Wicked Halo cruised to a four-length victory in Saturday’s $350,000 Raven Run S. (G2) at Keeneland, the fourth straight black type win for the 3-year-old Gun Runner filly.
Her win came about 90 minutes after Gunite took the Perryville S. over the same track to become the first of two stakes winners on the card for their sire.
Somewhat ironically, Wicked Halo ran a very similar race to Gunite, with both contesting seven-furlong races. The gray filly was away well and within a length of the lead in third on the backstretch and into the turn. She ranged up three-wide on the bend to take over coming into the stretch, then drew off in the lane to get the distance in 1:24.30.
“It’s extremely special,” said trainer Asmussen, who conditions both Wicked Halo and Gunite. “Their level of ability is obvious, but the fact that they thrive with racing and have continued to get better is so rare. I think they are very similar in the fact that they’ve just accepted their job and continuously gotten faster. Obviously, they’re very sound horses–great homebreds for Winchell. I’m very fortunate to have them.”
Wicked Halo, owned and bred by Winchell Thoroughbreds, is now 6-0-3 in 10 starts, five of the wins coming in stakes, while earning $780,200.
