Last Gunfighter Prevails in Mountainview Shootout

John Gunther's homebred Last Gunfighter came out on top in a duel worthy of the OK Corral in a thrilling $200,000 Mountainview Handicap at Penn National on Saturday.

Javier Castellano and Last Gunfighter settled off the pace behind the early leaders. Valid took command early with fractions of :23.80, :47.92 and 1:12.43 and 1:37.58. Last Gunfighter challenged Arlo for second-position at the top of the stretch. Last Gunfighter shook his rival after mild bumping between contenders.

Sailor's Revenge came from far outside with a big stretch run to catch the front runners. Last Gunfighter met with Valid and the pair dueled to the wire. Last Gunfighter emerged from a close photo examination, as well as a rider's objection and steward's inquiry related to the stretch contact with Arlo, to win by a nose.

The final time for 1 1/8 miles was 1:50.55.

Golden Ticket was scratched prior to race day and Taptowne was a late vet scratch.

Last Gunfighter is a 5-year-old horse by First Samurai out of the Sir Cat mare Saratoga Cat. He was bred in Kentucky by his owner. Chad Brown is the winning trainer. Last Gunfighter has a career record of nine wins, three seconds and two thirds from 16 starts and earnings of over $1,140,000.