Tabbed as the 9-5 morning-line favorite in the $100,000 Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Dec. 21, Albaugh Family Stables' Admiral Dennis made his first local appearance Nov. 30 breezing four furlongs in :49 4/5.
The Constitution colt made a big move at the sixteenth pole, leaving his workmate several lengths back. One week later he fired a five-furlong bullet in 1:00 3/5. In his final preparation Dec. 14, Admiral Dennis covered five furlongs in 1:02 1/5 inside of stablemate Hot Property, maintaining the advantage throughout.
"He's gotten better as the year's gone on," trainer Brad Cox said. "After his first race, his first couple of works were by himself and he didn't really move forward. We put him back in company and he got better."
After finding trouble sprinting on debut, Admiral Dennis broke his maiden at second asking going one mile at Churchill Downs in mid-November.
"I like him," Cox said. "He's a big, good-looking horse. It's his first time going two turns; he should handle it."
Drawing post 5, Admiral Dennis will see Luis Saez return to the irons.
Baccari Racing Stable, Dream Walkin Farms, MJM Racing and Rocket Ship Racing's Render Judgment enters the Gun Runner looking to add to the one point he earned running fifth last out in the Nov. 30 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) for trainer Ken McPeek.
"I think he had too much left to do at the end (in the Kentucky Jockey Club)," McPeek said. "When he won, he was up closer (to the front), and hopefully he'll be in a spot similar to that (in the Gun Runner). Seems like there's some pace in there for him to run at. He's a big, good-looking horse and will appreciate the long stretch."
The Blame colt broke his maiden in late October going 1 1/16 miles at Churchill Downs. Brian Hernandez Jr. will ride Render Judgment from post 2.
Drawing the rail in the Gun Runner, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' Built will try two turns for the first time. Trained by Wayne Catalano, the Hard Spun colt's last run was his maiden-breaking score going seven furlongs at Keeneland in October.
"We circled this race after (his win at Keeneland)," Catalano said. "We wanted to make sure he is fresh coming into this. With a rail draw, we'll see how it plays out. He doesn't need to go to the lead—he's shown he's comfortable behind other horses."
Corey Lanerie will be in town to ride.
Slated as race 7 of 12, the fourth running of the Gun Runner will award points on a 10-5-3-2-1 scale to the top five finishers as the final Kentucky Derby (G1) prep race of the calendar year.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
