Gun Runner wrapped up a near-perfect 2017 with a front-running victory in the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) Saturday at Del Mar.
The Winchell Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farm 4-year-old colt set very quick fractions of :22.50 seconds for the quarter-mile and :46.31 for the half, yet still had plenty of stamina in the stretch to pull away from Collected in the final sixteenth, winning by 2 1/4-lengths in 2:01.29 for the 10 furlongs.
“We let Gun Runner be who he is,” said winning trainer Steve Asmussen. “I think the amount of success we’ve had with him ever since we quit worrying about who he was in with or where they were going to be—he’s let them adjust around him. The year that this horse has put together is a little hard to top.
“I think he’s better today than he’s ever been, and that was the plan all year.”
“This horse has been in such a great rhythm that he gives you confidence,” added Ron Winchell. “After the last race, the Woodward, where he won by 10-plus lengths, I went back to the barn right after, and the horse had a ton of energy like he didn’t run—like he hadn’t ran. So I had a lot of confidence in the horse and Steve coming into this race. So it’s a special moment for all of us.”
In addition to the Classic, Gun Runner won the Woodward, Whitney and Stephen Foster, all Grade 1’s, and the Razorback H. (G3), as well as running second in the Dubai World Cup (G1). He has earned $6,959,700 and is a top candidate for Horse of the Year honors.
