Three Chimney Farm’s super sire Gun Runner may have missed a first crop Classic winner in the Kentucky Oaks and Derby, but he struck with the Chad Brown Early Voting in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on Saturday.
The winner of his two starts at two including a four and a half-length triumph in the Withers Stakes (GIII), Early Voting lost his unbeaten record in his first start at three when second to Mo Donegal in the Wood Memorial (GII) at Aqueduct.
Electing to miss the Kentucky Derby, Brown had Early Voting cherry-ripe for the second leg of the Triple Crown.
With Jose Ortiz in the saddle, Early Voting stalked the early speed before taking the lead around the final turn.
The son of Gun Runner battled on courageously to hold the challenge of the favourite Epicenter (Not This Time) by one and a quarter lengths with Creative Minister (Creative Cause) a further two and a quarter lengths back in third.
It was the second Preakness win for Brown and owner Seth Klarman who combined with 2017 winner Cloud Computing.
Brown indicated Early Voting would miss the Belmont Stakes in favour of the Travers Stakes.
Bred by Three Chimneys Farm, Early Voting was bought by Triphammer Farm for $200,000 from the Hill 'n Dale Sales Agency consignment at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
He is the best of three winners from as many to race from the unraced Tiznow mare Amour D'Ete, a sister to Blue Grass S.takes (GII) winner Irap (Tiznow), and a half-sister to leading sire Speightstown(Gone West)..
