Gun Runner Colt Fires Off Maiden Win at Churchill

This column highlights the performances of maidens who have made no more than five starts and who either sold for more than $500,000 at public auction, have siblings that are graded/group winners, or have dams that are graded/group winners. BloodHorse research shows maiden winners, in particular, who meet these criteria are more likely to go on to be graded stakes winners. Churchill Downs Guns Loaded brought the firepower in a six-furlong maiden special weight Nov. 16 at Churchill Downs, blasting to a 2 3/4-length, gate-to-wire score for trainer Jose D'Angelo. The race was the second outing for the strapping son of Gun Runner, who had to settle for runner-up honors in his debut after stumbling at the start Aug. 31 at Saratoga Race Course. Refueled with fresh ammunition for his second trip to the starting gate, Guns Loaded rocketed from the 10 post and commanded a clear lead into the first quarter-mile. Synonymous with a targeted missile darting around the Churchill oval, the colt clicked off a :44.73 half-mile before barreling down the stretch. Striking the wire under steady encouragement from Luis Saez, Guns Loaded completed the six panels in 1:09.90. The frontrunning performance netted the colt a 100 Equibase Speed Figure. Guns Loaded was bred in Kentucky by esteemed horseman John Oxley, who raced his multiple graded stakes-placed dam, Sky My Sky. A $450,000 2-year-old purchase, the daughter of Bernardini did her best running over the turf and synthetic surfaces. Guns Loaded is her first foal to race from four offspring of racing age. Astute bloodstock agents Randy Hartley and Dean DeRenzo signed the ticket on Guns Loaded for Morplay Racing for $800,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Morplay, founded by Latin music mogul Rich Mendez and his son Josh, partnered with Joey Platts and Lady Sheila Stable on Guns Loaded ahead of his debut. Three Chimneys stallion Gun Runner, the sire of this year's Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) hero Sierra Leone, currently sits second to the inimitable Into Mischief in the leading sire standings with only four crops to race.