Gun Runner got his second stakes winner in as many days on Sunday when Gunite captured the $160,000 Maxfield S. at Churchill Downs. The victory came one day after Wicked Halo won the $200,000 Tepin S. over the same track.
Gun Runner now has nine stakes winner this year and leads the Second-Crop sire list with $6,188,085 in progeny earnings.
Gunite found the rail soon after the break of the seven-furlong Maxfield, taking up a place in third behind Overtaxed. After being boxed in around the turn, Gunite made his move for the lead when Overtaxed drifted off the rail at the top of stretch. Gunite repelled strong challenges by both My Prankster and Hoist the Gold to win by a half-length in 1:23.08 on a fast main track.
“We’re really happy to get him back in the winner’s circle,” winning trainer Steve Asmussen said. “He didn’t break as sharp today as we expected. Tyler [Gaffalione] got him in a good rhythm up the backside and we’re fortunate he was able to win today.”
Gunite, like Wicked Halo, is a Winchell Thoroughbreds homebred. Winner of the Hopeful S. (G1) last year, Gunite has earned $438,099. He is the first foal out of the stakes winner Simple Surprise.
