Gun Runner’s juveniles were in fantastic form during the Nov. 26 card at Churchill Downs, known as the “Stars of Tomorrow”, for featuring exclusively 2-year-old races.
The Three Chimneys stallion had three maiden special weight winners: Gun Pilot and Vahva, who both won by three lengths, and Point Proven, who was a five-length winner.
Vahva, owned by Bella Donna Racing et al., won the fourth race, a seven-furlong affair for fillies. She made the winning move at the top of the stretch, bounding away from the field to win with authority (WATCH RACE). Bred by Woodford Thoroughbreds, LLC, Vahva sold for $280,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling sale.
One race later Point Proven was much the best in a 1 1/8-mile contest. Much like Vahva, the Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable runner ran away from the field at the top of the stretch and was all alone in the final furlong (WATCH RACE). Point Proven sold to his owners for $675,000 at the same Keeneland sale. The bay colt was bred by Three Chimneys. Out of Secret Jewel, Point Proven is a half-brother to Beaumont S. (G3) winner Twenty Carat. Secret Jewel is a daughter of blue-hen Silk n’ Sapphire, who is the dam of Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) winner Shared Account, who in turn produced Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) winner Sharing.
Saturday’s 12th race was won by the debuting Three Chimneys homebred colt Gun Pilot, who battled for the lead early in the seven-furlong contest before taking the lead for good with three furlongs to go and finishing full of run in the lane (WATCH RACE). Gun Pilot is the first foal to race out of Bush Pilot, who is a half-sister to multiple graded winner Global View.
In addition to his terrific Saturday at Churchill Downs, Gun Runner’s Thanksgiving week included a pair of stakes winners in Sixtythreecaliber and Bella Runner, and graded stakes placings by both Top Runner and Runninsonofagun.
