So easy for odds-on Gun Runner in Whitney

Report: USA, Saturday

Saratoga: Whitney Stakes (Grade 1) 1m1f | dirt | 3yo+

Arrogate may have fluffed his lines at Del Mar last month but Gun Runner (Steve Asmussen/Florent Geroux), the horse who chased the world champion home in Dubai, made no such mistake in the Whitney.

Sent off 3-5 for the $1.2 million contest, the four-year-old assumed control as they exited the back straight before powering to an authoritative victory by five and a quarter lengths from late-running Keen Ice, who never got close enough to mount any sort of challenge.

In winning his third Grade 1 event, Gun Runner stopped the clock in a sharp 1m47.71s. "My horse broke super sharp today from the gate," said winning rider Florent Geroux.

"I could've gone to the lead if I wanted to, but I just stayed cover until the five-eighths pole and from there the race was pretty much over. My horse was just on cruise control from all the way from there and then I just gave him a tap to make sure he stayed focused but there was not even a need for that."

The Whitney offers a fees-paid berth in the Breeders' Cup Classic as part of the 'Win and You're In' Challenge – but Gun Runner's connections don't really need it, as he already holds a guaranteed spot in the $6m contest after his seven-length romp in the Stephen Foster in June.

Steve Asmussen paid tribute to his representative. "He's spoiling us, he really is," said the trainer. "He went about his business and Florent gave him a flawless ride. We talked about the pace scenario with a possible rabbit, but we wanted him to wait and not take away from what got him here. There's a lot of pressure under those circumstances when there's a horse entered for pace for him."

Full result

Also on Saturday

Saratoga: Test Stakes (Grade 1) 7f | dirt | 3yo fillies

A notable success for former Newmarket-based trainer Simon Callaghan as American Gal (Jose Ortiz) drew away to score by an impressive four lengths after challenging four wide into the stretch for this $500,000 contest.

"We'll take her back to California and think about the Breeders' Cup and which way to go about it," said Callaghan, who took over the filly's training when owner Kaleem Shah removed his string from Bob Baffert.

Full result