Fair Grounds Picks: Gun Runner Stakes (12/20/2025)

The racing action from Fair Grounds on Saturday features the Gun Runner Stakes. @HandicappingT3 has all the Fair Grounds picks for the entire card!

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Fair Grounds Full Card Analysis

Fair Grounds Picks: Gun Runner Stakes (12/20/2025)

Fair Grounds Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 12:45 PM CT; Maiden Special Weight $55k; 5 1/2 F Turf; Field of 14 runners.

• #11 ACQUAZURRA (7-2): Top pick. Love the heart this one shows in a fight. Looks good based on the 74 speed rating which is among the top in the group.
• #14 SHARP MINDSET (6-1): Major Player. Good race flow for this runner. Running well of late.
• #13 ANGELIC KATIE (10-1): Major Player. Potential to have this pace fall just right. Loveberry puts this one in with a chance.
• #1 HIDDEN MAP (6-1): Major Player. Trainer's horses have been running. Can compete from a speed figure standpoint.

Selections: 11 – 14 – 13 – 1

The Plays

Win: #11 at 7-2

Trifecta: 11/14,13/1,13,14

Fair Grounds Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 1:15 PM CT; Maiden Special Weight $55k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

• #6 MISS SUPER MO (9-2): Top pick. Favorable class relief in this spot.
• #1 MISSIN MISSY (3-1): Major Player. Stamina to be in the mix late. Can run with these.
• #5 LA MAXIMA (6-1): Contender. Barn has been sending out runners. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race.
• #4 WHAT'S LOVE (6-1): Contender. Trainer's horses have been running. May be getting a weaker field than last out.

Selections: 6 – 1 – 5 – 4

The Plays

Win: #6 at 9-2

Exacta: 6/1,5

Fair Grounds Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 1:45 PM CT; Maiden Special Weight $55k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

• #3 GOLDEN TEMPO (4-1): Prime Win Player. Barn has been solid. Proven competitor at this configuration.
• #4 CORONADO (3-1): Contender. Trainer is having a great meet. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
• #6 WALKERS CREEK (12-1): Contender. Likely in the mix early. Barn has been sending out runners.
• #10 HOT DAYS AHEAD (10-1): Fringe Contender. Trainer's horses have been running.

Selections: 3 – 4 – 6 – 10

The Plays

Win: #3 at 4-1

Exacta: 3/4,6

Fair Grounds Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 2:15 PM CT; Maiden Special Weight $55k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

• #4 ISLAND FLOWER (5-1): Top pick. Barn has been solid. Proven competitor at this configuration.
• #7 QUICK KISS (3-1): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Looks to get a bit easier group here.
• #1 M K'S ROCKETTE (9-2): Contender. Saez and Cox team up on this one.
• #9 GERBER DAISY (12-1): Fringe Contender. Trainer's horses have been running.

Selections: 4 – 7 – 1 – 9

The Plays

Win: #4 at 5-1

Exacta: 4/7,1

Fair Grounds Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 2:45 PM CT; Maiden Special Weight $55k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 13 runners.

• #6 CHANNEL CHECK (8-1): Prime Win Player. Solid closing kick. Castillo and Diodoro team up on this one.
• #8 LADY IVA (9-2): Contender. Should still be running strong in the closing stages. Looks to get a bit easier group here.
• #3 FADED JEANS (8-1): Fringe Contender. Potential to have this pace fall just right.
• #10 AURORA SKY (7-2): Fringe Contender. Speed figs are a bit slow, but not completely hopeless against the top of the field. Should still have enough if the reserves if there in the final furlong.

Selections: 6 – 8 – 3 – 10

The Plays

Win: #6 at 5-1

Exacta: 6/8,3

Fair Grounds Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 3:15 PM CT; Maiden Special Weight $55k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

• #7 COWBOY ROY (5-1): Top pick. Races competitive with the top contenders. Barn has been solid.
• #6 TROUBLE CALLING (4-1): Major Player. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues. Good race flow for this runner.
• #10 TAPIT'S GUNNER (8-1): Contender. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race. Barn has been sending out runners.
• #4 ROYAL SEAL (8-1): Fringe Contender. Trainer's horses have been running. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 7 – 6 – 10 – 4

The Plays

Win: #7 at 5-1

Exacta: 7/6,10

Fair Grounds Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 3:45 PM CT; Maiden Special Weight $55k; 1 M Turf; Field of 14 runners.

• #13 SHUGGY (8-1): Top pick. Love the heart this one shows in a fight. Favorable class relief in this spot.
• #3 PREPPED (9-2): Major Player. Likely to take a step forward. Trainer is having a great meet.
• #12 MATCHING FUNDS (10-1): Major Player. Pedigree fits in this spot. Previous success in similar race types.
• #2 HE'S A CHARMER (10-1): Contender. May be getting a weaker field than last out.

Selections: 13 – 3 – 12 – 2

The Plays

Win: #13 at 5-1

Trifecta: 13/3,12/2,3,12

Fair Grounds Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 4:15 PM CT; Tenacious Stakes $100k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

• #2 JUST A TOUCH (7-5): Top pick. Saez puts this one in with a chance. Proven competitor at this configuration.
• #7 NOT THIS BOY (2-1): Major Player. Top connections on the circuit with Ortiz and Cowans.
• #3 WILL TAKE IT (20-1): Major Player. Potentially ready to hit a top number. Barn has been sending out runners.
• #1 KOMOREBINO OMOIDE (4-1): Major Player. Fast enough on paper to compete. Shouldn't be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.

Selections: 2 – 7 – 3 – 1

The Plays

Win: #2 at 7-5

Trifecta: 2/7,3/1,3,7

Fair Grounds Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 4:45 PM CT; Buddy Diliberto Memorial Stakes $100k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 9 runners.

• #5 EMMANUEL (4-1): Top pick. Barn has been solid. Proven competitor at this configuration.
• #7 THEISMANN (6-1): Major Player. Running well of late. Saez and Eurton team up on this one.
• #9 GIGANTE (3-1): Major Player. The 97 speed rating is among the best in the field. Barn has been sending out runners.
• #2 KUPUNA (7-2): Major Player. Ran at this level last out.

Selections: 5 – 7 – 9 – 2

The Plays

Win: #5 at 4-1

Trifecta: 5/7,9/2,7,9

Fair Grounds Picks – Race 10

Post Time: 5:15 PM CT; Untapable Stakes $100k; 1 M 70 Y Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

Best Bet of the Card

• #3 HIT PARADE (5-2): Best bet of the card. Saez puts this one in with a chance. Favorable class relief in this spot. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
• #2 HAVE FAITH (9-2): Major Player. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues. Looks fast enough off previous efforts.
• #6 MISS CALL (3-1): Major Player. Morning Line suggests this filly is all systems go for the first start. Likely in the mix early.
• #1 LUV YOUR NEIGHBOR (6-1): Fringe Contender. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 3 – 2 – 6 – 1

The Plays

Win: #3 at 1-1

Trifecta: 3/2,6/1,2,6

Pick 3 (races 10-12): #3 with #5,2,3, with #12,11,5,7

Fair Grounds Picks – Race 11

Post Time: 5:45 PM CT; Gun Runner Stakes $100k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

Longshot Play of the Day

• #5 CROWN THE BUCKEYE (5-1): Longshot play of the day. Stamina to outlast the competition. Strong early pace figs. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
• #2 CHIP HONCHO (9-2): Contender. Running well of late. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch.
• #3 LIBERTY NATIONAL (7-2): Contender. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race.
• #8 MISTER PUNCH (6-1): Contender. Shouldn't be disadvantaged by the flow of the race. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance.

Selections: 5 – 2 – 3 – 8

The Plays

Win: #5 at 5-1

Exacta Box: 5,2,3

Fair Grounds Picks – Race 12

Post Time: 6:15 PM CT; Maiden Special Weight $55k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 12 runners.

• #12 ROGUISHNESS (5-1): Top pick. Barn has been solid. Favorable class relief in this spot.
• #11 LIBERTY VALANCE (4-1): Major Player. Potentially cycling to a top performance. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
• #5 MARKET RUNNER (8-1): Major Player. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race. May be able find the right setup.
• #7 MAXIMUM EFFORT (8-1): Major Player. Trainer's horses have been running. Could be ready to hit a peak performance.

Selections: 12 – 11 – 5 – 7

The Plays

Win: #12 at 5-1

Trifecta: 12/11,5/5,7,11

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