America’s Gun Runner not anchored by fifth horseshoe

Tom Walter - Monday August 7

How does a horse win a race with five horseshoes?

Gun Runner wins at Saratoga with a horseshoe entangled in his tail.

That question was answered in Saturday's Grade I Whitney Stakes (1-1/8m) at Saratoga when the Steve Asmussen-trained Gun Runner (3-5 fav) finished first past the post with a rival's shoe caught in his tail.

The shoe belonged to Cautious Giant which finished last while Gun Runner cruised to his second Grade I win since finishing runner-up to Arrogate in the Group I Dubai World Cup (2000m) in March.

"They'll probably blame me and say I told him to throw it at him," Cautious Giant's co-owner Ron Paolucci told Bloodhorse.

"I'm going to call Asmussen and tell him I want my shoe back."

Finishing 5-1/4 lengths behind Gun Runner in second was Keen Ice, a horse that earned fame for upsetting American Pharoah in the Grade I Travers' Stakes (1-1/4m) at the same track almost two years ago.

Gun Runner's victory earned him a guaranteed spot in the Breeders' Cup Classic (1-1/4m) on November 5 at Del Mar where a rematch with Arrogate is a distinct possibility.

As for Arrogate, the Bob Baffert-trained galloper will be out to reaffirm his status as the world's highest rated racehorse in the Grade I Pacific Classic (1-1/4m) on August 19 after an inexplicably poor performance in the Grade II San Diego Handicap (1-1/16m) last month.

Advertisment
More Reading...
$6million Frankel Mare Tops Fasig -Tipton November Sale
The Fasig-Tipton November Sale, billed as the World’s Premier Breeding Stock Event, was held Monday at the company’s Newtown Paddocks in Lexington, Kentucky. Twenty-five offerings sold for $1,000,000 or more, led by a trio of Grade/Group 1 winners with international appeal.
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.
More Stakes Success for Air Assault
Group I placed last season in the SA Derby, talented gelding Air Assault kept the winning run going for Victoria Derby winning trainer Andrew Gluyas when taking out the Listed SAJC John Letts Cup (1800m) at Morphettville on Melbourne Cup Day.
Antrim Coast to Fly Flag for The Oaks Stud
The well-renowned colours of The Oaks Stud will feature across two feature Trans-Tasman meetings this week, kicking off with Antrim Coast lining up in the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
All Too Hard's Arran Bay Brave in the Furphy Plate
Phillip Stokes admitted his preference was to run Arran Bay in the Listed John Letts Cup at Morphettville but was overruled by the owners, who made the correct decision in favouring the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) at Flemington.
Coolmore Set Justify Fee for 2025
Coolmore have announced the US fee for Justify in 2025 with the undefeated Triple Crown winner priced at $US250,000 to head  their roster of 16 stallions at Ashford Stud in Kentucky.
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
Magic Nick Strikes Again – Fastnet Rock x Galileo
The Fastnet Rock x Galileo nick has been on fire in Melbourne this spring producing Cox Plate winner Via Sistina (IRE) and leading Melbourne Cup contender Buckaroo (GB) and it struck again overnight in the UK with a brand new stakes-winner in Military Academy, who captured the Listed Floodlit Stakes (1m4f) at Kempton.
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.
Sires With Winners - Monday November 4
Here is the full list of 21 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.