Double-Barreled for Gun Runner, McPeek Discusses Road to Derby Kickoff Day Stakes Entries; Cross-entered Miss Call to run in Untapable

By Kevin Kilroy —-

Double-Barreled for Gun Runner, McPeek Discusses Road to Derby Kickoff Day Stakes Entries

Cross-entered Miss Call to run in Untapable

NEW ORLEANS (Dec. 17, 2025) — With four stakes entries on Road to the Derby Kickoff Day at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, trainer Kenny McPeek brings a double-barreled attack of 2-year-old colts into the $100,000 Gun Runner Stakes, led by 7-2 morning-line favorite Liberty National.

“I think Liberty National is sitting on a big race,” McPeek said. “It will be his third start. I think the timing’s ideal. We’re just kind of firing away with him. He’s rocket ship fast.”

A field of eight juveniles entered the 1 1/16-mile Gun Runner, the first local stop on the 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby, which awards 10-5-3-2-1 points to the top five finishers.

Brookdale Racing Inc. and Fern Circle’s Liberty National debuted in mid-October at Keeneland, finishing sixth, 11 lengths back, in a seven-furlong race. However, the son of Maxfield showed promise by galloping out strongly with a high cruising speed. Stretching out to two turns in his second start, a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight on Stars of Tomorrow II Day at Churchill Downs, the $525,000 purchase overcame early trouble and soft fractions to rally from off the pace and draw clear by 4 1/4 lengths.

In his lone local work, Liberty National was clocked at five furlongs in 1:01.60, working in company with stablemate and Gun Runner rival Very Connected, who went 1:01.80.

A full brother to Hidden Connection, Dream Big Racing’s Very Connected has earned 5 Road to the Kentucky Derby points with a fourth-place finish in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) and a third-place effort in the Street Sense (G3).

“Very Connected is a nice horse in his own right,” McPeek said. “He’ll benefit from the longer stretch at Fair Grounds.”

Scheduled as Race 11 on a 12-race card, the Gun Runner concludes four consecutive stakes races. Immediately preceding it, the $100,000 Untapable attracted eight juvenile fillies for the 1 mile 70 yards Kentucky Oaks prep. Tabbed at 3-1 in the morning line, McPeek trainee Miss Call will run in the Untapable, though cross-entered in the Toby Keith Stakes at Remington Park.

Owned by M5 Racing Stable, Steve Dervenis and Magdalena Racing, the Silver State filly was stakes-placed in October’s White Clay Creek at Delaware Park. She made two starter allowance appearances during Churchill Downs’ November meet, beginning with a one-turn mile, where she finished second to Hit Parade, the Brad Cox-trained morning-line favorite in the Untapable.

“(Miss Call) ran well but she wants two turns,” McPeek said.

In her most recent start, Miss Call overcame early difficulties to rally for third.

“She had a massive excuse last time,” McPeek said. “She was badly bumped leaving the gate. She could have — and should have — won.”

In the $100,000 Tenacious Stakes, which opens Saturday’s stakes action as Race 8, McPeek will saddle Sir Greylind, owned by James Colwell, Ryan Chanley, and Post Time Thoroughbreds. A stakes-placed 4-year-old, Sir Greylind has four wins and has never finished out of the money in nine starts. He enters the Tenacious off two strong allowance performances, including a dominant victory in mid-November at Churchill Downs.

“He’s moving through his allowance conditions, and at this point, he deserves a shot against horses like these,” McPeek said. “It’s a good listed stakes field.”

First post for Road to the Derby Kickoff Day on Saturday, Dec. 20, is 12:45 p.m. 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 13 off-track betting parlors throughout Southeast Louisiana. The 154th Thoroughbred Racing Season–highlighted by the 113th running of the Louisiana Derby–will run from Nov. 20, 2025 through March 22, 2026. More information is available online at www.fgno.com.

signature_1751881133 Kevin Kilroy

Racing Analyst/Notes Writer

Churchill Downs, Fair Grounds, Colonial Downs