Chris Sobocinski at Delaware Park reported today that multiple stakes winner Wide Country passed away on Monday, October 9 at the farm where she enjoyed her retirement years in Middletown, Delaware. She was 25.

 Maryland-bred Horse of the Year of 1991, Tom Tanner's Wide Country proved an indomitable force her 3-year-old season, running her win streak to eight races (all stakes at Pimlico and Laurel that began in the final months of '90). During the streak, the chestnut filly overcame adversity to win the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes over a muddy track after losing a shoe; she also won the Grade 3 Pimlico Oaks by a romping eight and a half lengths. Wide Country shipped to Belmont and Meadowlands during her campaign to place in graded company.

Trained by Bob Camac, Wide Country had fulfilled the promise shown at 2 when she captured three Maryland-bred stakes on her way to state-bred championship honors. Wide Country placed three times at age 4—in the Go for Wand Stakes-G1, Barbara Fritchie Handicap-G2 and Conniver Handicap—and retired with a record of 20 wins or placings in 26 starts, for career earnings of $819,728. The filly, a daughter of Magesterial—Bazooka Babe, by Mullineaux, was bred by Diana Carlson and sold to Tanner as a 2-year-old for $50,000.

Wide Country had been living on Kevin and Jim Lamborn's farm in Middletown, Del., and she was still owned by Mrs. Barbara Lee Tanner, wife of the late Tom Tanner.