Gunite's Full Brother Delivers on Debut for Winchell

This column highlights the performances of 2- and 3-year-old 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

After nearly two months of 2-year-old racing, Spice Runner, a full brother to multiple grade 1 winner Gunite , finally takes up the mantle as the first featured 2-year-old Maiden Watch graduate of the year.

A third-generation homebred for Winchell Thoroughbreds, Spice Runner grabbed the lead turning for home and delivered on debut in a five-furlong maiden special weight May 23 at Churchill Downs. The colt's esteemed older brother, also trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, took three tries to get the 'W' in what was the beginning of his $2.4 million-earning career. Although he is best known for his victory over champion sprinter Elite Power  during an epic renewal of the 2023 Forego Stakes (G1), Gunite was also a talented juvenile for Winchell, capturing the historic Hopeful Stakes (G1) in his fifth start at 2.

Spice Runner's dam, the Cowboy Cal mare Simple Surprise, was also a precocious 2-year-old. Racing under the Winchell silks, Simple Surprise was victorious first time out at Churchill Downs before taking the Bolton Landing Stakes on the turf at Saratoga. Gunite and Spice Runner are currently her only two winners from three foals to race. Bred back to Winchell's champion sire Gun Runner , Simple Surprise produced a full brother to her winning colts in February.

Ahead of Spice Runner's auspicious debut performance, the colt had turned in seven works between Keeneland and Churchill Downs, including a :47 4/5 half-mile out the gate in Lexington April 29. A clear favorite against a field of four others, Spice Runner put on quite a show with his pre-race antics, leaping and rearing in play alongside the pony in the post parade. Once the race was underway, however, it was down to business for the spritely bay.

Racing just behind the pacesetters early, Spice Runner assumed command with a three-wide bid into the far turn. Showing his greenness at the eighth pole when swapping to his left lead down the lane, he corrected himself under encouragement from jockey Jose Ortiz and continued on strongly to the wire.

Spice Runner stopped the timer in :58.36 for five furlongs on a fast main track.