Gun Runner, who leads the 2023 Third-Crop Sire list by a wide margin, got his sixth graded winner and 10th stakes winner overall this year on Aug. 22 when Il Miracolo won the $300,000 Smarty Jones S. (G3) by three lengths.
The 3-year-old colt, who ran in this year’s Belmont S. (G1), turned in his best performance to date in Tuesday’s 1 1/16-mile race despite a wide trip around both turns. After breaking well in from the outside post in the field of eight, he was within a length of the lead around the turn and on the backstretch. The chestnut made a move for the lead on the final bend and came wide into the homestretch. He continued to drift out in the lane, but easily held off Cagliostro to finish the distance in 1:48.59 on a fast track.
With Tuesday’s payday, Il Miracolo has earned $311,625 for owner Eduardo Soto, who purchased the colt in June at the OBS Horses of Racing Age sale.
Il Miracolo was bred by Willow Oaks Stable LLC in Kentucky.
