Meet the Contenders: 2023 Gun Runner Stakes
Nash at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
December 21st, 2023
Meet the horses running in the 2023 Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents opportunity to perform well. Be sure to follow these contenders by adding them to your stable alerts.
Fair Grounds (Photo by Hodges Photography)
#1 Next Level **
Pro: Exits game maiden win at Fair Grounds; Grade 1-placed
Con: Faces class check following pair of slow route efforts
#1 Next Level drops in class and gets blinkers to win R5 at Fair Grounds under David Cohen for trainer Keith Desormeaux! 💪
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) November 23, 2023
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/5ZtnqftVWQ
Catching Freedom at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
#2 Catching Freedom ***
Pro: Sharp debut winner may show more after troubled trip
Con: Late runner must work out trip, trouble cost him
#6 Catching Freedom makes his debut a winning one in R4 under the Twin Spires for trainer @bradcoxracing with @flothejock aboard! 🎓
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) October 1, 2023
The 2-year-old colt is by @WinStarFarm stallion Constitution.
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/BdxEZHaI0X
Risk It (Photo by Adam Coglianese)
#3 Risk It **
Pro: Grade 3 runner-up caught in traffic last time, adds Rosario
Con: Best effort at 6f, two turns a question despite pedigree
#1 Risk It was sharp in the opener at Saratoga for trainer Steve Asmussen with @Tyler_Gaff aboard! 💪
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) August 19, 2023
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/gR7bXqmwvL
Gun Runner holds off Foreveamo (Photo by Fair Grounds)
#4 Neat *
Pro: Constitution colt switches to dirt off pair of sharp turf wins
Con: Modest numbers on turf, surface switch a legit question
Footprint at Keenland (Photo by Coady Photography)
#5 Footprint *
Pro: Convincing debut winner exits runner-up vs alw rivals
Con: Must show more to contend vs stakes foes
Nash at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
#6 Nash *****
Pro: Rolled to fast 10-length maiden win; imposing front-end presence
Con: Other speed entered, must work out trip on class hike
Nash’s first race going 1 1/16 miles was a stunner. @TrustYourLuck includes him in his 5 horses to watch @fairgroundsnola on the Road to @KentuckyDerby 150.
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) December 16, 2023
Click the link below to add Kevin's Expert Stable to your Stable Alerts ⤵️https://t.co/ioYR9VnuXJ pic.twitter.com/udZFM6Sq4x
Snead at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
#7 Snead **
Pro: Improving closer switched to dirt with pair of convincing wins
Con: Must run faster to offer serious challenge in stakes debut
#2 Snead wins easy in R7 at Fair Grounds for trainer @brenpwalsh with @jareth16 in the saddle! 🤩
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) November 23, 2023
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/7tvedWvmRR
Track Phantom breaking his maiden at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
#8 Track Phantom ***
Pro: Stretched to two turns with sharp frontrunning maiden win
Con: Steps up, dominated on soft fractions last time
#7 Track Phantom wins easy in R8 at Churchill Downs, giving another win to both Steve Asmussen and @jrosariojockey! 💪
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) November 25, 2023
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/TZN13sgXkF
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