Nash Looking to Score in Gun Runner, Bank Kentucky Derby Points
At 3h46, on December 20, 2023 • By FAIR GROUNDS
Off a dominant win in his second career start, the Godolphin homebred Nash has been installed as Mike Diliberto’s 7-5 morning line favorite against seven rivals in Saturday’s $100,000 Gun Runner Stakes. In addition to the $100,000 purse, the Gun Runner will offer 2-year-olds, soon to be three, 10-5-3-2-1 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby 150 presented by Woodford Reserve.
Epicenter, the winner of inaugural Gun Runner two years ago, would later take down both the Risen Star (G2) and Louisiana Derby (G2) in advance of a runner-up performance in the Kentucky Derby.
Brad Cox, who trained Jace’s Road to a Gun Runner score last year, will tighten the girth around Nash. By Medaglia d’Oro out of the multiple stakes winning Malibu Moon mare Sara Louise, Nash has a strong pedigree in his corner.
“This is a good horse, he’s very intelligent, does everything right, a super work horse,” Cox said. “He had a good move (at Fair Grounds) on Friday and we’re looking forward to facing winners for the first time on Saturday.”
Sprinting on debut on October 7 at Keeneland, Nash sat a pocket trip and finished a clear second behind the gate to wire winner Booth. Stretched out to 1 1/16 miles for his follow-up start five weeks later at Churchill Downs, Nash went right to the lead and extended his margin of victory to the wire with every stride, romping up 10 ¼ lengths in front of his closest pursuer. He earned a 97 Brisnet Speed figure for his efforts.
“He’s a good colt–we’ve liked him a lot,” Cox said. “It was a dominant performance (going two turns for the first time). He’s given us confidence. Based off how he works, he appears to have multiple gears. He really has a turn of foot. When the rider calls upon him, he accelerates quickly. We’re still trying to figure him out with only two runs under his belt but he’s a nice talent.”
Florent Geroux will have the return call aboard Nash from post 6.
