While most Kentucky Derby (G1) fans had already left the track or turned off their television, there was still more racing to be held at Churchill Downs May 4. Nearly two hours after the Derby, in the 14th and final race of the day, an expensive Steve Asmussen trainee graduated in front of an emptying-out grandstand.
In the Derby day finale, a one-turn mile maiden special weight, the immaturity was still showing for the 3-year-old Curlin colt Gun Party as he ran on his left lead the entirety of the stretch in his third career start. However, he easily surged past the leaders inside the final sixteenth of a mile en route to a 1 1/2-length victory.
There are high expectations for the colt, who is out of the grade 1-winning Malibu Moon mare Carina Mia. A three-time graded stakes winner who placed in an additional six grade 1s, Carina Mia's signature victory came in the 2016 Acorn Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park, also a one-turn mile.
Known for being a sprinter, the filly could extend her speed to two turns. As a 2-year-old in 2015, Carina Mia won the 1 1/16-mile Golden Rod Stakes (G2). The following year, she finished second to Hall of Famer Songbird in both the 1 1/8-mile Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) and Cotillion Stakes (G1).
Gun Party is the first of Carina Mia's three foals, all bred by Three Chimneys Farm and Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings, to race.
Three Chimneys thought highly enough of Carina Mia's bloodline to purchase her Quality Road filly, Princesse Lele, for $750,000 at the 2022 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale. It bought Gun Party, in partnership with Winchell Thoroughbreds, for $1.7 million at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
Gun Party kept good company through his first two starts at Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots. On Jan. 27, he was defeated by 4 1/4 lengths by eventual Blue Grass Stakes (G1) runner-up Just a Touch while finishing 5 1/4 lengths ahead of third.
On March 16, Gun Party finished a half-length behind Cornishman, who also returned Derby day for his first start against winners and finished second to the ultra-impressive Mindframe.
With a change of scenery and more experience under his belt, Gun Party is a maiden winner and appears to have the pedigree and expectations to start taking shots at higher levels of competition. It is yet to be seen if he ultimately will flourish at one-turn races or if he will be able to stretch out. Regardless, despite winning what was likely the least watched race of the Derby card, Gun Party appears a colt worth keeping an eye on.
