Stormy Knight turned a patient beginning into a decisive victory in The Gun Runner, advancing from eighth at the first call to fifth, then third before taking command in the final stage. The Mb Stables gelding, ridden by Curtis B, went off at just under 8-1 and won by a quarter-length, completing the mile on firm Kentucky Downs turf in 1:32.70.

Race Recap

The $1,750.000 Gun Runner brought together 14 three-year-olds for one mile over firm turf at Kentucky Downs. Mb Stables, serving as owner/trainer, sent out Stormy Knight with Curtis B aboard. Lunar Artist finished second, Excavate charged home for third and Hide In Plain Sight completed the first four.

The Running — Flow & Calls

First call: Destined Charge immediately established the pace and held the lead. Regal Classic was second, Sinissipi Swinger third and Perfect Folly fourth. Kuykendahl followed in fifth, with Drummer Boy sixth and Star Studded seventh. Stormy Knight began from eighth, followed by Lunar Artist in ninth and Hide In Plain Sight in 10th. Renard was 11th, Magnetic Spirit 12th, Bank Robber 13th and Excavate was 14th.

Second call: Destined Charge continued to control the race, with Regal Classic still second and Sinissipi Swinger maintaining third. Perfect Folly remained fourth. Stormy Knight began his advance, moving from eighth to fifth, while Drummer Boy held sixth. Kuykendahl slipped to seventh, Lunar Artist moved into eighth and Star Studded dropped to ninth. Renard remained 10th, Hide In Plain Sight was 11th, Magnetic Spirit held 12th, Bank Robber remained 13th and Excavate continued at the rear.

Third call: Destined Charge was still in front and Regal Classic continued to pursue from second, but Stormy Knight had now advanced into third. Perfect Folly remained fourth, while Sinissipi Swinger dropped from third to fifth. Lunar Artist continued his gradual improvement, moving into sixth. Drummer Boy was seventh, Kuykendahl eighth, Star Studded ninth, Renard 10th and Hide In Plain Sight 11th. Bank Robber improved to 12th, Excavate moved into 13th and Magnetic Spirit dropped to 14th. Stormy Knight’s running line documents the progression from eighth to fifth to third before the winning finish.

Final stage: The complexion changed substantially. Stormy Knight completed his sustained advance and went past Destined Charge and Regal Classic to take the lead. Lunar Artist produced an even larger late move, advancing from sixth into second, while Excavate came from 13th at the third call to reach third.

Hide In Plain Sight also supplied a strong late response, moving from 11th to fourth. Destined Charge, after controlling each of the first three calls, surrendered the lead and finished fifth. Renard improved from 10th to sixth, while Bank Robber came from 12th to seventh.

Perfect Folly faded from fourth to eighth after remaining near the front group throughout the first three calls. Star Studded and Regal Classic reached the finish together in the dead heat for ninth. Kuykendahl finished 11th, Drummer Boy 12th, Sinissipi Swinger 13th and Magnetic Spirit completed the field.

Each Runner Mentioned

Stormy Knight — Produced one of the race’s most sustained advances. He was eighth initially, moved to fifth at the second call, reached third at the next and then completed the progression by taking the victory.

Lunar Artist — The post-time favorite was ninth at the first call, eighth at the second and sixth at the third before accelerating into second. His late progression made him Stormy Knight’s closest pursuer at the finish.

Excavate — Turned in the most dramatic late rally in the field. He was last at each of the opening two calls and still 13th at the third before surging all the way to third. Considering how far back he remained through most of the race, his finishing position was particularly noteworthy.

Hide In Plain Sight — Was 10th initially, dropped to 11th at both the second and third calls and then delivered a major late advance to finish fourth.

Destined Charge — Controlled the race through each of the first three calls. He held the lead throughout that portion of the contest before giving way during the final stage and finishing fifth.

Renard — Began 11th, advanced to 10th at the second call, remained there at the third and continued forward to sixth.

Bank Robber — Raced 13th at the first two calls, advanced to 12th at the third and then continued his progress to finish seventh.

Perfect Folly — Raced fourth through each of the first three calls but could not sustain that position in the closing stage and finished eighth.

Star Studded — Was seventh at the opening call and ninth at both the second and third calls before finishing in a dead heat for ninth.

Regal Classic — Occupied second position through all three intermediate calls before losing ground late and finishing in the dead heat for ninth.

Kuykendahl — Started fifth, dropped to seventh at the second call and eighth at the third before finishing 11th.

Drummer Boy — Raced sixth through the first two calls, slipped to seventh at the third and finished 12th.

Sinissipi Swinger — Was a prominent third through the opening two calls, dropped to fifth at the third and then faded to 13th.

Magnetic Spirit — Was 12th through the opening two calls, dropped to 14th at the third and remained there through the finish.

Stormy Knight Delivers for Mb Stables

The victory represented a substantial addition to Stormy Knight’s record. His past performances now show 12 lifetime starts with four wins, three seconds and lifetime earnings of $1,336.900. His turf record stands at 10 starts with four wins and two seconds, and the Gun Runner became his third victory from eight starts during 2026.

Stormy Knight is a 3-year-old bay gelding by Our Dark Knight out of Bora Stormwarrior, bred by Our Athletes (NY) and currently owned and trained by Mb Stables.

Track: Firm
Time: :23¹  :46²  1:09³  1:32³

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 5 – 10 Paid 61.90
$1 Trifecta: 5 – 10 – 12 Paid 1,185.70

Scratched: None

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded