The only thing brighter than Gun Runner's attitude Sunday morning was the wattage of Steve Asmussen's smile as he soaked in every precious moment with the horse who answered almost every bell in his 19-race career.
Because Gun Runner has delivered on almost every one of his connections' aspirations, his team now feels the pressure of wanting him to properly close the book on a chapter that has nothing left to prove.
In his typically professional manner Jan. 22, Gun Runner breezed a half-mile in :48.96 at Gulfstream Park in the last timed workout ahead of his career finale in the $16 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) Jan. 27 at Gulfstream.
Gun Runner, the likely favorite for the upcoming $16 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1), took his first trip around Gulfstream Park the morning of Jan. 19. He arrived at the Florida oval Jan. 18.
Like practically every one of his works before, Gun Runner delivered a rock-solid exercise that one would be pressed to find fault with as he covered four furlongs in :49 2/5 Monday under exercise rider Angel Garcia.
Trainer Bob Baffert's efforts to replicate a 2016 schedule with Drefong that saw the son of Gio Ponti secure victory in last year's TwinSpires Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) appears to be on schedule.
Winchell Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farm's Gun Runner put in his first timed work Oct. 2 since arriving in Southern California a week ago, going a half-mile in :50 2/5 at Santa Anita Park.
The same Gun Runner that Scott Blasi has seen at several other racetracks made his first trip around the Santa Anita Park main track Sept. 27.
Gun Runner wore a saddle towel with "Dirt Mile" sewn into the side during his easy half-mile breeze Oct. 30 at Santa Anita Park, and that's where he's almost surely headed for his Breeders' Cup spot.
On the morning following Arrogate's record-smashing performance in the Travers Stakes (gr. I), Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert had nothing but accolades for his new stable star.
Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Nyquist and Preakness Stakes (gr. I) victor Exaggerator will renew their rivalry July 31 at Monmouth Park in the $1 million Betfair.com Haskell Invitational Stakes (gr. I).
Louisiana Derby (gr. II) winner Gun Runner completed his major work before the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) with an easy half-mile breeze May 2 at Churchill Downs.
Tapiture and Holy Boss, two Breeders' Cup World Championships hopefuls trained by Steve Asmussen, breezed at Keeneland the morning of Oct. 11.
The much-anticipated September 24 release by New York regulators of their probe into the care of horses trained by Steve Asmussen is being delayed.
Two-time grade II winner Honor Code remains on track for his scheduled start in the $1.25 million NYRA.com Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) June 6 at Belmont Park.
New York regulators are still not saying when the findings of an investigation into allegations of horse abuse by trainer Steve Asmussen will be released.
A licensing committee of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has approved the license request of Scott Blasi, Steve Asmussen's assistant trainer who last year was at the center of allegations from an animal rights group.
Racing doesn't need to destroy itself to thrive.
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission's frustration with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals practically spills off the 27 pages summing up its investigation of the Steve Asmussen stable.
As part of its extensive investigation into Steve Asmussen stable following allegations of horse mistreatment from an animal rights group, the KHRC compiled safety numbers in which the trainer fared well
A nearly one-year investigation in Kentucky cleared trainer Steve Asmussen of allegations of horse abuse brought by the animal-rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
Kentucky horse racing commissioners are expected to listen Jan. 15 to a staff report on an investigation of trainer Steve Asmussen that followed allegations of horse mistreatment from PETA.
Trainer Art Sherman couldn't be more pleased with how California Chrome is coming up to the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) at Parx Racing Sept. 20.
With celebration and nostalgia, the 2014 Hall of Fame class that began tinged with controversy was inducted Aug. 8 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., in a ceremony that honored two equine champions, Ashado and Curlin.
Though People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has submitted a 10-page complaint and a 22-minute video to the KHRC alleging animal abuse in trainer Steve Asmussen's Churchill Downs stable, no smoking gun is evident.
Trainer Steve Asmussen told NBC Sports Network in a segment aired May 2 the allegations made against him by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals are untrue, and he hopes to have the chance to defend himself in court.
At least one regulator investigating violations alleged in a PETA video posted last month involving the stable of trainer Steve Asmussen expects the inquiry to take at least several months.
Zayat Stables has terminated Steve Asmussen and moved all 12 of its horses that were previously in the trainer's care following an internal investigation on the PETA report and video that was published in the New York Times.
A guest blog from Mandy Haskin responding to the Steve Asmussen-Scott Blasi furor.
Scott Blasi, the assistant trainer to Steve Asmussen, has been relieved of his duties pending an examination of documents and videos released by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which alleges animal abuse.
When you cover racing 24-7 and this sport is all you see, the good and bad plays out before your eyes.
Racing industry organizations have greatly stepped up their call for swift adoption of national model rules on medication and drug testing in the wake of probes into allegations of mistreatment and over-medication of horses.
The New York Gaming Commission said March 20 it is investigating allegations of "abuse and mistreatment" of Thoroughbreds after receiving information gleaned from an undercover investigation performed by PETA.
A major Thoroughbred racing stable was the subject of a 2013 undercover investigation by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which alleges over-medication of and cruelty to horses.
Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic runner-up My Miss Aurelia worked a half mile in :48 3/5 on Santa Anita's fast main track on the morning of Dec. 20 in preparation for next week's La Brea Stakes (gr. I) at seven furlongs.
Two-time graded stakes winner continues to train well for Kentucky Derby.
Jockey Mike Smith will have the mount on Daddy Nose Best in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), according to assistant trainer Scott Blasi.
Steve Asmussen has a trio of intriguing Derby prospects
Eclipse Award-winning trainer Steve Asmussen returned to Santa Anita Nov. 29 with a stable of approximately 40 horses to begin preparation for a second season in Southern California this winter.
California, Pennsylvania, and Japanese buyers converged on Barretts for the March 2-year-olds in training sale, resulting in a strong auction, particularly at the top end.
Steve Asmussen, winner of the Eclipse Award as the nation's outstanding trainer the past two years, is planning a 30-horse stable during Santa Anita's winter/spring meeting that begins Dec. 26.
Assistant trainer Scott Blasi is confident that Rachel Alexandra is progressing nicely during her 4-year-old campaign.
Halters worn by two-time Eclipse Award winner Zenyatta and 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra brought a combined $8,777.99 on eBay in a fundraiser for the Race for Education.
Reigning Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra arrived at Saratoga the morning of June 30 and was bedded down in her old stall at trainer Steve Asmussen's barn near the Oklahoma Training Track.
Rachel Alexandra, last year's Horse of the Year, is slated to contest the April 30 La Troienne Stakes (gr. II) on the Kentucky Oaks undercard.
In her second work of the week, reigning Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra breezes four furlongs in :50 3/5 Feb. 6 in New Orleans.
Rachel Alexandra gets the main prize, but partisan crowd shows admiration for both at the 2009 Eclipse Awards.
Superstar filly Rachel Alexandra jogged lightly once around the track at Churchill Downs at the end of training hours Nov. 23 with regular exercise rider Dominic Terry up accompanied by assistant trainer Scott Blasi on a pony.
Rachel Alexandra is enjoying her well-deserved vacation at Saratoga following an arduous and ambitious campaign that culminated with a memorable victory over older males in the Woodward Stakes (gr. I). The daughter of Medaglia d'Oro will ship back to Churchill Downs on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
Rachel Alexandra provided one of the great moments in the history of Saratoga when she scored a courageous head victory over older male rivals in the $750,000 Woodward Stakes Sept. 5.
