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Gun Runner tests Battery in Louisiana Derby
Gun Runner, winner of the Risen Star here at Fair Grounds in his last race on February 20 returns to face 10 others in the G2 $1 million Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby.
Currently 3rd on the Kentucky Derby leader board with 51 points, Gun Runner has his sights set on the 100 points lions share that goes to the winner of the Louisiana Derby as he attempts to keep pace with Moyhamen who currently has 70 points and is scheduled to go next in the Florida Derby on April 2 at Gulfstream Park.
Gun Runner Gets Heady Ride in Risen Star
In the Risen Star Gun Runner, who was making his first start over the surface at Fair Grounds, was forwardly placed along the rail down the backside by jockey Florent Geroux and gradually moved up into contention to take the lead turning for home and held off the late moves by Forevermo and Mo Tom to win by a half length. The final running time was 1:43.4 for the 1 1/16 mile distance giving Gun Runner a 97 Beyer for the effort.
Mo Tom, third in the Risen Star, and who had previously won the G3 Lecomte as the 2 to 1 favorite beating Tom’s Ready and the lightly raced Uncle Walter at the 1 mile 70 yards distance, had to check sharply at the 3/16 pole behind a tiring runner and was getting to the top two late. He’ll enter the starting gate for trainer Tom Amoss as the 5 to 2 morning line favorite off that effort and is working well for the race.
Watch the Risen Star replay on YouTube
Several other runners from the Risen Star will return tomorrow including the pace setter Candy My Boy who had won back to back races at shorter distances at Fair Grounds before tiring to finish fourth in the Risen Star after leading the pack for most of the race. He reunites with Torres and expect to see him on the lead again in the Derby.
Battery is Pletcher Charge in Louisiana Derby
Battery, a 3YO son of Bernardini who is trained by Todd Pletcher for the Harrell Ventures stable, comes in from Gulfstream of a two length victory at 1 1/8 miles in an OC75/N1x where he faced just 4 other rivals as the heavy favorite. He has two wins, a second and a fourth from four starts and will give Pletcher his fourth Louisiana Derby if he wins on Saturday. Battery has been training at his Palm Beach Downs base and gets the services of regular rider Javier Castellano.
Get free pps for the Louisiana Derby.
