Bullard was spectacular in his stakes debut in Sunday’s Bob Hope S. (G3) at Del Mar, coming from last to win going away by 4 ¾-lengths in a thoroughly dominating performance.
The 2-year-old son of Gun Runner, bred by Three Chimneys Farm, sold for $675,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September sale.
Bullard began his career on Sept. 1 at Del Mar, where he broke his maiden at first asking and was named a “TDN Rising Star”. In Sunday’s seven-furlong Bob Hope, the dark bay colt turned in another star-worthy performance.
When a very brisk speed duel developed right from the break, Bullard sat last of five as Kalea Bay and McKinzie Street blazed through fractions of :21.63 and :43.93. Bullard began to close the gap midway on the turn and had a full head of steam coming into the stretch. He went by the pacesetters effortlessly and eased up late to stop the timer in 1:22.55 on the fast main track.
“I just think he is a horse that deserves a bit more distance. Look he hacked, he moved, he gallops like a good horse, like a great horse,” said winning rider Umberto Rispoli. “He is a horse who has shown us who he is only at his second start. He needs to figure out what is really going on with horse racing.”
Trained by Mike McCarthy for St. Elias Stable, Talla Racing LLC, Three Chimneys Farm, and West Point Thoroughbreds, Bullard has earned $105,000 in his two victories.
Pedigree Notes from the TDN
Bullard makes it 25 graded winners in just four crops to race for exceptional Three Chimneys Farm sire Gun Runner, who will stand for an advertised $250,000 in 2025. Gun Runner, the 2017 Horse of the Year, is currently second on North America’s 2024 leading sires list. Among his 15 other ‘Rising Stars’ and 33 other black-type winners are GI Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Sierra Leone and late champion Echo Zulu. The chestnut just added another ‘Rising Star’ Saturday at Churchill Downs with Guns Loaded.
