Thursday, July 08, 2021

Joyrunner became Gun Runner’s seventh First-Crop winner with a dynamic stretch run in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race July 8 at Indiana Grand.

Joyrunner splashes to victory at Indiana Grand – Coady photography

The 2-year-old filly, who was making her first start, was some 10 lengths from the lead in the first quarter-mile, then began to make up ground around the bend. She came five-wide into the stretch and asserted herself in the final furlong, rolling by the field to win by 1 1/2-lengths.

Trained by Laura Wohlers for James McIngvale, Joyrunner is out of the Pure Prize mare Joy, who was a three-time stakes winner and hails from the family graded winners Safely Kept and Partner’s Hero. She was bred by Dark Hollow Farm and sold to McIngvale for $145,000 at the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling sale.

Among Gun Runner’s seven winners is the stakes-placed filly Wicked Halo. Gun Runner currently leads the First-Crop sire list with $346,212 in progeny earnings.