Liberty National, Mesquite among eight in Gun Runner; Hit Parade tops Untapable

The Road to the Kentucky Derby and Oaks gets underway at Fair Grounds Saturday, as the New Orleans track offers the $100,000 Gun Runner S. two-year-olds and $100,000 Untapable S. for two-year-old fillies. Both races drew eight-horse fields and will offer points on a 10-5-3-2-1 scale to the top five finishers toward a berth in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Oaks (G1) next spring.

Contested over 1 1/16 miles, the Gun Runner is headed by Liberty National, who has been installed as the 7-2 morning line favorite following a convincing maiden triumph the second time out on the Stars of Tomorrow II program at Churchill Downs on Nov. 29. Kenny McPeek trains the dark bay son of freshman sire Maxfield, and Brian Hernandez Jr. retains the mount on the stalker.

Mesquite is eligible to compete for favoritism following a fine maiden win at Churchill on Nov. 7. Trained by Cherie DeVaux, the Union Rags colt overcame a rough trip in the stretch to prevail by about a length while stretching to two turns last time, and Jose Ortiz will retain the assignment on the well-built youngster.

Other contenders include Chip Honcho, who will step up to face stakes rivals and add blinkers for Steve Asmussen following a frontrunning maiden tally on Nov. 20. Paco Lopez will replace Ortiz in the saddle. Crown the Buckeye will try to carry his form forward against open rivals after dominating Ohio-bred stakes foes in his last two outings, and Jareth Loveberry has the call for Mike Maker. Mister Punch, who switched from turf to dirt to record a smashing win over $100,000 maiden claiming rivals the second time out, highlights a pair of runners from Brad Cox.

Cox will send Hit Parade to the mile and 70-yard Untapable. Listed as the 5-2 choice, the daughter of Street Sense exits a pair of wins at Churchill Downs, registering a field-best 90 Brisnet Speed rating defeating starter allowance rivals last out, and Hit Parade will add Luis Saez.

Actis, a 4 3/4-length winner of the Nov. 25 My Trusty Cat S. at Delta Downs, is the lone stakes winner in the field, and the Tom Amoss-trained daughter will add Ortiz. McPeek has stakes-placed Miss Call, the 3-1 second choice on the morning, and Have Faith merits respect for Dallas Stewart following a nice win at Churchill.

Fair Grounds will feature three more respective qualifiers for the Kentucky Derby and Oaks.

The Lecomte (G3) and Silverbulletday will take place on Jan. 17, and the Risen Star (G2) and Rachel Alexandra (G2) will be offered on Feb. 14. The $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) and $400,000 Fair Grounds (G2), major qualifiers offering 100 points to the winner, are scheduled for March 21.