Gun Runner edges Forevamo and Mo Tom in Risen Star Stakes

NEW ORLEANS (AP) Gun Runner took the lead entering the final stretch and held off challenges from Forevamo and Mo Tom to win the $400,000 Grade II Risen Star Stakes at the Fair Grounds Race Course on Saturday.

Trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Florent Geroux, Gun Runner beat 40-1 long-shot Forevamo by a half-length in the prep race for Kentucky Derby hopefuls.

Gun Runner ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.94 and paid $12.20, $7.00 and $4.80. Forevamo returned $33.80 and $12.20, and Mo Tom paid $3 to show.

Mo Tom, the winner of the Lecomte Stakes in January, was last out of the gate and its late charge was slowed on the home stretch by a collision with Bistraya that cut one of his legs. He's owned by Gayle Benson, the wife of New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson

Airoforce, the 7-5 favorite, settled near the back of the field and never mounted a challenge. He finished 10th.