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Go Ahead: Gun Runner’s Make My Day Takes Them All The Way

| 3:24 pm

Repole Stable and Spendthrift Farm’s Make My Day (Gun Runner), a distant third to ‘TDN Rising Star’ presented by Hagyard and GII Louisiana Derby hopeful Emerging Market (Candy Ride {Arg}) trying a distance of ground on Tampa debut Feb. 7, took control of a Friday afternoon maiden at Gulfstream Park right from the start and proved not for catching.

Off as the 5-2 third betting choice, the $1.1-million Keeneland September acquisition broke a bit inward from the rail draw, but nevertheless made an easy lead entering the first turn. Laying down sound fractions of :23.14 and :47.05, the bay colt–carrying the Repole colors this time around–began to sneak away from his rivals with about three furlongs to race and appeared ready to win by as many as Luis Saez pleased.

Second favorite Stompin Grapes (Vino Rosso) tried to make a race of it in the final furlong, but, despite a bit of drifting as the wire neared, Make My Day was home safely in front. It was a gap of 10 lengths to the newly blinkered and market leader The Pulse (Curlin) in third.

Make My Day is a half-brother to an additional six winners, including Magical (Tapit), SW, $164,550; Exulting (Tapit), MSW, $687,370; Imagination (Into Mischief), MGSW & MGISP-USA, GSW-KSA, $2,143,700; and Occult (Into Mischief), GSW & MGISP, $721,006. The deeper female family includes Grade I winners Well Chosen (Deputy Minister) and Golden Ticket (Speightstown). Magical Feeling did not produce foals in 2024 or 2025 and was most recently covered by National Treasure, also bred by Peter Blum.

5th-Gulfstream, $68,000, Msw, 3-20, 3yo/up, 1 1/16m, 1:42.57, sy, 1 1/2 lengths.
MAKE MY DAY (c, 3, Gun Runner–Magical Feeling {GSW & GISP, $554,532}, by Empire Maker) 1/2 to Magical (Tapit), SW, $164,550; Exulting (Tapit), MSW, $687,370; Imagination (Into Mischief), MGSW & MGISP-USA, GSW-KSA, $2,143,700; and to Occult (Into Mischief), GSW & MGISP, $721,006. Sales history: $1,100,000 Ylg ’24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $44,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Spendthrift Farm LLC & Repole Stable; B-Peter E Blum Thoroughbreds LLC (KY); T-Todd A Pletcher.