By Bill Finley
Ron Winchell, the co-owner of Gun Runner (Candy Ride {Arg}), reports that he has secured a starting spot in the Jan. 28 GI Pegasus World Cup for his Grade I winner, but admits that getting to Gulfstream is a problem that may stand in his way.
Gun Runner is stabled at Fair Grounds, where an EHV-1 outbreak has led to a quarantine situation whereby horses are not allowed to leave or enter the track. With the Pegasus set to be run in just two weeks, time is running short and it is quite possible that Gun Runner will remain stuck in New Orleans come Pegasus Day. The herpes outbreak at the Fair Grounds is an on-going and fluctuating situation, which has left everybody involved left guessing when the quarantine will be lifted.
“We have worked something out and we do have a spot for the race,” said Winchell, who owns the horse along with Three Chimneys Farm. “A deal has been made and we are ready to go. The question is whether or not we can make it. Some days I'm 80% positive we're going to make it and then I wake up the next morning and I am 80% positive we'll never make it out of there in time for the Pegasus.”
Winchell declined to reveal which stakeholder the deal had been made with.
Winchell's racing manager David Fiske said trainer Steve Asmussen is continuing to prepare Gun Runner as if he will be racing in the Pegasus.
“He is scheduled to work this weekend and he's still training like he's going, just in case something positive were to happen,” he said. “Personally, I think it is unrealistic to think he's going to get out in time. Originally, Steve wanted to get him to Gulfstream in time to have a work over the track. If not that, maybe some strong gallops would suffice.”
Gun Runner won the GI Clark H. at Churchill Downs in his last start and prior to that was second in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. Should he make it to the Pegasus he would likely be the third choice behind Arrogate (Unbridled's Song) and California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit).
Horses will be required to be on the grounds 72 hours before the race or at about 5 p.m. Jan. 25. With that in mind, Winchell said that the Fair Grounds quarantine would have to be lifted by Jan. 24 for Gun Runner to be able to ship out and arrive on time.
“Everybody is trying to get him there,” he said. “Everybody, that is, but the state of Louisiana.”
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