America’s Gun Runner not anchored by fifth horseshoe

Tom Walter - Monday August 7

How does a horse win a race with five horseshoes?

Advertisement
Gun Runner wins at Saratoga with a horseshoe entangled in his tail.

That question was answered in Saturday's Grade I Whitney Stakes (1-1/8m) at Saratoga when the Steve Asmussen-trained Gun Runner (3-5 fav) finished first past the post with a rival's shoe caught in his tail.

The shoe belonged to Cautious Giant which finished last while Gun Runner cruised to his second Grade I win since finishing runner-up to Arrogate in the Group I Dubai World Cup (2000m) in March.

"They'll probably blame me and say I told him to throw it at him," Cautious Giant's co-owner Ron Paolucci told Bloodhorse.

"I'm going to call Asmussen and tell him I want my shoe back."

Finishing 5-1/4 lengths behind Gun Runner in second was Keen Ice, a horse that earned fame for upsetting American Pharoah in the Grade I Travers' Stakes (1-1/4m) at the same track almost two years ago.

Gun Runner's victory earned him a guaranteed spot in the Breeders' Cup Classic (1-1/4m) on November 5 at Del Mar where a rematch with Arrogate is a distinct possibility.

As for Arrogate, the Bob Baffert-trained galloper will be out to reaffirm his status as the world's highest rated racehorse in the Grade I Pacific Classic (1-1/4m) on August 19 after an inexplicably poor performance in the Grade II San Diego Handicap (1-1/16m) last month.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Winning Return for Blueblood I Am Invincible Filly
Last seen finishing an unlucky fourth in the $1million Magic Millions National 2YO Classic in May, speedy I Am Invincible filly Sisstainable returned from a spell at Moonee Valley on Friday night to score a tenacious win.
Sires With Winners - Thursday October 23
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Bold Showing Tipped for Yes Yes Yes 2YO
Speed Demon will be given every opportunity to live up to his name when he makes his debut at Ellerslie.
Coolmore Favs get the Flemington Straight Experience in Jump Outs
Beiwacht, Beadman and Skyhook, three of the top four in the market for next month’s Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes had a jump out down the Flemington straight on Friday with Beadman quite the eye-catcher.
Second Wootton Bassett Son Added to Coolmore Stallion Roster for 2026
Set to join Camille Pissarro as the second G1 winning son of Wootton Bassett on the stallion roster for Ireland in 2026 is Henri Matisse, who this time last year was about to claim his first G1 victory at the Breeders Cup meeting at Del Mar.
2025 G1 Spring Champion – Pedigree Preview
A lot of attention is paid to the sprinting three year-old division and much less so to the stayers, but with $2million in prizemoney the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday has attracted a full field of 14 and all of them are on trial at the trip.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 22
Here is the full list of 37 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Premier Racing Stables for Sale in New Zealand
A unique opportunity to get a foothold in the heart of thoroughbred country in New Zealand has arisen offering both functionality and prestige within an ideal base to pursue racing success in the leading equine region in the country.
Breeding To Win – 2025 G1 MVRC Cox Plate
An emotional week in Australasian racing approaches its crescendo as we count down to the final Cox Plate before a radical new era in its history begins and we mourn the passing of one of its greatest champions.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
The Rosehill trials on Friday morning featured a couple of juvenile heats and both winners came out of the Widden Stud draft at Magic Millions with one topping the sale at $2.8million and the other selling for a modest $150,000.