By Steve Sherack
After securing a narrow, front-running victory in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes Jan. 4, 'TDN Rising Star' Guns Loaded (Gun Runner) will be the one to catch while making his two-turn debut in Saturday's GIII Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
The 1 1/16-mile Holy Bull attracted a talented field of seven, including 9-5 morning-line favorite 'Rising Star' Ferocious (Flatter), a last-out fifth with trouble in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile; and the Brad Cox-trained Tappan Street (Into Mischief), a promising debut winner going seven furlongs at Gulfstream Dec. 28.
The Holy Bull offers 42 (20-10-6-4-2) qualifying points on the road to the GI Kentucky Derby.
“It's a strong field and every horse is still improving,” trainer Jose D'Angelo said. “You can see it in the Mucho Macho Man that he's still a little green. Our plan is to try to make the Derby. We hope that he continues to learn and improve and that we have him the right way on the first Saturday in May.”
Guns Loaded, an $800,000 Keeneland September Yearling purchase campaigned in partnership by Morplay Racing, Joey Platts and Lady Sheila Stable, will be piloted by leading rider Irad Ortiz, Jr. for the first time in the Holy Bull. Luis Saez, aboard Guns Loaded in all three of his previous starts, has opted for the aforementioned Tappan Street.
“(Saez) decided to ride the Brad Cox horse,” D'Angelo said. “He told me that he gave the call immediately after he won the maiden. That's OK, we have Irad; he worked him and really liked the horse. I think we're in good shape for this race.”
Guns Loaded shot out to the front from his rail draw and had things his own way through fractions of :24.54 and :47.61 in the one-turn mile Mucho Macho Man. He kicked for home in complete command, and, after showing some immaturity down the lane, dug down gamely to hold off Treaty of Rome (Uncle Mo) by a neck.
He made two previous attempts, finishing a respectable second on debut after stumbling at the start going seven furlongs at Saratoga Aug. 31, then earned his 'Rising Star' badge with a powerful, wire-to-wire victory at second asking while cutting back to six furlongs at Churchill Downs Nov. 16. The latter performance was good for a career-best 88 Beyer Speed Figure.
One of 16 'Rising Stars' for leading young sire and GI Breeders' Cup Classic Winner Gun Runner, Guns Loaded is out of the MGSP Bernardini mare Sky My Sky, who was a two-time winner going 1 1/16 miles on grass. Bred in Kentucky by John Oxley, Guns Loaded hails from the extended female family of MG1SWs Nebraska Tornado (Storm Cat) and Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}).
“I always thought that he was a two-turn horse, that's why I ran him first time out going seven furlongs,” D'Angelo said. “When he showed me his speed, I cut him to six (furlongs) and he won impressively. After that we went to the one-mile Mucho Macho Man and he had a good gallop out–the other horse never passed him. The way that he trains says he can do it. We are very positive and optimistic for Saturday.”
Bentornato (Valiant Minister), meanwhile, a fantastic second at 28-1 in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint at Del Mar Nov. 2, will be given some time off, per D'Angelo. Last year's GII Gallant Bob Stakes winner and G3 Saudi Derby third-place finisher was scratched from the GI Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita Dec. 26 due to a foot abscess.
“He had a strong campaign last year,” D'Angelo said. “We did a PET scan and he had some bone bruising, so we decided to give him time off. He deserves a rest. We're gonna give him the right amount of time and we'll point for the Breeders' Cup Sprint. He's doing good–he's still at the barn.”
#1 GUNS LOADED ($4.60) held on to win the $165,000 Mucho Macho Man Stakes at @GulfstreamPark. The 3YO Gun Runner (@Three_Chimneys) colt was ridden by @luissaezpty for @JFDAngelo.
The Ginger Brew Stakes is up next. Tune in to coverage presented by @ClaiborneFarm on @FanDuelTV! pic.twitter.com/bUHCSbBd2r
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) January 4, 2025
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