Gunite full-brother Spice Runner shines on debut

Winchell Thoroughbreds’ third-generation Kentucky homebred Spice Runner provided world-class sire Gun Runner with another promising offspring when breaking his maiden by 2 ¼ lengths on May 23 at Churchill Downs.

Sent to post as the heavy 1-4 favorite, Spice Runner established close stalking tactics from the outside of the two pacesetters and was cut loose with a three-wide bid at the top of the stretch. Fending off third-choice Baytown Dreamer’s late rally, Spice Runner crossed the wire first while stopping the clock in 58.36 seconds for the five furlongs.

Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, Spice Runner is out of the stakes-winning Cowboy Cal mare Simple Surprise which makes him a full brother to multiple Grade 1-winner Gunite.