Meet the Contenders: 2025 Gun Runner Stakes
Mesquite wins at Churchil Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)
December 16th, 2025
Meet the horses running in the 2025 Gun Runner S at Fair Grounds. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents the opportunity to perform well. Be sure to follow these contenders by adding them to your Stable Alerts.
Mesquite wins at Churchil Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)
#1 Mesquite ****
Pro: Rallied from far back to win as odds-on choice; remains with upside for hot barn.
Con: Has shown no positional speed whatsoever in either start.
Mesquite improves at second asking to graduate in R8 at @churchilldowns for trainer @reredevaux with @jose93_ortiz aboard! 💪
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) November 7, 2025
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/Ulb5cO3lnz
Chip Honcho wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)
#2 Chip Honcho ****
Pro: Hung tough, leading all the way to graduate in the mud.
Con: Adds blinkers, but could still see some stiffer pace pressure.
Liberty National wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)
#3 Liberty National *****
Pro: Dazzling two-turn debut after being a non-factor at Keeneland; top threat.
Con: Three-week turnaround potentially too soon for a return.
Quality Mischief wins at Horseshoe Indianapolis. (Photo by Coady Media)
#4 Quality Mischief *
Pro: Much improved second out winning off-the-turf maiden.
Con: Graduation was not a fast race at all; he needs to quicken considerably.
TwinSpires
#5 Crown the Buckeye ***
Pro: Dominating winner in a pair of Ohio-bred stakes; worth trying vs. open company.
Con: Class hike is no small thing and might fit better sprinting at this level.
TwinSpires
#6 Arabia Wild *
Pro: In the mix in all three starts, and graduated here with first blinkers.
Con: Maiden win was rather pedestrian; has much improving to do.
Very Connected wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)
#7 Very Connected ***
Pro: Has stakes experience most lack and this group seemingly easier than last two.
Con: That said, a bit more exposed than others, and the lone win was in slop.
Mister Punch wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)
#8 Mister Punch ***
Pro: Took a huge step forward first time on dirt; perhaps fastest of barn’s trio.
Con: Dropping him in for $100K tag perhaps wasn’t the strongest vote of confidence.
