Gun Runner
Trainer Brad Cox produced another potential Kentucky Derby prospect at Fair Grounds Dec. 26 when Jace’s Road led all the way to take out the 1 1⁄16-mile Gun Runner Stakes.
Third in the Iroquois (G3) two starts back, bettors ignored Jace’s Road’s last-start failure in the Street Sense (G3), noting he’d dumped his rider prior to the start that day. He was perfectly well-behaved for jockey Florent Geroux at Fair Grounds, working through fractions of 24.46, 48.18, and 1:12.54 at the head of affairs.
It was clear Geroux had the race well in control down the stretch, easing up to score by 5 1⁄2 lengths at the line and taking 10 points on the Road to the 2023 Kentucky Derby table. Combined with the points he earned in the Iroquois, the victory took Jace’s Road to 13 points overall.
Raise Cain finished well at good odds to take second and earn four points on the Derby Road. Favorite Determinedly bobbled at the start and did well considering to take third, earning three points, with Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) third Hayes Strike taking fourth on this occasion, picking up two points and taking his overall tally to seven. Fifth place, and one point on the Derby Road table, went to Andthewinneris.
A $510,000 yearling purchase, Jace’s Road is raced by West Point Thoroughbreds and Albaugh Family Stables.
By Alastair Bull
| Results | Win | Place | Show | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Jace's Road 2-1 | $6.80 | $4.40 | $3.00 |
| 6 | Raise Cain 23-1 | $15.40 | $5.20 | |
| 3 | Determinedly 4-5 | $2.20 | ||
| 1 | Hayes Strike 5-1 | |||
| Payouts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Double | 6/2 | $26.50 |
| Exacta | 2/6 | $53.30 |
| Pick 3 | 6/6/2 | $99.00 |
| Pick 6 | ||
| Superfecta | 2/6/3/1 | $41.50 |
| Trifecta | 2/6/3 | $74.85 |