Fair Grounds: Admiral Dennis Moving Well Ahead of Gun Runner

By Kevin Kilroy —-

Admiral Dennis Moving Well Ahead of Gun Runner

New Orleans, La (Dec. 19, 2024) – Tabbed as the 9-5 morning line favorite in Saturday’s $100,000 Gun Runner at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, Albaugh Family Stables’ Admiral Dennis made his first local appearance on Saturday, Nov. 30. Breezing 4 furlongs in :49.80, the Constitution colt made a big move at the 1/16th pole, leaving his workmate several lengths back. One week later he fired a 5-furlong bullet. In his final preparation on Dec. 14, Admiral Dennis covered 5 furlongs in 1:02.20 inside of stablemate Hot Property, maintaining the advantage throughout.

“He’s gotten better as the year’s gone on,” Cox said. “After his first race, his first couple of works were by himself and he didn’t really move forward. We put him back in company and he got better.”

After finding trouble sprinting on debut, Admiral Dennis broke his maiden at second asking going one mile at Churchill Downs in mid-November.

“I like him,” Cox said. “He’s a big, good-looking horse. It’s his first time going two turns; he should handle it.”

Drawing post 5, Admiral Dennis will see Luis Saez return to the irons.

Baccari Racing Stable, Dream Walkin Farms, MJM Racing and Rocket Ship Racing’s Render Judgment enters the Gun Runner looking to add to the one point he earned running fifth last out in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) for trainer Ken McPeek.

“I think he had too much left to do at the end (in the Kentucky Jockey Club),” McPeek said. “When he won, he was up closer (to the front), and hopefully he’ll be in a spot similar to that (in the Gun Runner). Seems like there’s some pace in there for him to run at. He’s a big good looking horse and will appreciate the long stretch.”

The Blame colt broke his maiden in late October going 1 1/16 miles at Churchill Downs. Brian Hernandez Jr. will break Render Judgment from post 2.

Drawing the rail in the Gun Runner, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners’ Built will try two turns for the first time. Trained by Wayne Catalano, the Hard Spun colt’s last run was his maiden-breaking score going 7 furlongs at Keeneland in October.

“We circled this race after (his win at Keeneland),” Catalano said. “We wanted to make sure he is fresh coming into this. With a rail draw, we’ll see how it plays out. He doesn’t need to go to the lead–he’s shown he’s comfortable behind other horses.”

Corey Lanerie will be in town to ride.

Slated as Race 7 of 12, the 4th running of the $100,000 Gun Runner will award 10-5-3-2-1 points as the final Kentucky Derby prep race of the calendar year. Each offering $100,000 purses, Saturday’s supporting stakes include the Untapable, Tenacious, Sugar Bowl, Letellier, Blushing K.D., Richard R. Scherer Memorial, and Buddy Diliberto Memorial Stakes. First post is noon CT.

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About Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots

Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, one of the nation’s oldest racetracks, has been in operation since 1872. Located in New Orleans, La, Fair Grounds, which is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN), also operates a slot-machine gaming facility and 15 off-track betting parlors throughout Southeast Louisiana. The 153rd Thoroughbred Racing Season–highlighted by the 112th running of the Louisiana Derby–will run from Nov. 22, 2024 through March 23, 2025. More information is available online at www.fgno.com.