Built Bursts Onto Derby Trail With Gun Runner Score

Built earned 10 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby Dec. 21 with a dominating gate-to-wire score in the $96,000 Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Making his black-type debut off a seven-furlong Keeneland maiden victory, the 2-year-old colt handled the added distance and tougher competition with aplomb for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and trainer Wayne Catalano. Ridden by Jareth Loveberry, who inherited the mount from Corey Lanerie at 9 a.m. this morning, the pair seized the advantage out of the starting gate and strolled through comfortable early fractions of :24.64 and :49.23. Still under a stout hold as recent allowance winner Magnitude and 3-5 favorite Admiral Dennis loomed menacingly turning for home, Loveberry cut an explosive Built loose after six furlongs in 1:13.77. A one-length lead quickly expanded and the son of Hard Spun stormed across the wire in a final time of 1:43.53 for 1 1/16 miles. Built ($9.80) was 6 3/4 lengths clear of runner-up Magnitude and another 2 3/4 lengths ahead of third-place finisher Render Judgement. Admiral Dennis, bet down following an impressive maiden win at Churchill Downs, could only manage fourth after stumbling to his knees at the start. The top five finishers earned points on a 10-5-3-2-1 scale to the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1). Bred in Kentucky Robert and Lawana Low, Built sold to Eclipse for $260,000 at this year's Ocala Breeders' Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. He is the first winner produced from the 7-year-old Curlin mare Sea Garden.