Asmussen to train Gun Runner's 2-year-old full brother
A full brother to Horse of the Year Gun Runner has hit the Keeneland work tab.
The 2-year-old Fortune Ticket breezed four furlongs from the gate in 48.8 seconds Tuesday in Lexington, Ky. He also worked 51 seconds May 28 over four furlongs and 38 seconds May 21 over three furlongs.
Fortune Ticket shares both the same sire, Argentinian-bred Candy Ride, and dam, Quiet Giant, as Gun Runner.
Bred by Three Chimneys Farm LLC, Fortune Ticket will be trained by Steve Asmussen, who also conditioned the champion. That’s according to Doug Cauthen, vice chairman of the farm.
“Gun Runner’s little brother is doing fine,” Cauthen said. “At this point, he’s just Gun Runner’s little brother. He’s not quite as big as Gun Runner was at this stage, but he’s going along fine.
“We certainly have hopes for him, but we can’t have any huge expectations because there’s only one Gun Runner. But we think hopefully he’ll run this summer.”
Gun Runner retired last year after winning his final start, the 2018 Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1). He also recorded Grade 1 wins in the 2017 Breeders’ Cup Classic, 2017 Woodward Stakes, 2017 Whitney Stakes, 2017 Stephen Foster Handicap and 2016 Clark Handicap.
Gun Runner earned $15,998,500, winning 12 times in 19 starts. He now stands at Three Chimneys Farm.