Gun Runner will have seven starters in this year’s Breeders’ Cup Oct. 31-Nov. 1 at Del Mar, topped by Sierra Leone, who is seeking back-to-back wins in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on Saturday.
On Friday, 2-year-old showcase day, Gun Runner has a pair in the Juvenile Fillies, with Meaning in post 3 and Super Corredora in post 8. Meaning, owned Bridlewood Farm & Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and bred Stonehaven Steadings, will be making her first stakes start following a sharp maiden debut on Sept. 20. Super Corredora is also a recent maiden winner, but 8 ¼-lengths on Oct. 11. The bay filly is owned by Spartan Equine Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds, Robert Gardiner and Michael Olszewski.
In the Juvenile (G1), race 9 at 7:45 pm ET, Gun Runner has the undefeated $3 million colt Brant, who won the Del Mar Futurity (G1). Bob Baffert trains for Zedan Racing Stables Inc. Brant was bred by PTK LLC.
Gun Runner’s first starter Saturday will be Vahva in the Filly & Mare Sprint (G1), race 4 at 3 pm ET. Vahva, who has earned more than $2.1 million, drew post 3 and is owned by Belladonna Racing, L. Hudson, E. Hudson, Jr., West Point Thoroughbreds, Twin Brook Stables, W.S. Farish, LBD Stable, Runnels Racing & Manganaro Bloodstock and was bred by Woodford Thoroughbreds.
Gun Runner has two in the Distaff (G1), race 7 at 5:01 ET. Gun Song drew post 10, with Dry Powder next to her in post 11. Gun Song, winner of the Beldame S. (G2) in her last start, is owned by R. Lee Lewis and was bred by Marianne Stribling. Dry Powder, who has been worse than second only once in six lifetime starts, is owned by Gold Square LLC and was bred by Corser Thoroughbreds LLC.
Sierra Leone has post 7 for the Classic, race 9 at 6:25 pm ET. Owned by Peter, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg and Brook Smith, Sierra Leone won this year’s Whitney S. (G1) and has earned over $7 million lifetime. Bred by Debby Oxley, Sierra Leone sold for $2.3 million as a yearling.
The Breeders’ Cup is airing live across NBC, USA Network and Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming service, as well as on multiple online wagering platforms.
