Gunnevera guns them down in the Delta Downs Jackpot

Gunnevera gunned down the stretch to capture the Delta Downs Jackpot by 5 3/4 lengths.

Breaking well, but lounging in his customary position at the back of the pack, Gunnevera followed a 23.18 first quarter and 47.05 half mile set by Our Stormin Norman. Hot Sean was breathing down the neck of the pacesetter while J Boys Echo, Balandeen and Tip Tap Tapizar raced as a team across the track behind them. The field was bunched up in a traffic jam going around the far corner while traveling six furlongs in 1:12.52. All, that is, except for Gunnevera, who was kicking into gear on the far outside.  

At the top of the stretch, Our Stormin Norman gave way while Hot Sean inherited the lead. Pat on the Back and Dangerfield started to make their move. Meanwhile, Gunnevera was making up ground with huge strides on the far outside. Midway through the stretch, Gunnevera and jockey Javier Castellano blew by Heat Sean and Martin Pedroza  like he was tied to the rail. The pair hit a mile in 1:38.64 and galloped under the wire 5 3/4 lengths in front, getting the 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.15.  Hot Sean was a clear second, four lengths in front of Dangerfield who held on to third place by a half-length ahead of J Boys Echo.

After the race, Javier Castellano commented on Gunnevera, “He was really good. I liked the way he did it today, great performance. There was a lot of speed in the race. He developed himself really well on the backside. He started running at the end, and I was very impressed with the way he finished.” 

Gunnevera returned $7.80, $4.40 and $3.40 to win. Hot Sean paid $5.40, $4.20 to place and Dangerfield offered $8.00 to show. The $1 exacta was $21.00. The $0.50 Trifecta paid $137.20 and the $0.10 Superfecta returned a nice $133.62.

Gunnevera (Dialed In - Unbridled Rage, by Unbridled) was bred by Brandywine Farm & Stephen Upchurch. Foaled in late February, the youngster was sold for a bargain $16,000 to his trainer Antonio Sano  on behalf of Peacock Racing Stables, LLC.

Gunnevera has a 6-3-1-0 ($771,000) and earned ten qualifying points towards the 2017 Kentucky Derby. Gunnevera also has the pedigree to handle longer distances. Read the full analysis here.