Tipsheet: 2022 Gun Runner Stakes

A total of seven juveniles will go 1 1/16 miles on the Fair Grounds main surface in Monday’s $100,000 Gun Runner S. 

Gun Runner Stakes Picks

• #3 Determinedly
• #2 Jace’s Road
• #6 Raise Cain

Gun Runner Stakes Wagers

• $30 win #3 Determinedly
• $5 exacta key box 3 with 2,6
• 50-cent trifecta 3 with 1,2,6,7 with all

Gun Runner Stakes Contenders

#1 HAYES STRIKE rallied to be third in the Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) in his most recent try for conditioner Kenny McPeek. Connect colt is a closing type with five route races under his belt, and the contender will surely be as fit as any contender in the field. Brian Hernandez Jr. will guide the April foal.

#2 JACE’S ROAD was a good third in the Iroquois S. (G3) beneath the Twin Spires before failing to fire in the Street Sense S. (G3) in his latest showing. Trained by Brad Cox, the $510,000 son of Quality Road has trained well following that subpar performance and will be in the mix late with something resembling his outing two back. Florent Geroux has the call.

#3 DETERMINEDLY broke his maiden like a good thing most recently and I will tab the Mark Casse trainee for success while making his stakes debut. By Cairo Prince, the improving colt has elevated his game since transferring to the main strip and will have no trouble handling the stretch out in distance against this field. The gray will track the pace from midpack prior to wearing down his foes inside the final panel with Luis Saez in the silks.

#4 OLD ALLIANCE cruised home a facile winner at first asking at Laurel prior to finishing 18 1/4 lengths back when third in a subsequent allowance heat for trainer Mike Stidham. Hard Spun juvenile could evolve into a nice one, but he seems to be a bit behind the major players at this stage of his development. Colby Hernandez will be in the controls.

#5 MAZING MARK graduated in the stakes ranks at Delta Downs most recently for conditioner Lonnie Briley. The $80,000 son of Mo Town didn’t topple a great field last time out, and I feel that he will need to take a huge leap forward to be a contender inside the final furlong while facing this crew.

#6 RAISE CAIN impressed with a fine maiden win two back which preceded a third-place result in the Bowman Mill S. at Keeneland. The Ben Colebrook pupil is bred to run two turns and gives the impression of a prospect that will improve as the distances increase going forward. Violence colt presents good value with Luan Machado inheriting the mount.

#7 ANDTHEWINNERIS bagged the grassy Bourbon S. (G2) two races back, prior to finishing a decent seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) for conditioner Wayne Catalano. The bay son of Oscar Performance ran into a sublime winner in the Bashford Manor S. in his lone dirt attempt and he deserves another chance on the main oval. Corey Lanerie picks up what could be a live mount.