Spice Runner

Spice Runner wins the Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs.

Owner

Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC

Trainer

Steven M. Asmussen

Jockey

Gaffalione, Tyler

Breeder

Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC

Earnings

$312,426

Color

Bay

Overview

Spice Runner: Rising Star with Classic Distance Potential

 

Trained by Steven Asmussen for Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC, Spice Runner has quickly established himself as a promising two-year-old with an impressive 2-1-0 record from just four starts and earnings of $293,170. This bay colt by Gun Runner out of Simple Surprise (by Cowboy Cal) is showing the kind of progression that has TwinSpires handicappers taking notice.

 

His recent victory in the Iroquois Stakes race at Churchill Downs on September 13 demonstrated both talent and determination, as he fought gamely to win by a head while drifting in the stretch. This followed a solid second-place finish in a stakes race at Ellis Park, showing his consistency at the highest juvenile levels.

 

When considering his potential at the classic 1 1/4 mile distance, Spice Runner's pedigree offers compelling evidence for stamina. His sire Gun Runner, the 2017 Horse of the Year, has an Average Winning Distance (AWD) of 7.4 furlongs with his progeny (offspring), suggesting they typically excel beyond sprint distances. More importantly, Gun Runner has already sired (fathered) several notable route performers, including Epicenter, who won the Gun Runner Stakes before becoming a major classic (1/4 distance) contender.

 

On the dam's side, Cowboy Cal brings additional stamina influence with an AWD of 7.6 furlongs for his daughters' offspring. This balanced pedigree suggests Spice Runner should handle stretching out to longer distances as he matures.

 

Key betting angles to consider with Spice Runner include:

-- Trainer Steven Asmussen excels with developing young classic prospects

-- The colt shows tactical versatility, winning both on the lead and from just off the pace

-- His steady progression in workouts at Churchill Downs indicates continued development

-- TwinSpires data shows Gun Runner offspring typically improve significantly at age three

 

For TwinSpires bettors looking for value in future wagers, Spice Runner represents an intriguing prospect who appears to have only scratched the surface of his potential as he stretches out in distance.

 

RELATED: 

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Spice Runner

Pedigree

Sire Name Gun Runner

Dam Name Simple Surprise

Horse Profile September 17, 2025

Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Spice Runner

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.

Oaks News September 13, 2025

Spice Runner turned the tables on Comport, tallies 10 points on ‘Road to Derby” with Iroquois win; Taken by the Wind captures Pocahontas for Bradshaw

Spice Runner rallied to edge Comport in Saturday's Iroquois (G3), the first of 36 qualifying races toward the 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1), and Taken by the Wind picked up Kentucky Oaks (G1) points winning the Pocahontas (G3) at Churchill Downs

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