Winchell Thoroughbreds, Three Chimneys Farm and Besilu Stables' Gun Runner (Candy Ride {Arg}), third in the GI Kentucky Derby and winner of the GII Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby, has been officially withdrawn from consideration for Saturday's GI Preakness S., trainer Steve Asmussen confirmed Tuesday. The chestnut breezed four furlongs in :51.40 [38/42] at Churchill Downs Monday, his first move since the Derby.
“We're going to pass on the Preakness,” the newly elected Hall of Famer said. “We're going to continue to train at Churchill and plan on a serious summer of 3-year-old races with him. He's been in tremendous physical condition going into the Derby–and coming out of it–and we expect for him to continue to physically develop.”
Gun Runner captured his first two starts last year and concluded his juvenile season with a fourth-place run in the GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. beneath the Twin Spires Nov. 28. He subsequently stamped himself as a top 3-year-old with a pair of wins in the GII Veterans Ford Risen Star S. Feb. 20 and the Louisiana Derby Mar. 26. In the Kentucky Derby, he chased a swift pace and held on to finish third behind Preakness starters Nyquist (Uncle Mo) and Exaggerator (Curlin).
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