By J.N. Campbell
Some say the Boy Scout bugle merit badge is one of the toughest to collect. In Thoroughbred racing it is winning a dirt race from way off the pace.
In his Sunday debut at Del Mar, the 'TDN Insighted' Bullard (Gun Runner–Reve d'Amour, by Warrior's Reward) sounded his bugle and charged home to graduate, which earned the 2-year-old a 'TDN Rising Star' merit badge for his effort.
Trailing from the bell, the $675,000 Keeneland September grad watched from the rear of the field as 60 cents on the dollar favorite Kalea Bay (Authentic) carved out the fractions. Unwilling to accept the order to retreat in a situation like this one, the colt blew a ruffle and a flourish around the far turn and began to execute a mounted raid on the field. Picking off competitors the dark bay got clear to the outside at the top of the lane and set his sights on the pacesetter. With a massive kick, Bullard collared the fading leader in the final jumps and earned the equivalent of a Boy Scout bugler.
Acquired by Borges Torrealba for $310,000 at the 2013 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale, Reve d'Amour is responsible for six foals, five to race and four winners. So far, her most accomplished offspring is SW Mundaye Call (Into Mischief), who OXO Equine took home for $950,000 during the 2018 Fasig-Tipton Yearling Sale. The winner is his dam's last registered foal of record, but he does have a 4-year-old half-brother in Chad Brown's care named Cascais (Into Mischief).
Digging into this extended female family, Bullard's French multiple groups stakes winning second dam is responsible for MSW Martha's Moon (Malibu Moon) and GSW Can the Man (Into Mischief). While under his third dam we find MGISP Better Than Honour (Deputy Minister), who produced champion 3-year-old filly Rags to Riches (A.P. Indy) and her older half-brother GISW Jazil (Seeking the Gold).
Bullard represents the 15th 'TDN Rising Star' for the accomplished Gun Runner.
#3 BULLARD ($8.80) runs down Kalea Bay to break his maiden on debut in the opener at @DelMarRacing. @umbyrispoli rode the two-year-old colt by @Three_Chimneys' Gun Runner for trainer @mwmracing. pic.twitter.com/5f7mmbMmjY
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) September 1, 2024
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