Chip Honcho Gets On the Board in Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds
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Leland Ackerley Racing’s Chip Honcho claimed victory in the $100,000 Gun Runner Stakes on December 20, 2025, at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. The 2-year-old colt by Connect, trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen and ridden by Paco Lopez, rallied in the stretch to win the 1 1/16-mile dirt race by a determined margin, earning 10 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Race Recap
Chip Honcho stalked the pace set by Crown the Buckeye, who carved out fractions of :23.62, :46.66, and 1:10.98. Turning for home, Chip Honcho launched his bid and overtook the leaders in the final strides to prevail. The final time was 1:44.76 on a fast track.
The 5-2 favorite Liberty National, trained by Kenny McPeek and ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr., closed strongly for second. Crown the Buckeye held third, followed by Quality Mischief and Very Connected. Mister Punch completed the field of six. Mesquite and Arabia Wild were scratched.
Results and Payouts
- 1st: Chip Honcho — $9.80 win, $4.40 place, $3.00 show
- 2nd: Liberty National — $2.80 place, $2.20 show
- 3rd: Crown the Buckeye — $2.60 show
Kentucky Derby Points
As a qualifying race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, points were awarded 10-5-3-2-1:
- Chip Honcho: 10 points
- Liberty National: 5 points
- Crown the Buckeye: 3 points
- Quality Mischief: 2 points
- Very Connected: 1 point
This victory marks Asmussen’s third win in the Gun Runner Stakes, following Epicenter (2021) and Track Phantom (2023). The race, named for Asmussen’s 2017 Horse of the Year, continues to produce notable Derby trail contenders.
Chip Honcho, a $210,000 yearling purchase, improved his record to 2-1-0 in three starts after adding blinkers for this effort. His connections may target the Lecomte Stakes (G3) next at Fair Grounds.
