10-5-3-2-1 basis for the first five finishers. (Since it's only a five-horse field, everyone gets a participation trophy.) Also on the six-stakes card is the Untapable, which offers Kentucky Oaks points to the 2-year-old fillies.

Handicapping Tips for the Gun Runner

Horses are listed in post-position order from the rail out, with jockey, trainer, and odds in parentheses.For Built:This speedy colt seems to have a pace advantage as he makes his stakes and two-turn debut. Corey Lanerie is expected to gun from the rail. If he shakes free, Built's solid distance pedigree (by Hard Spun out of a Curlin mare) could lead him to victory.Verdict: A strong contender to win.For Render Judgment:He broke his maiden going two turns in his second start but finished a never-close fifth in a Grade 2 stakes at Churchill Downs. With no early speed, it will be difficult for him to catch up.Verdict: Not a serious contender.For Magnitude:He stalked a slow pace last time to win his first time going two turns. Jose Ortiz, a brilliant position rider, is dominating (35% wins) early in the Fair Grounds meet. He will likely track the pace and hope to get the first run on the others if Built fades.Verdict: A strong contender to win.For Chris’s Revenge:He deserves to be the longest shot on the morning line. His only victory was in a maiden optional claimer going 6½ furlongs. Brittany Russell is an excellent trainer having a terrific year, but this horse faces a tough challenge.Verdict: Not a likely winner.For Admiral Dennis:He has been training well at the Fair Grounds after easily winning by 3½ lengths under Luis Saez going a mile at Churchill. His sire Constitution and maternal grandsire Union Rags give him a good chance to excel in his first time going two turns. Brad Cox has a barn filled with top 2-year-olds, and Saez has been on a hot streak.Verdict: The horse to beat.The picks: 1 Admiral Dennis 2 Built 3 MagnitudeThe writing team at US Racing consists of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.