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Practical Joke Colt Tops Texas Yearling Sale

GRAND PRAIRIE, TX – A colt by Practical Joke brought $110,000 to top Monday's single-session Texas Thoroughbred Association (TTA) Summer Yearling Sale at Lone Star Park.

By the numbers, a total of 175 yearlings sold for $3,240,000. The figures represented a decrease from 2022 when 161 sold for a record $3,416,000 in gross receipts. This term, the average was $18,542, while the median was $11,000 and 77 horses reported not sold.

Foster Bridewell, Director of Horse Sales for the TTA, said of the auction, “Three of our top five offerings were Texas-breds, so that was good to see,” he said. “This was one of our largest catalogs in the history of this sale and we had buyers from several key quadrants–Kentucky, Ocala, California and across the Lone Star State.”

A Practical Topper For Al Pike

Offered as hip 122, the dark bay was purchased by Al Pike, acting as agent. The Apr. 30 foal is out of SW Jan's Perfect Star (Imperialism), dam of UAE Jebel Ali Sprint hero Road Bloc (Street Sense). The native Texan from Palestine, and his wife Salley, relocated this past summer to Highlander Training Center, outside of Dallas. A regular on the pinhooking scene, Pike frequents a bevy of juvenile sales, including OBS March, Fasig-Tipton Midlantic and the Texas 2-Year-Old In-Training Sale.

Practical Joke colt (hip 122) | Olivia Friesen/TTA Sale

Pike said he saw this yearling as an opportunity.

“This one is for me and partners,” said Pike. “I thought he was a stunning Practical Joke, beautiful horse, and I think he's going to grow to be really special. It's just the Practical Joke that sold it and he had some pedigree too. I just thought he was a beautiful colt. This will be one to pinhook for the spring and we'll probably look to go to OBS March.”

Bred by Michael and Linda Mazoch of Texas, the colt was consigned by Scott Mallory, agent.

“He came from Buena Madera and they always do an excellent job in preparing the horses for the sale,” Mallory said. “And it makes it a whole lot easier when you get to the sale because they are well presented. With the recent success of Practical Joke, we kind of thought he'd be fairly popular with the sale. He vetted good, handled himself well up there. And with Texas coming up with the $40,000 maiden special weights, we knew that would add an extra bid or two. I didn't quite think he'd bring $110,000, but I'm happy about it. We thought he'd sell well–I thought he'd sell for $70,000 or $80,000, but $110,000 is excellent.”

Vekoma Colt Takes Home Silver

Late in the session, hip 260, a chestnut colt by Vekoma, brought $90,000 from pinhooker David Scanlon. Out of Winning Saga (Tale of the Cat), the May 12 foal was raised and prepped at Elm Tree Farm in Kentucky and consigned by agent Scott Mallory, who also consigned the topper.

“This colt just showed well the whole time, he had a great disposition, he just looks like he is going to turn into a really beautiful 2-year-old and he was bred by Dr. Fred Willis from Louisiana,” said Mallory.

Competitive Edge Colt Reminds Asmussen of Ryvit

The third highest-priced yearling of the session was taken home by Steve Asmussen's KDE Equine for $85,000. Hip 24, consigned by Highlander Training, was bred by Valor Farm in Pilot Point, Texas.

Ryvit schooling at Saratoga with Erik Asmussen up | Sarah Andrew

The Feb. 16 foal is the first foal out of unraced Better Than Mo (Uncle Mo), who counts MSW More Than Most (Indygo Mountain), MSW Worldventurer (Wimbledon) and GIII Miss Preakness S. scorer Red Ghost (Ghostzapper) as half-siblings. His third dam MGISP Alysbelle (Alydar) is a full-sister to Horse of the Year Alysheba.

Asmussen indicated Monday's purchase was prompted by another Texas sale graduate, GIII Chick Lang S. victor Ryvit (Competitive Edge).

“A couple of years ago, I got Ryvit out of this sale,” explained the Hall of Famer. “I think that there are blue collar horses and they have to earn their keep. And it had everything to do that he reminded me of Ryvit. Just a very sturdy and athletic-looking horse and, hopefully, we can create a similar circumstance.”

On behalf of his client Whispering Oaks, Asmussen also purchased hip 110, a Louisiana-bred colt by Spun to Run out of SP Hilarious Brown (Big Brown) for $80,000, in addition to a dark bay filly by Competitive Edge out of Conquest Bebop (Scat Daddy) (hip 51), who also brought $80,000.

Complete sales results can be found here.

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Ryvit Takes Chick Lang, Favored Havnameltdown Euthanized

The day's graded stakes action at Pimlico got off inauspicious start with the injury and subsequent euthanasia of 4-5 choice Havnameltdown (Uncaptured) in the GIII Chick Lang S. Havnameltdown appeared flat-footed at the start but sped into contention as 5-1 Ryvit (Competitive Edge) assumed the helm through a :22.23 opening quarter. Exiting the far turn, the favorite took a bad step, unseating jockey Luis Saez and leaving the frontrunner in the clear as 5-2 second choice Super Chow (Lord Nelson) found himself in a very wide second. Several lengths ahead as Super Chow began his backward retreat straightening for home, the Steve Asmussen trainee remained clear of the closing Prince of Jericho (Munnings). Frosted Departure (Frosted) was a distant third.

This season's GII San Vincente S. and GIII Bob Hope S. winner was euthanized, while jockey Luis Saez was taken to Sinai Hospital in Baltimore for further evaluation. He was stable and conscious upon his departure from the track.

Ryvit's regular rider, Steve Asmussen's son Keith, was unable to ride the colt Saturday due to injury. When asked if the winb was bitterwseet, the elder Asmussen said, “No. It's great that the horse won and proved himself. I think it's unfortunate that Keith broke his finger on Thursday. I'm proud of him for making the decision of putting the horse in front of himself. I think it says a lot and proves who he is. Somehow, I think he'll have plenty of my support when he comes back.”

According to winning rider Tyler Gaffalione, “That was very unfortunate and hopefully, Luis [Saez] is okay. We were kind of heads up, and he just kind of disappeared. I looked back and I saw Luis coming off the side. Hopefully, nothing serious. I feel terrible Keith [Asmussen] wasn't able to ride him [Ryvit] today. He's a great young kid and an up-and-coming rider, so he'll get plenty of those.”

As for what's next, Asmussen added, “Coming off of here is everything we've wanted to see. Obviously the sprint stakes at Saratoga are lucrative and what we will aim for next.”

On the board in both starts at two, including a third in Churchill's Kentucky Juvenile S. last spring, Ryvit was sixth going six furlongs against Oaklawn maidens in February before breaking through over that track and trip Mar. 25. Back on top facing first level allowance company Apr. 14, he made it three straight with a score over GIII Sanford S. winner Mo Strike (Uncle Mo) in the Apr. 29 Bachelor S.

“The key to him has been getting away from the gates,” explained Asmussen. “Keith working him in the mornings and getting him to break is what turned him around. That's the only thing I said to Tyler, 'If you can get him to jump well from the gates, you'll like how he responds.' And that his what he did.”

Pedigree Notes:
Ryvit is the fifth graded winner for the Texas-based sire Competitive Edge (Super Saver). A $70,000 purchase out of the Texas Mixed August sale is the first foal to race out of the winless She Is Bedazzling, a $140,000 Fasig-Tipton October yearling purchase. She produced a colt by Collected last season.

Havnameltdown Update from 1/ST racing:
In response to Havnameltdown's condition following the race, 1/ST racing issued a press release: “During the Chick Lang Stakes at Pimlico, the number one horse, Havnameltdown, sustained an injury and immediately received on-track medical attention from an expert team of veterinarians, led by Dr. Dionne Benson. During the subsequent evaluation, she observed a non-operable left fore fetlock injury.”

“Due to the severity and prognosis of the injury, Dr. Benson and her counterparts made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize Havnameltdown.”

“The loss of Havnameltdown will be felt across the entire horse racing community, and everyone at the Maryland Jockey Club and 1/ST Racing extends our heartfelt condolences to Havnameltdown's connections.”

“Over the past year, 1/ST Racing has worked tirelessly to implement numerous industry-leading reforms, including additional medication restrictions and new operational requirements, to enhance the existing health and safety measures with the intent of providing the safest racing environment possible. In addition, 1/ST racing and the Maryland Jockey Club observe the most stringent medication practices and restrictions, pre- and post-race testing protocols, equine security and surveillance measures, veterinary exams, injury management protocols and racing surface testing.”

“These measures are re-evaluated and expanded every year to ensure our athletes are fit to compete safely in any race associated with 1/ST Racing.”
Saturday, Pimlico
CHICK LANG S. PRESENTED BY CASE TRACTOR-GIII, $200,000, Pimlico, 5-20, 3yo, 6f, 1:09.33, ft.
1–RYVIT, 124, c, 3, by Competitive Edge
              1st Dam: She Is Bedazzling, by Medaglia d'Oro
              2nd Dam: Melissa Jo, by Fusaichi Pegasus
              3rd Dam: Takeaway, by Fly So Free
   1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($70,000 Ylg '21 TTAYHR).
O-L. William and Corinne Heiligbrodt; B-Curt Leake (KY);
T-Steven M. Asmussen; J-Tyler Gaffalione. $120,000. Lifetime
Record: 7-4-1-1, $348,068. Werk Nick Rating: C.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Prince of Jericho, 120, c, 3, Munnings–Golden Review, by
Medaglia d'Oro. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($50,000 Ylg '21
FTKJUL; $85,000 Ylg '21 FTKOCT). O-Michael Dubb and Morris
Bailey; B-Edward Seltzer (KY); T-Brittany T. Russell. $40,000.
3–Frosted Departure, 124, c, 3, Frosted–Undeterred, by More
Than Ready. ($50,000 Wlg '20 KEENOV; $100,000 Ylg '21
KEESEP). O-C and H Diamond Racing, LLC; B-Alastar
Thoroughbred Company, LLC (KY); T-Kenneth G. McPeek.
$20,000.
Margins: 1 3/4, 4, 3/4. Odds: 5.40, 6.20, 5.80.
Also Ran: Prove Right, Super Chow, Bristol Channel, Havnameltdown.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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2023 Mating Plans, Presented By Spendthrift: Pin Oak

With the 2023 season upon us, the TDN staff is once again sitting down with leading breeders to find out what stallions they have chosen for their mares, and why. Dana and Jim Bernhard purchased Pin Oak Stud just outside of Versailles, Kentucky late last year, inaugurating a new chapter in its storied history. Here is what Farm Manager Jeff Danford had to say about their broodmare band for 2023.

BROADWAY LADY (m, 6, Constitution–Livi Makenzie) booked to Munnings
This mare, purchased late last year, is a very attractive daughter of Constitution who happens to be a half-sister to MGSW Tawny Port (Pioneerof the Nile). She is from the family of Surf Cat, and the mare will visit Munnings this year. This mating has an interesting breeding connection to Holy Bull.

COMPETITVE SPEED (m, 5, Competitive Edge–Shopped Out) booked to Justify
A MGSP daughter of Competitive Edge, who was third in the GII Gulfstream Park Oaks and GII Davona Dale S. with earnings of $190,000. She just foaled a nice colt by the exciting young stallion Maxfield and will visit Justify this year.

CORE VALUES (m, 5, Honor Code–Sweet Awakening) booked to Curlin
This young daughter of Honor Code has all the breeding in the world to be a quality broodmare sire. She's a half-sister to MGSW Are You Kidding Me (Run Away and Hide), and was a SW under trainer Vicki Oliver with earnings of $222,000. We plan to have her visit Curlin this year, and this is a cross that has already produced MGISW Malathaat and MGISW Nest.

DIAMOND SPARKLES (m, 6, War Front–Diamondsandrubies) booked to Uncle Mo
A very attractive daughter of War Front from a deep family that has produced the likes of G1SW Quarter Moon (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) and her full-sister, G1SW Yesterday (Ire), is out of Diamondsandrubies. She who won the G1 Sea The Stars Pretty Polly S. at The Curragh, and is currently in foal to Quality Road. Our plan is to have her visit Uncle Mo this year.

GLITTER AND GOLD (m, 8, Bodemeister–Expo Gold) booked to Essential Quality
A winning daughter of Expo Gold, who produced the Eclipse Champion 3-Year-Old Filly Swiss Skydiver. We currently have a nice yearling filly called Cajun Curls (Curlin). Glitter and Gold is in foal to Tapit and will visit the exciting young stallion Essential Quality here in 2023.

MIND OUT (m, 6, Tapit–Kid Majic) booked to Curlin
A big and strong daughter of Tapit from the family of GISW J P's Gusto and MGISW Letruska. She is half-sister to GSW Miss Mischief, who won the Sovereign Award in 2015 for Champion Female Sprinter. The mare is currently in foal to Into Mischief, and we know that are a pair of GSW underneath the first dam by him. So, it is safe to say that this family has an affinity for Spendthrift's number one. The mare will visit Curlin this year.

QUERELLE (m, 7, Violence–Orbital Affair) booked to Tapit
A stunning GSP daughter of Violence, hails from the family of the phenomenal Seattle Meteor. Currently in foal to Constitution, she will go back to Tapit this year.

SWEET SAMI D (m, 7, First Samurai–Treaty of Kadesh) booked to Flightline
This strapping daughter of First Samurai was GSP with earnings of over $250,000. She is currently in foal to the stallion of the moment, Gun Runner. On a very similar mating that has produced some of his best runners from in-breeding to Storm Cat, you cannot argue with the success of MGISW Echo Zulu and GISW Gunite. She will visit newly-minted Horse of the Year Flightline this coming season. It's very exciting to be a part of his first book. And, you can only imagine what that is going to look like.

Interested in sharing your own mating plans? Email garyking@thetdn.com.

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Miles Ahead Voted Claiming Crown Horse of the Year

Miles Ahead (g, 5, Competitive Edge–Jennie R., by Awesome Again), winner of last term's GIII Smile Sprint Invitational S. and the Claiming Crown Rapid Transit, has been named the 2021 Claiming Crown Horse of the Year. The honor is voted on by the National HBPA's Industry Awards Committee, chaired by Todd Mostoller from the Pennsylvania HBPA.

Miles Ahead will be recognized at the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) annual awards dinner on Sept. 10. The Claiming Crown–designed to give the blue-collar workhorses their own championship day–is sponsored by the National Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association, TOBA and the host track.

Miles Ahead was purchased in 2019 for $175,000 at the OBS March 2-year-old in training sale by trainer Eddie Plesa, Jr. and the ownership partnership of David Melin, Leon Ellman and the trainer's wife, Laurie. After winning the Gulfstream Park Sprint S. in February, they accepted an offer to sell the gelding, who now races for Jay Em Ess Stable and is trained by Paul McGee. Miles Ahead most recently finished second by a neck to GI Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Aloha West in the Kelly's Landing S.

Eric Hamelback, NHBPA CEO, said Miles Ahead epitomizes what the Claiming Crown and the Claiming Crown Horse of the Year were created to recognize.

“The committee zeroed in on Miles Ahead and felt as if the horse and the connections were indeed the horse to be recognized for their accomplishments,” Hamelback said. “We are pleased that we can recognize and award a trophy to Miles Ahead at this year's TOBA awards ceremony.”

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