Built Piles it On the Gun Runner Field, Earns Ten Points Towards Kentucky Derby 151
Recaps for Sugar Bowl, Letellier, and Blushing K.D.
New Orleans, La (Dec. 21, 2024) – To the lead and with plenty left in the tanks, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners’ Built took the early lead and pulled away by 6 3/4 lengths to win the $100,000 Gun Runner Stakes on Road to the Derby Kickoff Day at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. To the winner goes the spoils and Built earned 10 points winning the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) prep race.
Trained by Wayne Catalano, the Hard Spun colt received the services of Jareth Loveberry. Corey Lanerie originally had the call but could not make it to town due to a delayed flight.
“You always like it when the pace is slow and you’re on the lead,” Catalano said. “Drawing the rail with speed, he handled it well. These are the moments you work every day and get up in the morning for. Today was our day. I appreciate the opportunities all our clients give us and all our help back in the barn.”
In his first try at two turns, Built covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.53. He was sent off at 7-2.
After chasing the front runner throughout, Magnitude never menaced in the stretch and crossed the finish line in second by 8 lengths.
“I found out this morning at 9 o’clock I would be riding him,” Loveberry said. “(Catalano) had him well-meant today. He was well-trained. He is a nice horse and did everything the right way. He turned for home and was ready to finish.”
Built’s record now stands at 3-2-0-1 with $120,204 in the bank.
With his second place finish in the Gun Runner, Magnitude earned 5 points towards a spot in Kentucky Derby 151. Render Judgment overcame a slight stumble for third (3 points). Admiral Dennis could not muster a rally, finishing fourth (2 points). Chris’s Revenge rounded out the Gun Runner field (1 point).
Road to the Derby Kickoff Day stakes action began with the 75th running of the $100,000 Sugar Bowl, a 6 furlong juvenile sprint and it’s female counterpart, the $100,000 Letellier Memorial.
Sent off as the odds-on favorite, S.O.K. Racing, Gervais Racing, On Our Own Stable, Zak Stables and Dallas Stewart’s Touch Catch finished strong under Luis Saez to add a first stakes victory to the Complexity 2-year-old’s resume. After stalking the leaders, Tough Catch seized the lead at the top of the stretch and then powered home to win by 1 length over a game late effort from the first-time starter Doroteo. Tough Catch covered the six panels in 1:10.48
Trained by Dallas Stewart, Tough Catch had been knocking on the door of an added money win in his last two races, finishing second in both the Ed Brown and the Bowman Mill.
“He showed his talent today,” Stewart said. “Coming out of the Hopeful, he had a little foot issue, but we got through that well. This horse is a fighter. He finishes his races off now. We hope that he stretches out. We might try him in the Lecomte.”
A debut winner with Luis Saez aboard, Touch Catch has a 4-2-2-0 record with $201,200 in the bank.
“He’s learned a lot since I rode him last,” Saez said. “Dallas has done a great job with him. Today he was in a great spot and came with a big run. He’s a nice horse.”
The 65th running of the Letellier saw first-time starter Grantley Acres, Ryan Conner and Berkels0813’s Simply Joking run down the post-time favorite Whata Moon. After breaking a beat slow, the Practical Joke filly circled the field in the turn and set down a game effort to get up by neck. The Whit Beckman trained filly stopped the clock in 1:10.33.
“We always thought this one was a tick better (than our other 2-year-old fillies racing today),” Beckman said. “That’s what she’s shown in the morning. Timing-wise, the (Silverbulletday, a Kentucky Oaks prep) could be her next spot. We’ll see how she comes out of it.”
Sent off at 5-2, Simply Joking was piloted by Jamie Torres.
“It was impressive,” Torres said. “She was a little green, being her first race but I think with a little more time, she’s going to figure out her job. We’re very excited (about her talent).”
It took a heady ride from Jose Ortiz and a game rail rally for Stir Crazy to win the $100,00 Blushing K.D., the first of three stakes across the Stall-Wilson Turf Course on Road to the Derby Kickoff Day. Trained by Mike Maker, Stir Crazy clocked in at 1:44.77, finishing 1/2 lengths ahead of Join the Dance, who led the Blushing K.D. at every other call.
“I noticed when the 2 horse (Callie’s Grit) stumbled, the pace was going to be a little bit slow,” Ortiz said. “So I wanted to be a little more forward heading into the backside. I found a comfortable spot behind the leader and was happy right there.”
The 6-year-old Vancouver mare has now amassed $468,354 in lifetime earnings with a 24-6-9-3 career record.
-30-
About Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, one of the nation’s oldest racetracks, has been in operation since 1872. Located in New Orleans, La, Fair Grounds, which is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN), also operates a slot-machine gaming facility and 15 off-track betting parlors throughout Southeast Louisiana. The 153rd Thoroughbred Racing Season–highlighted by the 112th running of the Louisiana Derby–will run from Nov. 22, 2024 through March 23, 2025. More information is available online at www.fgno.com.
