Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Kentucky-bred Gunite fended off reigning Champion Male Sprinter Elite Power to win the $500,000 Forego (G1) at Saratoga on Saturday, Aug. 26. In earning his second Grade 1 victory following the 2021 Hopeful S. (G1), Gunite handed Elite Power his first loss in nine races, dating back to May of 2022. Elite Power had defeated Gunite in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. (G1) in July.
Gunite showed the way early and through a half-mile in :46.20. After six furlongs in 1:09.67, Gunite found another gear and the 4-year-old Gun Runner colt responded gamely to the challenge from Elite Power. He maintained a clear advantage and scored by 1 ¾ lengths at the finish, stopping the timer for seven furlongs in 1:21.53 over a fast main track for trainer Steve Asmussen.
“Gunite is just a very special horse to race at the level he has for as long as he has and do it consistently,” said Asmussen. “It was a very tough defeat for him in the Vanderbilt and for him to not blink an eye, come back and lay it down again today just proves what a special horse he actually is.”
Winning jockey Tyler Gaffalione said of the winner, “The difference between today and last time was, going the three quarters, you’ve got to use him a little more than you’d like to. Seven-eighths suits him a little bit better. He’s a big colt, just let him get into his stride and let him do his thing.”
A Kentucky homebred for Winchell Thoroughbreds, Gunite is by Gun Runner and out of the Cowboy Cal mare Simple Surprise. His record now stands at 19-9-6-2 and he has amassed earnings of $2,094,509.