Guns Loaded (Gun Runner), second behind GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity and GIII Street Sense Stakes fourth Dapper Moon (Malibu Moon) at Saratoga in August, fired back Saturday to become a new 'TDN Rising Star' at Churchill Downs.
The 3-1 shot, who shortened from seven furlongs to six here for trainer Jose D'Angelo in his second try since bringing $800,000 as a Keeneland September yearling last year, exploded from an outside gate and shot clear of drama to his inside as first-time starter Shadow Coast (West Coast) clipped heels in the opening jumps and dropped jockey Tyler Gaffalione. As the mostly inexperienced group sorted themselves out, Guns Loaded was already pushing the tempo up front under Luis Saez and had a comfortable cushion back to Castle Run (Daredevil) and Brodeur (Nyquist) on the run into the far turn. Only 6-5 race favorite Camp Hale (Mo Town) looked to have something left to challenge the leader with and came with a wide run past the quarter pole but was always chasing in vain as Guns Loaded refused to relinquish his advantage and rode the rail to a clear win. Shadow Coast was quickly apprehended by the outriders shortly after the incident while Gaffalione was transported to University of Louisville Hospital to evaluate hip and back pain.
Jockey Tyler Gaffalione, who was unseated from his mount 2yo Shadow Coast shortly after the start of Saturday's third race @ChurchillDowns, has been transported to UofL Hospital to further evaluate his hip and back pain.
— Churchill Downs PR (@DerbyMedia) November 16, 2024
The 16th 'Rising Star' for leading sire Gun Runner, Guns Loaded is the third foal and second winner for MGSP Sky My Sky who was a $450,000 OBS April 2-year-old buy for Up Up & Away Stables and placed in both the GIII Seaway Stakes and the GIII Old Forester Mint Julep Handicap in her racing career. Second dam Dark Sky sold to Summer Wind Farm in 2011 for $1.5m at KEENOV and the family includes French MG1SW Nebraska Tornado (Storm Cat) and MG1SW Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Sky My Sky's yearling Curlin colt sold for $535,000 at FTSAUG to Flying Dutchman and she foaled a full-sister to Guns Loaded this year before visiting Flameaway for 2025.
#11 Guns Loaded was loaded today and goes gate-to-wire in R3 at @churchilldowns under @luissaezpty for trainer Jose Francisco D'Angelo! 💪
👑The #ClaimingCrown starts next: https://t.co/JX6b0RNaDV
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/CDVAyNyt1I
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) November 16, 2024
3rd-Churchill Downs, $122,250, Msw, 11-16, 2yo, 6f, 1:09.90, ft, 2 3/4 lengths.
GUNS LOADED, c, 2, Gun Runner
1st Dam: Sky My Sky {GSP-Can, GSP-USA, $204,011},
by Bernardini
2nd Dam: Dark Sky, by Storm Cat
3rd Dam: Media Nox (GB), by Lycius
Sales History: $800,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $89,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart and VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
O-Morplay Racing LLC, Platts, Joey and Lady Sheila Stable; B-John C. Oxley (KY); T-Jose Francisco D'Angelo.
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