Our Country may look toward Kentucky Derby 2020 trail

Trainer George Weaver experienced unprecedented success for his barn last spring when the 3-year-old colt Vekoma won the Blue Grass Stakes (G2) and sophomore filly Point of Honor took the Black-Eyed Susan (G2).

If a current 2-year-old of his is to go on to similar accomplishments, Our Country fits the mold as a Saratoga maiden winner exiting the Breeders’ Cup. The question Weaver will have to answer is over which surface he’ll run in 2020.

Our Country, a son of Constitution out of a Tiznow mare, won his lone race Aug. 3 going 1 1/16 miles on the Saratoga turf. Among those in his wake was Silver Prospector, who later switched to dirt and on Saturday won Churchill Downs’ Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2).

Meanwhile, Our Country did breeze once on the dirt before the Breeders’ Cup when there were concerns the colt’s resume wouldn’t qualify him for the Juvenile Turf.

“I would have contemplated running him on the dirt,” Weaver said. “We feel like his acceleration is a little better on the turf, but he’s still a green young horse.”

Ultimately, Our Country ran eighth in the Juvenile Turf. That followed finishes of third in Belmont Park’s Pilgrim (G3) and fourth in Saratoga’s With Anticipation (G3).

R. A. Hill Stable, which is involved in partnership with 2019 Kentucky Derby runner Tax, campaigns Our Country along with Gatsas Stables, which purchased him for $70,000 as a 2-year-old last May.

Given those connections, Weaver said he plans to test Our Country on the dirt after the new year; it’s the right time to find out if he’s a fit for the Derby trail, and with Weaver stabling at Florida’s Palm Beach Downs, he’ll have an array of options for a non-winner of two races.

Our Country has remained in light training since the Breeders’ Cup, while Weaver reported that Vekoma and Point of Honor are both back with him looking ahead to their 4-year-old campaigns.

“I’d imagine late winter or early spring would be the earliest we’d see them, but they’re looking good, and we’re excited about bringing them back,” he said.

Vekoma hasn’t run since finishing 12th in the Kentucky Derby, with multiple minor setbacks preventing him from continuing on this season. Point of Honor did run into the summer, following up her Grade 2 victory with a pair of Grade 1 placings in Saratoga’s Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) and Alabama Stakes (G1).