Gunite won his fourth stakes in five tries on Saturday with a dominating score in the $250,000 Perryville S. at Keeneland.
The 3-year-old was one of two stakes winners on the day for Gun Runner; Wicked Halo followed up with a victory in the Raven Run S. (G2) about 90 minutes after Gunite’s win.
Gun Runner has had a remarkable 2022, dominating the Second-Crop sire list in every statistical category, and remarkably ranking in the top 10 on General Sire list with more than $11.2 million in progeny earnings to date.
Gunite turned in arguably his best performance of the year in the seven-furlong Perryville. He sat third through the first half of the race, then swiftly took command on his own with a three-wide move on the turn. Hoist the Gold offered a brief challenge in upper stretch, but Gunite shook him off with ease to win by 3 ¾-lengths.
The final time on the fast track was 1:23.21, good for a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 106.
“[Gunite has shown] beautiful consistency. He has performed at the highest levels and continues to impress. He carries himself like he can do this. He’s got a confidence. He accepts what’s happening and does it extremely well,” said trainer Steve Asmussen.
According to Asmussen, Gunite may race next in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) in two weeks’ time.
Gunite races for his breeder Winchell Thoroughbreds. His record now stands at 6-4-1 in 12 starts, with five stakes wins, and $965,934 in earnings.
