Race Day sets track record in Fayette S. (G2)

Multiple graded stakes winner Race Day wrapped his sparkling career Friday at Keeneland with a track record performance in the $200,000 Fayette S. (G2). The win was the third graded score for the 4-year-old, who finishes his career with earnings of $733,450.

Race Day, who will begin his stud duties in 2016 at Spendthrift Farm for $7,000 live foal, covered the Fayette’s 1 1/8-miles in 1:47.90, besting the existing mark by nearly a full second.

Race Day, tracking in third for six furlongs, split horses leaving the second turn and held off the late-closing Hoppertunity to win by three-quarters of a length.

“He came running. I grabbed him a little on the backstretch and sat on the turn and then pulled out at the quarter pole and he responded the right way,” said winning rider John Velazquez of the powerful gray.

Race Day finishes his career with wins in the Oaklawn H. (G2) and Razorback H. (G3), with a record of 6-1-2 in 11 starts. His 3 ¾-length win in the Oaklawn H. earned him a 109 Beyer Speed Figure and was the fastest running of the race in the past decade.

Race Day is owned by Matthew Schera and trained by Todd Pletcher. Bred in Kentucky by James Miller, Race Day is out of Rebalite, who is half-sister to millionaire and four-time grade 1 winner Lite Light.