Unload out-dueled Without a Trace to earn his first stakes victory in the $100,000 Governor’s Cup on Aug. 16 at Remington Park (WATCH RACE).
The 4-year-old son of Gun Runner was second in last month’s Cornhusker H. (G3) before Friday’s breakthrough win. Unload, owned by his breeder Winchell Thoroughbreds, is one of Gun Runner’s 11 stakes winners in 2024.
Unload had the lead right from the start of the 1 1/8-mile race, but was closely pursued by Without a Trace the entire trip. Unload kept his foe at bay at every point of call and held off the final bid to win by a head in 1:51.90 on a fast track.
“I thought that horse on my outside might have me,” winning rider Stewart Elliott said. “But my horse got serious and dug in.”
Unload’s record is now 3-1-2 in eight starts with earnings of $227,710. Unload’s dam Untapped is a full sister to champion Untapable, who was also campaigned by Winchell.
