Country Grammer Back With Baffert, Works at Santa Anita

Hollywood Gold Cup Stakes (G1) winner Country Grammer  is back with trainer Bob Baffert at Santa Anita Park in California and has turned in his first work in preparation for a 2022 campaign.

Owned by WinStar Farm, the 4-year-old son of Tonalist   worked Dec. 11, covering a half-mile for Baffert in :50 2/5, which was listed as the 60th fastest of 76 works at the distance.

Country Grammer has not raced since winning the May 31 Gold Cup for his first grade 1 score. A son of the Forestry  mare Arabian Song, he has won three of eight starts, including the 2020 Peter Pan Stakes (G3) for original owner and trainer, Paul Pompa Jr. and Chad Brown.

Bred by Scott Pierce and Debbie Pierce, he has earned $377,320 to date.

He was sold to WinStar for $110,000 earlier this year from the Lane's End consignment at the Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale following Pompa's death.

Country Grammer was second in the Californian Stakes (G2) and won the Gold Cup in two starts for Baffert.

After Baffert received suspensions in New York and Kentucky following 2021 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) winner Medina Spirit's two positive post-race drug tests, Country Grammer was transferred to trainer Todd Pletcher but never raced for the seven-time Eclipse Award winner.