Chip Honcho gives Asmussen third Gun Runner victory

Chip Honcho prevailed in the $100,000 Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds, giving trainer Steve Asmussen his third victory in the race's five runnings.

Ridden by Paco Lopez, Chip Honcho covered 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.76, beating Liberty National to the wire by 3/4 lengths. Crown the Buckeye, who led throughout, held on to finish third.

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Breaking cleanly, Chip Honcho settled to the leader's outside, keeping pacesetter Crown the Buckeye in his sights through fractions of :23.62 and :46.66 seconds. Liberty National, who broke slowly after contact at the start, gathered himself near the back of the field and steadily advanced along the rail.

Holding strong through the far turn, Crown the Buckeye began to tire deep in the stretch as Chip Honcho and Liberty National continued to close. Chip Honcho made the decisive move outside the leader, and Liberty National rallied late along the rail to secure second.

With the victory, Chip Honcho earned 10 points toward the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard. Liberty National received five points for his runner-up finish, and Crown the Buckeye earned three points for finishing third. Quality Mischief ran fourth to earn two points. Very Connected finished fifth and added one point, giving him a total of six leaderboard points.

Exiting a maiden victory at Churchill Downs going one mile, Chip Honcho proved himself at a full two turns in the Gun Runner. He joined Epicenter and Track Phantom as Asmussen's winners of the first of four local Derby preps.

Chip Honcho, who races for Leland Ackerley Racing, paid $9.80, $4.40 and $3.00. His career record of 3: 2-1-0 has earned him $150,475.