Leading First-Crop sire Gun Runner tallied his fourth winner Sunday at Sapporo racetrack in Japan when Gran Aplauso won a 1,200 meter turf race by just over a length.
Despite drawing the outside post in the field of 16 2-year-olds, Gran Aplauso secured a good spot just off the lead soon after the break. When called upon at the top of the stretch, he sprinted clear of the field and was going along easily when he crossed under the wire.
Owned by his breeder Shinji Maeda, Gran Aplauso is the first foal out of the stakes-winning Medaglia d’Oro Fiducia, while his third dam Great Christine is a half-sister to Horse of the Year Lady’s Secret.
Former Horse of the Year Gun Runner won two of his three starts at two before embarking on three brilliant seasons that included six Grade 1 wins and nearly $16 million in earnings. He is standing the 2021 season for $50,000 S&N.
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