Seven-Figure Gun Runner Colt an Obvious ‘Rising Star’

Taiba (Gun Runner–Needmore Flatter, by Flatter) emerged as the latest standout for trainer Bob Baffert and Zedan Racing Stables as he ran to a hefty price tag as well as plenty of wagering dollars to be named a 'TDN Rising Star'. A $140,000 FTKOCT yearling turned last year's Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream second topper at $1.7 million thanks to a powerful :10 1/5 work, the overwhelming 1-2 favorite broke well, but had to settle for a pressing spot in between rivals early. Jockey John Velazquez tapped on the gas entering the bend and Taiba took a narrow lead at that point with stablemate Mauritius (Twirling Candy) also up joining the fray three deep. The Baffert runners looked to have the race all to themselves after a :45.69 half, but it quickly became a one-horse affair as Taiba leveled off and exploded with efficient strides to run up the score to 7 1/2 lengths. He stopped the clock in 1:09.97. Mauritius held second.

Owner Amr Zedan's relatively young racing operation has already campaigned the likes of fellow seven-figure juvenile buy turned 'Rising Star' and GISW Princess Noor (Not This Time), as well as ill-fated and DQ'd GI Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit (Protonico).

Taiba becomes the fourth 'TDN Rising Star' for last year's standout freshman sire (by Candy Ride {Arg})–Gun Runner's two other 'Rising Stars' who are not last year's champion juvenile filly Echo Zulu are also out of mares by A.P. Indy-line stallions.

MSW dam Needmore Flattery (Flatter) racked up more than $730,000 having never earned better than a 75 Beyer Speed Figure competing mostly in Ohio-bred company. Her first foal is a still-unraced 4-year-old son of Uncle Mo, and she sold to Leopoldo Fernández Pujals's Yeguada Centurion for $195,000 at KEENOV '19 before being exported to France and foaling a filly by Uncle Mo.

2nd-Santa Anita, $68,000, Msw, 3-5, 3yo, 6f, 1:09.97, ft, 7 1/2 lengths.
TAIBA, c, 3, Gun Runner
               1st Dam: Needmore Flattery (MSW, $732,103), by Flatter
                2nd Dam: Kiosk, by Left Banker
                3rd Dam: Phone Switch, by Phone Trick
Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $40,200. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG. Free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-Zedan Racing Stables, Inc.; B-Bruce C Ryan (KY); T-Bob Baffert. *$140,000 Ylg '20 FTKOCT; $1,700,000 2yo '21 FTFMAR.

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