Favorite Bango, bidding to tie the all-time win mark at Churchill Downs, took charge entering the stretch and appeared en route to victory until Gunite wore him down with a sustained rally in the final furlong and drove clear to capture the $225,000 Aristides on Saturday.
A 10-time winner Bango at the Louisville track for trainer Greg Foley, Bango held on for second, 1 3/4 lengths behind the winner, who covered six furlongs in 1:08.46 on a fast track. Tejano Twist was third after rallying from last in the compact field of five.
Gunite was ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, who was scoring his second stakes win of the day following his victory aboard Mission of Joy in the $200,000 Regret (G3) one race earlier on the card.
A 4-year Gun Runner colt, Gunite began 2023 with a victory in the King Cotton Stakes at Oaklawn prior to his runner-up effort in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G3) in Saudi Arabia and his narrow third-place effort in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) March 25 at Meydan Racecourse in his start prior to Saturday's victory. Overall, he improved his career line to 8-5-2 from 17 starts and increased his lifetime earnings to $1,749,509.
Gunite ($3.80) is trained by Steve Asmussen for owner-breeder Winchell Thoroughbreds. His dam is the Cowboy Cal mare Simple Surprise.
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