Jockey Steve Asmussen has a robust displaying in Saturday’s fifth annual $100,000 Gun Runner Stakes on the Fairgrounds. The Corridor of Fame coach has received two of the primary 4 begins within the race, which is a qualifying factors race for subsequent spring’s Kentucky Derby hosted by Woodford Reserve.
This 12 months, Asmussen is seeking to signal Gun Runner. #2 Honmachi Chip (9-2). The up-and-coming stallion looms as a robust menace to win, as he’s theoretically the frontrunner in a race with little tempo.
There are eight horses working within the 2025 Gun Runner, however solely two have proven a need to set the tempo. One is Chip Honcho. The opposite is #5 Crown the Buckeye (5-1), set the tempo with sprints in his first two begins, however efficiently switched to rally techniques within the 1 1/16-mile Better of Ohio Juvenile Stakes, successful by 4 and a half lengths. If Clown the Buckeye continues with this tried-and-true technique of rallying from behind in a 1 1/16-mile race, Chip Honcho could have each likelihood to safe an uncontested lead.
Chip Honcho made his debut at Keeneland in his maiden race masking seven-eighths of a mile. The tempo was quick, and my three rivals gave me an early lead. Nonetheless, he completed second after a number of horses, shedding by two and three-quarters of a size to Dr. Kapur, who received in a decent time.
Chip Honcho’s second begin was his first one-mile race on the muddy monitor at Churchill Downs. This time Chip Honcho had no bother taking the lead. He posted sturdy seconds of twenty-two.84 seconds and 45.92 seconds, then held off all challengers to win by 1 1/4 lengths.
Chip Honcho shall be carrying blinkers for the primary time within the Gun Runner Stakes, and his velocity might speed up even additional. He shall be ridden by Paco Lopez, who has led extra winners than another jockey for the reason that starting of this 12 months’s Fairgrounds occasion. If Chip Honcho breaks sharply from publish 2, he can run to the entrance, maintain his floor all the way in which, and win the Gun Runner gate-to-wire.
third place Liberty Nationwide (7-2) is my second selection. He completed sixth behind Chip Honcho in his mutual debut with Dr. Kapur, however improved dramatically in his first race of 1 1/16 miles at Churchill Downs three weeks in the past. Ending at a quick tempo within the midfield and successful by 4 1/4 lengths suggests he’s a proficient stallion with a promising future.
Earlier than boxing Chip Honcho in Ekta in opposition to Liberty Nationwide, we advocate betting that Chip Honcho will win. In the event you are available 1st or 2nd place in any order, money your ticket.
Technique for betting with a finances of $10
#2 Earn $6 with Chip Honcho
What to say on the betting window: Honest Grounds, Race 11, #2 Chip Honcho Wins $6
$2 Actual: Field 2, 3 (Whole value: $4)
What to say on the betting window: Fairground, 11 races, $2 Actual: Field 2, 3
Technique for betting with a finances of $30
#2 $18 to win with Chip Honcho
What to say on the betting window: Honest Grounds, Race 11, #2 Chip Honcho wins $18
$6 Actual: Field 2, 3 (Whole value: $12)
What to say on the betting window: Honest Grounds, 11 races, $6 Ekuta Field 2,3
Good luck and benefit from the race!
