Gunite is the first foal to race out of the Cowboy Cal stakes winner Simple Surprise, who is out of the Grade 3-placed, stakes-winning sprinter Simplify, a daughter of Pulpit.
Simple Surprise has a yearling full sister to Gunite and produced a filly by Copper Bullet in 2021.
The fifth dam, Lilac Hill, took the Cotillion Handicap when it was run at Liberty Bell (now Parx), and was half sister to G1 Gran Premio di Milano scorer Rouge Sang, three-quarter sister to Del Mar Derby winner and sire Speak John, and closely related to Stage Door Johnny, the champion 3-year-old colt of 1968 (both by Prince John, out of granddaughters of the mare Folle Nuit).
[6] Remaining at Saratoga on Labor Day Gunite captured the Grade I Hopeful Stakes with a commanding 5+3⁄4 lengths victory over Wit with High Oak finishing fourth.
[3] After his final start on November 4, 2023 in the Breeders' Cup Sprint connections of Gunite announced his retirement from racing.