Gun Runner | Horse Racing Free Tips

Friday’s Insights: Tapit Rising Star Returns at Del Mar

1st-DMR, $100K, Opt. Cl. ($40k), 3yo/up, 6f, 2:55 p.m. ET
Summer Wind Equine's TRIPLE TAP (Tapit) marks his return to the races for the first time since his impressive 4 1/4-length TDN Rising Star-earning win at Santa Anita Mar. 13. The chestnut is a half-brother to Triple Crown hero and Horse of the Year American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile). His prolific dam, Litteprincessemma (Yankee Gentleman), was purchased by Jane Lyon's Summer Wind for $2.1 million carrying a full sibling to Pharoah–the subsequently Group 3-placed St Patricks Day–at Fasig-Tipton November in 2014. She is also responsible for GI Starlet S. heroine Chasing Yesterday (Tapit) and GISP American Cleopatra (Pioneerof the Nile). In his latest work, the Bob Baffert trainee covered five furlongs in :59 2/5 (2/23) at Santa Anita Oct. 29. TJCIS PPs

MGISW WEDDING TOAST SON DEBUTS AT CHURCHILL
10th-CD, $120K, Msw, 2yo, 6.5f, 7:23 p.m. ET
Godolphin's WORDS OF WISDOM (Tapit) kicks off for trainer Brad Cox following a string of workmanlike moves, including the latest a five-furlong work in 1:01 4/5 (20/42) at Churchill Oct. 29. The homebred is the second foal out of Wedding Toast (Street Sense), winner of four graded stakes, including the GI Beldame Invitational S. and GI Ogden Phipps S. while banking over $1.4 million under the care of Kiaran McLaughlin. Also getting his start is Willis Horton Racing's Rider's Special (Union Rags), a $425,000 Fasig-Tipton Florida sale buy–the second-highest priced colt by the sire this season. Trained by Steve Asmussen, the April foal is out of unraced Fastbridled (Unbridled's Song), a great-granddaughter of undefeated champion older mare and blue-hen mare Personal Ensign. Lori Gervais and West Point Thoroughbred's Keen Heir (Keen Ice) is unveiled by Dallas Stewart. A $225,000 purchase at last spring's Fasig-Tipton Midlantic sale, the chestnut is the highest-priced offspring by the freshman stallion this season. Gold Square LLC's Cyberknife (Gun Runner), a $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky yearling grad, returns after being disqualified from an apparent debut victory going a sixteenth shorter over this track Sept. 25. The Brad Cox trainee loses the blinkers for this return. TJCIS PPs

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Amidst Monumental Year, Asmussen Heads Into BC Weekend ‘Guns’ Blazing

DEL MAR, CA – The best thing about Steve Asmussen's record-breaking 2021 season? The Hall of Famer may want to wait until the weekend is up to answer that.

In a year that has included passing Dale Baird to become the winningest North American trainer of all time, an emotional GI Arkansas Derby victory for his parents with Super Stock (Dialed In) and five top-level wins at the prestigious Saratoga meeting, including three from the first crop of a former barn superstar, Asmussen heads into the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar with a loaded, six-horse hand.

“Those are some very nice milestones and things that we will obviously enjoy looking back on, but we need to finish out the year strong,” Asmussen said.

“I feel like we have some excellent chances in the Breeders' Cup and we need to show up and have our horses perform to the best of their ability and finish the year off right.”

Excellent chances, indeed.

It comes full circle for Asmussen as his Breeders' Cup weekend begins with L and N Racing and Winchell Thoroughbreds's unbeaten 'TDN Rising Star' Echo Zulu (Gun Runner) in Friday's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.

The $300,000 KEESEP graduate and half-sister to the Asmussen-trained GI Runhappy H. Allen Jerkens S. winner and young Ashford Stud sire Echo Town (Speightstown) will be heavily favored over five rivals for her two-turn debut off the strength of eye-catching wins in the GI Spinaway S. at Saratoga Sept. 5 and the GI Frizette S. at Belmont Oct. 30.

Asmussen, of course, saddled Echo Zulu's leading freshman sire Gun Runner to a win in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic–the 55-year-old's second trophy in the big one–which was also held at the seaside track four years ago.

Standing at Three Chimneys Farm, the 2017 Horse of the Year and champion older dirt male is also responsible for the Asmussen-trained GI Hopeful S. winner Gunite. Gun Runner will also be represented by longshot Pappacap in the male dirt equivalent on 'Future Stars Friday.'

“It went extremely well the last time the Breeders' Cup was at Del Mar and we're trying to recreate some of the same magic,” Asmussen said. “We don't get to take Gun Runner back, but it is kind of fun that the first time we go back we have one from his first crop that's the favorite in the Juvenile Fillies.”

Of Gun Runner's fast start at stud, he continued, “It's dreaming. Meaning, Gun Runner, as special as he was and what an amazing ride he was–good 2-year-old, strong 3-year-old, great 4-year-old–then, how excited we were to have Gun Runner's progeny and for one to start out this fast… Better than we could've even hoped. Knowing how much better he got with time and for Echo Zulu to come out of the box like this–just absolutely special.”

California Dreaming…

Four of Asmussen's seven-career Breeders' Cup wins, including a Classic victory with the aforementioned Gun Runner, have come in Southern California. The three others–Tapizar (2012 GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile), Untapable (2014 GI Breeders' Cup Distaff) and Mitole (2019 GI Breeders' Cup Sprint)-took place at Santa Anita.

The Asmussen barn has also been well-represented with Santa Anita Breeders' Cup placings from: Dust and Diamonds (second 2012 GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint); My Miss Aurelia (second 2012 GI Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic); Unbridled's Note (second 2012 GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint); Tapiture (second 2014 GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile); Gun Runner (second 2016 GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile); Midnight Bisou (second 2019 GI Breeders' Cup Distaff); and Storm Treasure (third 2008 GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint).

Like his aforementioned celebrated quartet, Asmussen's 2021 Breeders' Cup troops arrived early in the Golden State to prepare, in fact, weeks ahead of the 38th World Championships. It's certainly worked well in the past, but exactly how important is it to get acclimated early to the West Coast?

“I think you said it, it's worked well in the past,” Asmussen said. “It's worked well for whatever reason. Just get acclimated and eliminate as many variables as we possibly can and go from there.”

Five More Major 'Players' for BC Saturday…

Asmussen will tighten the girth on five Breeders' Cup runners on Saturday's stacked program, led by J. Kirk and Judy Robison's GI Breeders' Cup Sprint headliner Jackie's Warrior (Maclean's Music).

A valiant fourth as the favorite after sitting right on a scorching pace in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile, he takes on his elders after a spectacular 110 Beyer Speed Figure performance in the GII Gallant Bob at Parx Sept. 25. He previously posted a heart-stopping neck victory over the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile 4-5 morning-line favorite and 'TDN Rising Star' Life Is Good (Into Mischief) in a GI H. Allen Jerkens Memorial S. for the ages at the Spa Aug. 28.

Where does Jackie's Warrior, just a $95,000 KEESEP buy, rank with some of Asmussen's all-time top sprinters–dare we even mention the brilliant Mitole yet?

“I think that they're all individuals and comparing horses is unjust,” Asmussen fired back. “Because what makes them special is how they perform against competition, not talking about it. We have had the fastest horses in the world and are very proud of that.”

The future Spendthrift Farm stallion's resume also includes top-level wins in the 2020 GI Runhappy Hopeful S. and GI Champagne S.

“I think the most unique thing about Jackie's Warrior is the Gallant Bob was only the second time he had run six furlongs,” Asmussen said. “He's just fast.”

Previous 3-year-old winners of the Breeders' Cup Sprint include: Drefong (2016); Runhappy (2015); Trinniberg (2012); Silver Train (2005); Cajun Beat (2003); Squirtle Squirt (2001); Reraise (1998); Sheikh Albadou (GB) (1991); and Very Subtle (1987).

George Hall's and SportBLX Thoroughbreds Corp.'s GI Breeders' Cup Classic contender Max Player (Honor Code) has taken his game to the next level with a change in tactics, sitting right on the pace en route to breakthrough wins in the GII Suburban S. at Belmont July 3 and GI Jockey Club Gold Cup S. at Saratoga Sept. 4. He rallied from far back to third-place finishes in the 2020 GI Belmont S. and GI Runhappy Travers S. for previous trainer Linda Rice as well as a fifth-place finish in the GI Kentucky Derby in his first start for this stable.

“He was giving himself too much to do in quality races,” Asmussen said. “Spotting them seven, eight, 10 lengths-he put himself in a position that it was hard to show his ability. In the mornings, he was showing plenty and enough that with an opportunity, he could do enough with it. Getting him in the race early has allowed that. He stays well, so using some of him early hasn't cost him late and it's given him a chance.”

Stonestreet homebred Clairiere (Curlin), the first foal out of the talented three-time Grade I winner and 2015 GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint rallying fourth as the favorite Cavorting (Bernardini), faces older fillies and mares for the first time in the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff. She headed an exacta for her leading sire and former Asmussen-trained two-time Horse of the Year Curlin in the GI Cotillion S. at Parx Sept. 25. She was also second to the ultra-talented, re-opposing 'TDN Rising Star' Malathaat (Curlin) in the GI Alabama S. Aug. 21.

Asmussen will be double-fisted in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. Listed as the second choice on the morning line at 7-2, GI Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan H. winner and $450,000 KEESEP graduate Silver State (Hard Spun) overcame a slow start and looked well on his way after leading in the stretch, but just couldn't close the door and had to settle for a close second in the Parx Dirt Mile S. last out Sept. 25. The Winchell Thoroughbreds and Willis Horton Racing colorbearer, did, notably earn a career-best 104 Beyer in that effort. Silver State retires to Claiborne Farm for 2022.

Bloom Racing Stable's fan favorite and blaze-faced 6-year-old Snapper Sinclair (City Zip) goes turf to dirt in search of his first career graded win in the Dirt Mile following a rallying second in Santa Anita's GII Eddie D. S. Oct. 1.

“It's the goal,” Asmussen concluded of the year-end Championships. “We're obviously very fortunate to have horses of this level. We would expect them to perform well. It is the target.”

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Breeders’ Cup Buzz: The Rides Of A Lifetime

Behind every winning race is a winning ride, and the Breeders' Cup has produced some of the most impressive piloting efforts the sport has seen.

When considering those winning trips, a share of the credit must, of course, go to the jockey's agents who booked the mounts for their riders. An agent knows a good ride when they see it.

With 37 years of Breeders' Cup races to draw from, we polled six jockey's agents to get their picks for the greatest riding effort in Breeders' Cup history. The answers cast a wide net from personal victories, to betting scores, to rooting for childhood heroes.

Doug Bredar

“For obvious reasons, it would be Gun Runner in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar. I'm still surprised that Arrogate went off as the favorite. The bettors thought that Gun Runner would have issues going a mile and a quarter, but the connections felt otherwise. Arrogate had beaten him a couple of times, and it was not only an incredible thrill watching Florent Geroux win the race, but redemption for the way he did it. The fractions were 22.4, 46.1, 1:10.2 and 1:35. He went wire-to-wire and I thought it was an exceptional ride. Very fond memories of a special race.”

John Herbstreit

“Arazi and Zenyatta are the most impressive horse races I've seen. Even when Zenyatta ran second, she was impressive. Alysheba and Personal Ensign are my favorite wins. My favorite ride was Pat Day on Wild Again in the 1984 Classic.”

Ron Ebanks

“Randy Romero on Personal Ensign in the mud getting up the last jump to nail Gary Stevens on Winning Colors (1988 Distaff). He was my idol as a kid and I couldn't have been more happy and proud of him.”

Jimmy McNerney

“Pat Valenzuela aboard Fraise in the 1992 Turf stands out the most. It was the first Breeders' Cup that I was old enough to 'legally' bet and I put $100 across the board on him. He came from last and P-Val made every right move weaving his way through the pack through the turn. When they straightened, he dove down and snuck through along the fence and nipped Sky Classic right on the money. There's no other path that he could've taken and had the same result.”

Mike Luider

“Gulch in the 1988 Sprint. Angel Cordero Jr. was masterful!”

Brian Beach

“Julie Krone's ride on Halfbridled in the 2003 Juvenile Fillies was one of the best I've seen. It's not always about weaving though traffic and getting up at the wire. It's sometimes about getting your horse to perform its best under adverse circumstances, and that's what happened in this race. They broke from the 14 post and Julie was able to get her filly to relax while going wide and still not expending too much energy until she could get a better position down the backstretch. By the time they turned for home Julie had Halfbridled in a perfect winning position with something left in the tank for the run to the wire.”

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This Side Up: Breeders’ Cup a Track-and-Field Event

The genius of the Breeders' Cup is the way it brings together the two ancillary channels of investment that offer a Thoroughbred racehorse such viability as it may have: from the bloodstock industry, on the one hand; and fans and handicappers, on the other.

So far as the first group are concerned, it might be overstating things to say that the GI Kentucky Derby would not lose a single runner if they only ran for that blanket of roses. But it's certainly true that the values of the bloodstock market are self-fulfilling: a yearling colt can only raise millions on the premise that he might someday generate millions more, as a stallion, in turn only because someone will repeat the same gamble on his own sons.

In subscribing the prize fund at Del Mar next weekend, however, breeders not only tighten that cycle with a direct reward for racetrack excellence, and a heightened incentive for seeking it. They also give a narrative coherence to the career of a racehorse that simply wasn't there before 1984.

Hopefully that can also help to maintain the racetrack as the center of gravity for their own endeavors, in terms of genetic selection. We all know that far too many matings are oriented to the sales ring instead. But by spurring the competitive ardor of professional horsemen, with better purses harnessed to a better storyline, the Breeders' Cup conflates their interests with those of fans.

Sure, gaudier prizes even than the Classic are nowadays offered elsewhere, but nothing can match the organic engagement–both with the public, and with the rest of the racing calendar–of the greatest single innovation of the modern Turf.

True, some of us retain reservations about the dilution inevitable with the expansion of the Breeders' Cup program. We have a short field daring to take on Gamine (Into Mischief), for instance, instead of discovering whether she could emulate Safely Kept against the boys. As has become bleakly predictable, moreover, the Europeans have again failed to muster a single entry on the main track, partly because they are nowadays indulged with so many more turf options. And potentially the most talented animal at the meeting has sought easier pickings in the Dirt Mile.

Not that anyone could quibble with the connections of Life Is Good (Into Mischief), who still lacks seasoning and has not had the chance to explore 10 furlongs at any level, never mind in the company than would await in the Classic. In its short history, after all, the Dirt Mile has been used as a platform for precisely the kind of breakout that remains available to Life Is Good as he matures. The pair that chased home Tamarkuz (Speightstown) in the 2016 running divided the next two Classics between them: runner-up Gun Runner (Candy Ride {Arg}) the following year, and third Accelerate (Lookin At Lucky) coming through as a 5-year-old. This time round, of course, Knicks Go (Paynter) is bidding to become the first to win both races.

And Life Is Good still has to go out and earn these laurels, bearing in mind what happened to Omaha Beach (War Front) when in a similar situation. But while its inauguration has eroded both the Sprint and the Classic, the Dirt Mile has unquestionably matured to fill a valid niche and it's no surprise to see such a warm reception for City Of Light (Quality Road) at stud, following the promising starts made by the likes of Goldencents (Into Mischief) and Liam's Map (Unbridled's Song).

The miler has always had a premium for stud, as eking out sprint speed towards Triple Crown eligibility. By the same token, however, a race like the GI Met Mile surely owes its stallion pedigree to its one-turn, one-gasp configuration. This will be a relative crapshoot and it's a shame that only Churchill, among established and surviving Breeders' Cup venues, can approach the same aerobic/athletic demands. (Yet another reason for grieving the doom of Arlington and Hollywood).

This revives a point I've made before about the modern Kentucky Derby, which appears to favor speed without really testing it, now that the sprinters are being squeezed out by the points system. In terms of the stud careers of winners, the Derby has been going through quite a sticky patch. (Though obviously there are some younger sires now in a position to do something about that). And if Essential Quality (Tapit) happens to win the Classic, leaving his messy Churchill run as the single blemish of his career, then we might have another reason to be nervous of the Derby's current direction.

In contrast, there probably won't be any hiding place for the speed horses in the Classic. And that's just as it should be. Certainly those who have subscribed the funds will, as usual, be perusing the pre-entries over the coming days to see how their funding of the breed's proving ground will play out.

In the Classic itself, for instance, we have a son of Kitten's Joy who has become a revelation on dirt. We have sons of Oxbow and Paynter who, whatever happens, will presumably go to market at a higher fee than their under-rated sires. We have a colt that could secure a different legacy for that most precocious of broodmare sires, Bernardini, who has also bequeathed a longshot in the Juvenile.

Two other lamented sires feature in that race: Giant Game is one of three named colts from the final crop of Giant's Causeway; while the tragically premature loss of Arrogate would feel still more poignant should Jasper Great score a historic success for Japan. Across the card, moreover, the late City Zip has three chances to add to his five individual Breeders' Cup winners.

Among those still with us, let's hear it for the only stallion to have sired the winners of seven races, More Than Ready, who just keeps on rolling: he has three leading contenders for the Juvenile Fillies' Turf alone. And another evergreen veteran, Speightstown, sees his studmate and raises him with four starters in the Sprint!

At the other end of the spectrum, Gun Runner and Connect have managed to get members of their first crop into both the Juvenile and the Juvenile Fillies. That's a hell of an achievement. We can certainly celebrate those rookies that do make the grade, while still deploring the way commercial breeders stampede from one unproven sire to the next. It's only right that some freshmen excel, because they are given every chance to do so. That doesn't mean their success should be downplayed, but nor does it excuse people for breeding so transparently for the ring.

The covering stats that have just been published by the Jockey Club contain all their usual horrors, at both ends of the scale: many stallions that will be in Oklahoma or Turkey in five or six years' time, covering far more than the proposed limit of 140; and others, far more eligible to sire a Grade I horse, struggling with two or three dozen (one of them shockingly down to single figures) because of a perceived want of commercial luster.

Which takes us back to our opening premise: that the Breeders' Cup abbreviates the connection between the bloodstock industry and the one crucible that should really count. This sport, in economic terms, is a triangle of symbiotic interests. So let's not just enjoy where the surf meets the Turf, but where the breeders meet the fans-and the track meets the field.

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