Gun Runner’s millionaire colt Red Route One came from the back of the field to win Saturday’s $500,000 New Orleans Classic S. (G2) by two lengths, the 4-year-old’s second graded stakes win and third added-money victory overall.
A Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC homebred, won last year’s West Virginia Derby (G3) and ran in both the Preakness (G1) and Belmont S. (G1). He began his 2024 campaign with a second in the Louisiana S. (G3) before finishing fourth in the slop in last month’s Mineshaft S. (G3).
Breaking from the rail on Saturday, Red Route One fell well off the pace set by Touchuponastar, who led the field through a half-mile in :46.87 and six furlongs in 1:11.17. Red Route One rallied up the inside on the final turn and into the stretch, then switched outside horses with a furlong to go. He reeled in the pacesetter shortly after and went on to finish the 1 1/8-miles in 1:49.14, good for a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 101.
“He’s another incredible homebred of Winchell Thoroughbreds,” trainer Steve Asmussen said. “He’s campaigned a lot, traveled a lot. When given the opportunity he will show up. Joel (jockey Rosario) gave him the right trip for the horse. He got a nice set up today (and) he was good enough to take advantage of it.”
Red Route One has now earned $1,507,425 and is 4-4-2 in 18 lifetime starts. He is one of Gun Runner’s nine millionaires and 28 stakes winners.
Pedigree Notes from the TDN
Red Route One is out of Red House, an unraced daughter of Grade II winner Fun House, herself responsible for 2014 Eclipse champion 3-year-old filly and five-time Grade I winner Untapable, whose two most recent foals are Gun Runner colts of 2021 and 2023.
