Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Spice Runner

Sep 17, 2025 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

Spice Runner wins the Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

Winchell Thoroughbreds homebred Spice Runner picked up 10 points on the 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series following his score in the $299,400 Iroquois S. (G3) at Churchill Downs on September 13. The bay clocked one-mile on the fast main strip in 1:36.59 for trainer Steve Asmussen under the guidance of Jose Ortiz.

“Last time I rode him we were a little too close to the pace,” Ortiz said. “Steve told me today to stay off the pace and let him relax. He really dug in late to get the job done. He was a little green late and switched to his left lead but he was still coming. I think we still haven’t reached the top with him. He can still improve mentally but he’s on the right track. I’m really excited for him.”

Comport, Vost, Nothing Personal, and Maximus Prime rounded out the top five and earned qualifying points on a 5-3-2-1 structure, respectively.

Spice Runner was unveiled on May 23 and powered home to a 2 ¼-length victory in a five-furlong heat beneath the Twin Spires. Bred in the Bluegrass State, the colt checked in a distant fifth in the Bashford Manor S. on the oval on June 29 in his second lifetime appearance, and the youngster preceded his Iroquois victory with a runner-up result in the Juvenile S. at Ellis Park on August 10. His lifetime line now reads 4-2-1-0, $293,170.

The son of Gun Runner is the third foal produced from the stakes winning Cowboy Cal mare Simple Surprise, who bagged the 2015 Bolton Landing S. on the Saratoga turf. He counts himself as a full-brother to $1.9 million earner and young sire Gunite, who annexed the 2021 Hopeful S. (G1) and 2023 Forego S. (G1).

Spice Runner equalled his top number when registering a 89 Brisnet Speed figure in the Iroquois and has displayed a lot of ability this campaign. His catalog page is slanted towards speed, but the colt did prosper in his initial route try last time out and has the look of a nice prospect, nonetheless.

Spice Runner takes 10 points in the Iroquois (G3), the first prep on the Road to the Kentucky Derby (G1) 🌹@jose93_ortiz had the mount on the Steve Asmussen-trained Gun Runner 2yo 🤩 pic.twitter.com/x6RIAkrPbQ

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) September 13, 2025