Aptly Named Always A Runner Blows Rivals Away to Garner ‘Rising Star’ Honors at Tampa Bay Downs

[Wandering Eyes]

She may've been left behind at the jump, but Always A Runner (Gun Runner) turned the tables in the lane as she effortlessly cruised home to 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' honors at Tampa Bay Downs.

Tabbed as a horse to watch in the 'Insights' segment for this unveiling, the Chad Brown-trainee entered this contest with a healthy worktab at Belmont and Payson Park, and commanded the betting dollars to the tune of 3-5 favoritism.

Right from the jump, she made her backers sweat when Always A Runner hopped at the gate, leaving her well behind the rest as the field went on its way. Racing along from the rear, with only Goldy Gate (Charlatan) beaten after that one had an even worse beginning, the daughter of Gun Runner made an eye-catching move around the far turn and was plucking off her rivals with little asking from her rider via the overland route. In command and playing with her foes, she won geared down with ear pricked by 6 1/2 lengths over Evangalina (Practical Joke).

Always A Runner, who was sold to Douglas Scharbauer for $1.05-million at the Keeneland September sale in 2024 before Three Chimneys stayed in for a piece, is the first foal to the races for fellow 'Rising Star' Always Carina, who was the bridesmaid in the GII Mother Goose Stakes during her racing career. Three Chimneys, who bought second dam Miss Always Ready (More Than Ready) for $400,000 at the 2014 Keeneland April 2-year-old sale, bred not only Always A Runner but also Always Carina. The dam has been to Gun Runner four times, producing this 'Rising Star', a juvenile full-sister, a yearling full-brother, and is due back to that stallion for 2026.

The aforementioned Miss Always Ready is herself a full-sister to GII Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf heroine More Than Real, who was exported to Australia after her racing career ended and became a multiple Group producing dam and granddam. Most notably hailing from her branch of the family is G1 Golden Slipper victress Lady of Camelot (Aus) (Written Tycoon {Aus}), who was also crowned Australia's champion juvenile filly. Miss Always Ready was no slouch herself as the dam of GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf hero Structor (Palace Malice).

 

After a slow start, #6 ALWAYS A RUNNER ($3.20) circled around the field to win for fun, geared down under @SamyCamacho1 at @TampaBayDownsFL. The daughter of Gun Runner (@Three_Chimneys) is trained by Chad Brown. Douglas Scharbauer and @Three_Chimneys owns. pic.twitter.com/ccJaQ7IOZw

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 6, 2026

 

3rd-Tampa Bay Downs, $32,000, Msw, 2-6, 3yo, f, 1m 40y, 1:42.93, ft, 6 1/2 lengths.
ALWAYS A RUNNER, f, 3, by Gun Runner
          1st Dam: Always Carina {GSP, $218,800}, by Malibu Moon
          2nd Dam: Miss Always Ready, by More Than Ready
          3rd Dam: Miss Seffens, by Dehere
Sales history: $1,050,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $19,200. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-Douglas Scharbauer and Three Chimneys Farm, LLC (Goncalo B. Torrealba); B-Three Chimneys Farm, LLC (KY); T-Chad C. Brown.

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