NEW ORLEANS (AP) Gun Runner took the lead entering the final stretch and held off challenges from Forevamo and Mo Tom to win the $400,000 Grade II Risen Star Stakes at the Fair Grounds Race Course on Saturday.
Trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Florent Geroux, Gun Runner beat 40-1 long-shot Forevamo by a half-length in the prep race for Kentucky Derby hopefuls.
Gun Runner ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.94 and paid $12.20, $7.00 and $4.80. Forevamo returned $33.80 and $12.20, and Mo Tom paid $3 to show.
Mo Tom, the winner of the Lecomte Stakes in January, was last out of the gate and its late charge was slowed on the home stretch by a collision with Bistraya that cut one of his legs. He's owned by Gayle Benson, the wife of New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson
Airoforce, the 7-5 favorite, settled near the back of the field and never mounted a challenge. He finished 10th.
