Gun Runner got his 35th lifetime graded stakes winner Saturday evening at a rainy Sam Houston Racetrack when Perfect Shot surged past Standoutsensation in deep stretch to win the $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic (G3).
The 5-year-old mare placed in both the Rachel Alexandra S. (G2) and Silverbulletday S. as a 3-year-old and has now won $559,534 for her owner Whisper Hill Farm.
After sitting in sixth of seven for the first five furlongs, Perfect Shot made up some ground around the final turn while in the three path to get within about four lengths of Standoutsensation and multiple Grade 1 winner La Cara, who were battling for the lead. Standoutsensation pulled clear in the final furlong, but Perfect Shot had her measure and came home a half-length winner in 1:46.09 over a muddy main track.
Whisper Hill acquired Perfect Shot for $285,000 out of the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling sale. The chestnut mare was bred in Kentucky by Sierra Farm and hails from the family of champion 2-year-old filly Pleasant Stage.
Perfect Shot is Gun Runner’s first graded winner of 2026 and comes just two days after his filly Super Corredora was named the Champion 2-year-old Filly of 2025. The winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), Super Corredora has post two recent bullet works at Santa Anita Park as she readies for her 2026 campaign.
