Study Guide: 2025 Gun Runner Stakes

Dec 15, 2025 J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

Very Connected wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

The first of four 2025-26 Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifiers taking place at Fair Grounds is Saturday’s $100,000 Gun Runner S.

Held over 1 1/16 miles, the Gun Runner vaulted to fame when the inaugural running in 2021 produced 2022 Kentucky Derby (G1) 1-2 finishers Rich Strike and Epicenter.

This year’s Gun Runner has drawn eight horses, all vying for the 10-5-3-2-1 Kentucky Derby qualification points awarded to the top five finishers. Let’s check out the entries:

Mesquite

Mesquite wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

Start(s): 2
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: LBD Stable
Breeder: LBD Stable
Trainer: Cherie DeVaux
Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Top Speed Rating: (84) when winning a Churchill Downs maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $70,675

Sire: Union Rags
Dam: Taurasi
Color: Bay

After failing to challenge in his debut sprinting, Mesquite fared better in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight at Churchill Downs, rallying from last place to win in narrow fashion. He’s progressing in the right direction, but won’t get much pace to chase in the Gun Runner.

Chip Honcho

Chip Honcho wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

Start(s): 2
Wins: 1
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: Leland Ackerley Racing
Breeder: Venneri Racing and Tony Fanticola
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Paco Lopez

Top Speed Rating: (90) when finishing second in a Keeneland maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $90,475

Sire: Connect
Dam: Miss My Rose
Color: Dark bay/brown

There isn’t much pace in the Gun Runner field, which figures to favor Chip Honcho. He led all the way to win a one-mile maiden special weight at Churchill Downs last month. If Chip Honcho secures an uncontested lead at Fair Grounds, he can post a gate-to-wire win for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, who has won two of the first four editions of the Gun Runner with Epicenter (2021) and Track Phantom (2023).

🎓 It's graduation day for Chip Honcho! He stretches out and breaks his maiden in the finale at @ChurchillDowns.

Steve Asmussen trains and @jose93_ortiz was up.

🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/0jrnMfYm9m

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) November 20, 2025

Liberty National

Liberty National wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

Start(s): 2
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: Brookdale Racing and Fern Circle Stables
Breeder: Rock Ridge Thoroughbreds
Trainer: Kenny McPeek
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.

Top Speed Rating: (91) when winning a Churchill Downs maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $70,675

Sire: Maxfield
Dam: Virtuoso
Color: Dark bay/brown

Liberty National was much the best in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight at Churchill Downs last month, unleashing a fast finish to dominate by 4 1/2 lengths. He looms as a viable win contender for Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Kenny McPeek, though a lack of pace at Fair Grounds could compromise his late-running style.

Quality Mischief

Quality Mischief wins at Horseshoe Indiana. (Photo by Coady Media)

Start(s): 2
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: West Paces Racing and Donegal Racing
Breeder: Robert Low and Lawana Low
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Marcelino Pedroza Jr.

Top Speed Rating: (72) when winning a Horseshoe Indianapolis maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $19,360

Sire: Into Mischief
Dam: Quality Way
Color: Bay

In his most recent start, Quality Mischief rallied with determination to win a maiden special weight, racing one mile and 70 yards at Horseshoe Indianapolis. However, the Brisnet Speed rating he earned (72) appears light against the Gun Runner field.

Crown the Buckeye

Start(s): 3
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: Paradise Farms, David Staudacher, and Hooties Racing
Breeder: Pick View, Paul W. Schaffer, and William D. Pickerrell
Trainer: Mike Maker
Jockey: Jareth Loveberry

Top Speed Rating: (96) when winning the Clever Kinder S. at Thistledown.
Total Earnings: $135,000

Sire: Yaupon
Dam: Feisty Tomboy
Color: Bay

Bred in Ohio, Crown the Buckeye has shown promise competing against fellow Ohio-breds in his home state, dominating the Best of Ohio Cleveland Kindergarten S. and Best of Ohio Juvenile S. in succession. The Gun Runner is a tougher race, but Crown the Buckeye owns the highest Brisnet Speed rating in the field, suggesting he’s talented enough to challenge for victory.

Arabia Wild

Start(s): 3
Wins: 1
Place: 2
Show: 0

Owner: Sumaya U. S. Stables
Breeder: International Equities Holding
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Axel Concepcion

Top Speed Rating: (78) when winning a Fair Grounds maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $45,200

Sire: Gun Runner
Dam: Alpha Spirit
Color: Bay

Arabia Wild is the only Gun Runner entrant who has won at Fair Grounds, having battled to victory in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight last month. But he’ll need to improve upon his career-best 78 Brisnet Speed rating to factor against tougher foes on Saturday.

Mister Punch

Mister Punch wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

Start(s): 2
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: Novogratz Racing Stables
Breeder: Newtown Anner Stud Farm
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Luis Saez

Top Speed Rating: (90) when winning a $100,000 maiden claimer at Churchill Downs.
Total Earnings: $42,164

Sire: Into Mischief
Dam: Indy Punch
Color: Bay

After failing to factor in his debut on turf, Mister Punch switched to dirt for a 1 1/16-mile $100,000 maiden claimer at Churchill Downs. He relished the change, winning by 4 3/4 lengths with a sharp 90 Brisnet Speed rating. Don’t underestimate this improving runner.

Very Connected

Very Connected wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

Start(s): 5
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 2

Owner: Dream Big Racing
Breeder: Woodford Thoroughbreds
Trainer: Kenny McPeek
Jockey: Colby Hernandez

Top Speed Rating: (88) when finishing third in the Street Sense (G3) and fourth in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs.
Total Earnings: $127,025

Sire: Connect
Dam: C J’s Gal
Color: Bay

Very Connected has started twice on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, running third in the Street Sense (G3) and fourth in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G3), both over 1 1/16 miles at Churchill Downs. As a late runner, he may wind up hindered by a slow pace in the Gun Runner, but another top-four finish is surely within reach.