Wednesday, May 03, 2023

Gun Runner’s Disarm will have the advantage of recency on his side when he goes postward in Saturday’s $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1), according to his trainer Steve Asmussen.

“There’s a lot to him. He is a very durable horse, and I think that the best is yet to come,” said Asmussen recently from the Churchill Downs backside when asked about how Disarm came out of the April 15 Lexington S. (G3) at Keeneland.

Disarm earned his way into the Derby with an excellent second in the Louisiana Derby (G2), which was his first stakes start, then a third in the Lexington earned the required points to make the Derby field.

Asmussen commented on how much Disarm reminds him of his sire.

“He is actually a bigger physical than Gun Runner, but they look very much alike,” said Asmussen.

Disarm is owned and bred by Winchell Thoroughbreds, who also campaigned Gun Runner. Disarm drew post 11 in the 20-horse field, but will break from post 10 with the scratch of Practical Move to his inside.

The chestnut colt will be ridden by Joel Rosario, who was aboard for the Louisiana Derby. Post time for Saturday’s Run for the Roses is 6:57 p.m. ET.