Country Tough: A Morning Gallop at Santa Anita

Country Tough gallops and gets a bath, Santa Anita Park, 11-24-09

I followed Country Tough, a lovely chestnut son of Smart Strike, as he went out to the main track at Santa Anita for a gallop then back to trainer Howard Zucker's barn for a cool-down and bath. He is quite the looker, with his coat still showing dapples and gleaming like copper in the morning sunshine.

Country Tough, Santa Anita Park, 11-24-09

I've had my eye on Country Tough since he arrived in California from the Fair Grounds for the summer meet at Del Mar, where he hammed it up for a video in his stall.

Country Tough in his stall at Del Mar, 8-16-09

Owned by Dream Walkin Farms, Inc., a partnership that includes country music star Toby Keith and Brad Penny, starting pitcher for the San Francisco Giants, Country Tough ran second in his first California start on November 4 at Oak Tree. I look for more exciting things to come from this three-year-old!