Summer of ‘Love’ Continues for Gun Runner With Latest Spa Debut Winner

[Wandering Eyes]

6th-Saratoga, $105,000, Msw, 8-21, 2yo, f, 6 1/2f, 1:17.93, ft, 4 3/4 lengths.

GRAND LOVE (f, 2, Gun Runner–Grand Prayer {SW, $145,170}, by Grand Slam) continued the eternal hot streak for her superstar second-crop sire with a speedy debut score Sunday at Saratoga. Tipping her hand with a half-mile gate breeze in :47 2/5 (4/143) over this track July 31, the Three Chimneys homebred was let go as the 47-10 fourth choice and broke like a rocket from her inside post. Quickly two lengths clear, the bay showed the way through a :21.96 quarter while being chased by narrow favorite Rarify (Justify). That rival crept closer entering the bend and it appeared a stretch duel was imminent nearing the turn for home, but Grand Love would have none of it and burst clear again once straightening. Shying in from a right-handed Ricardo Santana, Jr. whip around the eighth pole, she jumped back to her left lead and stayed there for the remainder of the race, dulling her momentum some, but still kicked home a clear 4 3/4-length winner over Rarify in 1:17.93. A half-sister to Malibu Prayer (Malibu Moon), GISW, $618,026; and Valid (Medaglia d'Oro), MGSW & GISP, $1,104,647, Grand Love is the last reported foal for her dam, who sold for $1 million to Besilu Stables at Keeneland November in 2011. Grand Prayer is herself a half-sister to GISW Swagger Jack (Smart Strike) and GSW Tap Dance (Pleasant Tap). Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $57,750. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

O/B-Three Chimneys Farm, LLC (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen.

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