Country Day sauntered to a one-length victory in Fair Grounds’ $75,000 Colonel Power S. on Feb. 25 to give the 5-year-old son of Speightstown his third career black type win. Speightstown is in the top 5 on the 2012 General Sire List, with nearly $1 million in progeny earnings.
Making his second start since finishing in the runner-up spot in the 2011, $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G2), Country Day had to go three wide on the turn as he stalked the pacesetter. Carried even wider into the stretch, the 8-5 favorite got the lead near the head of the lane and went on to get the 5 1/2-furlongs in 1:04.24 on a “good” turf course.
“He’s been a great horse for us. Always gives us his all,” said winning trainer Steve Margolis. “He’s had some tough beats but always ran good against really tough competition. We are real thrilled to get him back on the winning track today.
“There’s the race on Derby Day (at Churchill Downs) going five-eighths and there’s a race at Keeneland, the Shakertown. Don’t know if we’ll do both. We’ll just have to wait and see. It will be one or the other though.”
Country Day is owned by his breeders Richard, Bert and Elaine Klein. The always-consistent horse is now 7-4-2 in 19, earning $503,829. Country Day is a half-brother to Due Date, winner of the 2010 Colonel Power. Their dam Hidden Assets won the Grade 3 Shirley Jones and bankrolled nearly $300,000.
