By J.N. Campbell
The formal kick to the Florida series saw Guns Loaded (Gun Runner) hit his mark in the nick of time to take home the 14th rendition of the Mucho Macho Man Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Saturday.
As a juvenile, the colt debuted as the runner-up last August at Saratoga, but he donned cap and gown 2 1/2 months later with an eye-catching performance under the Twin Spires. For his efforts, he was administered the oath as the latest 'TDN Rising Star' in town.
Sent to trainer Jose D'Angelo's southern base at Palm Meadows, the dark bay arrived as the 6-5 choice here. Guns Loaded blazed out of the gates like it was the O.K. Corral and proceeded to make every pole a winning one. With the field in hot pursuit, the 'Rising Star' drove towards the wire. However, Treaty of Rome (Uncle Mo) was looking to collect his own reward and the bay almost made high noon, but he came up short by a neck.
“I was pretty sure that he was going to be on the lead,” said trainer Jose D'Angelo. “I was just afraid that he would go too fast because it was his first time going the mile and from the number one [post] you have to ask a little bit from the gate, but everything worked perfect. I worked a little this week at the gate with him … because you have to go in before everybody, wait, and break sharp, and that's what happened.
“Today he looked green again,” D'Angelo said. “He ran the first time out in Saratoga and he tried to go inside, and he did the same today. I asked Luis [Saez] about the gallop out and he said when he saw the other horse he got another gear. So that's good, but we have to train him now going forward.”
D'Angelo added that the GIII Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Feb. 1 would be the colt's next target.
Sky My Sky (Bernardini) is responsible for a yearling colt named Rockin N Roastin (Curlin), who went to Flying Dutchman for $535,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale, and she foaled a filly by Gun Runner last year. A $450,000 OBS April 2-year-old buy for Up Up & Away Stables, the winner's dam was entered in Flameaway's book for this term. Guns Loaded's second dam Dark Sky (Storm Cat) sold to Summer Wind Farm in 2011 for $1.5 million during Keeneland November and the family includes French MG1SW Nebraska Tornado (Storm Cat) and MG1SW Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}).
MUCHO MACHO MAN S., $150,000, Gulfstream, 1-4, 3yo, 1m, 1:38.87, ft.
1–GUNS LOADED, 118, c, 3, by 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
($800,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. 'TDN Rising Star'. O-Morplay Racing LLC, Joey Platts and Lady Sheila Stable; B-John C. Oxley (KY); T-Jose Francisco D'Angelo; J-Luis Saez. $91,140. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, $180,140.
2–Treaty of Rome, 118, c, 3, Uncle Mo–Coin Broker (Ire), by Montjeu (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith and Michael B. Tabor; B-Orpendale/Chelston (KY); T-Chad C. Brown. $29,400.
3–Septarian, 120, g, 3, Protonico–Amadeus Melody (GB), by Amadeus Wolf (GB). ($1,700 RNA Ylg '23 KEEJAN). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Resolute Racing; B-International Equities Holding, Inc. (KY); T-Chad C. Brown. $14,700.
Margins: NK, 3 3/4, 3 3/4. Odds: 1.30, 11.20, 4.60.
Also Ran: Macho Music, Cool Intentions, McKellen, Sonic Skidaddle. Scratched: Naughty Rascal, Rolando.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
GUNS LOADED, with a serious possibility to travel for the Saudi Derby @thesaudicup , wins The Mucho Macho Man at Gulfstream Park, ridden by @luissaezpty for trainer @JFDAngelo and the colors of @MorplayRacing
GUNS LOADED, gana el Mucho Macho Man con la monta de Luis Sáez para… pic.twitter.com/bIEiteVEOf
— Agentes305 (@agentes305) January 4, 2025
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