Conrad Bandoroff | Horse Racing Free Tips

Keeneland September Sale Kicks Off Monday

LEXINGTON, KY–The Keeneland September Yearling Sale starts its 11-day run Monday with the first of two Book 1 sessions, beginning at 1 p.m. The five-book catalogue offers a total of 4,032 yearlings by a variety of stallions, such as Triple Crown heroes American Pharoah and Justify; the red-hot Into Mischief; perennial leading sire Tapit; stalwarts like Medaglia d'Oro, War Front and Candy Ride (Arg); and top freshman sire Gun Runner.

“I think when you get this volume of horses and there are a lot of really nice horses, there is opportunity for the buyers,” said Taylor Made's Mark Taylor. “I think buyers need to realize there are opportunities to find really good horses at good prices from Book 1 all the way to the end of the sale. There is quality from start to finish, maybe even more now than in recent memory.”

The barns were buzzing with activity over the weekend as buyers made their way through Book 1 and 2 offerings. Todd Pletcher, Steve Asmussen, Bob Baffert and Jonathan Thomas were among the trainers seen inspecting yearlings. Of course, bloodstock agents could be seen left and right, such as Steve Young, Jacob West, Donato Lanni, Kerri Radcliffe, Justin Casse, China Horse Club's Michael Wallace and Mike Ryan. The teams from Coolmore, WinStar, Spendthrift and Summer Wind Farm were spotted on the grounds checking on their offerings as well as shopping for new stock. Pinhookers were also out in full force, such as Niall Brennan, Steve Venosa, Ciaran Dunne, Lynne Boutte, Randy Hartley and Brandon and Ali Rice.

“We are very optimistic. The traffic is very good,” said Tony Lacy, Keeneland's Vice President of Sales. “The reception of the quality of horses has been excellent. There is a good, diverse group of horses for a varied marketplace, whether it is domestic or international. It is great to see so many international participants here, even in a challenging travel year. Credit applications are coming in at a higher rate than in recent years. I think the outlook is quite promising. We always have to be cautious about what the market will be at the end of the day, but, quite honestly, at this point the indicators are very good.”

The yearling market was strong all the way through at the three previous major yearling sales this year–Fasig Tipton's July, Saratoga Select and New York-Bred sales–and sellers are confident that trend will continue at Keeneland.

“The first three sales of the year are really three domestic sales,” said Denali Stud's Conrad Bandoroff. “The domestic market has been very strong with a lot of diverse competition across the board. There has been a strong level of interest and activity in the middle market as well as the top. That will carry over. I know Keeneland has been working very hard to ensure that all of the international buyers and agents will be able to come in and be here for the sale. You have to expect we will have a strong market in September and see more of what we have seen in the first three yearling sales.”

The Keeneland team worked diligently with local and national government agencies last year to bring international buyers in for the sale despite travel restrictions and bans across the globe. The sales company brought in as many foreign buyers as possible and others relied on their U.S.-based teams or took advantage of the phone or online bidding.

Lacy said this year it was even more difficult to acquire travel waivers for European buyers. However, Japanese agents had no issue entering the U.S. as their country only requires a negative COVID-19 test for travel back and forth to America, according to Lacy.

“We've got a number of buyers here from England and Ireland and some from France,” Lacy said. “We've had to go through different procedures this year. Last year, we worked with the Department of Homeland Security and this year we had to go through the State Department. Waivers had to be processed. Unfortunately, with Afghanistan, the State Department has been overloaded and it has pushed some of our applicants further down the line. But, we have been persistent and had a lot of help from our local representatives in [Washington] D.C. We have been able to get a number of people in [to the U.S.] and some of the waivers from last year were still current, so buyers were able to travel on those as well. We would love to have gotten more people in, but under present circumstances, it has been very restrictive. It was a lot more difficult this year than last year. But, we've got a good number of people here, which is very positive.”

In 2020, Keeneland put a number of protocols in place to protect against the spread of COVID-19. Only buyers and sellers were allowed to attend and had to submit a recent negative COVID-19 test to be approved for a pass. Capacity inside the pavilion was limited to 40% and all attendees were required to wear face masks on the grounds. The auction house also added online and phone bidding and an additional bidding spot in the back show ring. With the rise of vaccinations, the protocols will not be quite as strict this year, but Keeneland is still doing its best to provide a safe environment for all those in attendance.

“The bidding in the back show ring was last year and we don't have it this year,” Lacy said. “We are encouraging people to go into the pavilion more. There have been less people in the pavilion over the past few years and there is plenty of room for spacing in there. It is a more comfortable environment with less chance of congregating. I think out in the back ring can certainly be a congested area at times. We also have internet and phone bidding, so there are a lot of different ways people can partake in the sale.”

The 2020 September Sale went on as scheduled despite many of the year's previous auctions being canceled or postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It ran back-to-back with the Fasig-Tipton Yearling Showcase, which was a combination of that auction house's July, Saratoga and New York-Bred Sales held across town.

After a record-setting 2019 renewal of KEESEP, the economic and travel impacts of the virus were seen at the 2020 auction, but it still held its own. A total of 2,481 yearlings grossed $248,978,700 with 15 of them bringing seven figures. The average was $100,354 and the median was $37,000. The sale was topped by a $2-million Tapit colt out of GISW Tara's Tango (Unbridled's Song)

“I would certainly expect it to be more of a normal year,” said Lacy. “Again, 2019 was a very strong year, so I think it would be unfair to compare 2020 completely with 2019. But, in comparison to last year, I think it will be a more stable year in 2021, especially in Books 1 and 2. I feel there is more activity. People are learning to live with COVID in certain ways. We have tried to create a lot of spaces around the grounds where people can social distance. We have created an environment that allows people to be as safe as possible and remain as close to normal as possible.”

Keeneland has continued to adjust the sale format over the years. In 2019, Book 1 was three days and it was cut down to two for 2020. It will be two days once again for 2021, but with a new feature. Any horse that RNAs during the first session can be sent back through the ring again at the conclusion of day two's 200-horse session. A total of 399 horses are catalogued in Book 1, which will be followed by a two-day Book 2 comprised of 698 yearlings. The lone dark day of the auction follows Book 2 on Friday, Sept. 17. Book 3 picks up Sept. 18 and the sale runs straight through Sept. 24.

“We wanted a consistent format,” Lacy said. “That is one thing that everybody wants. We originally wanted a three-day Book 1 this year, but as the entries came in it became more apparent that we were better suited to having a two-day Book 1 and a two-day Book 2. So, we had to pivot. With the cooperation of the CBA and a lot of our breeders and clients, we were able to make a two-day Book 1 very viable. You want it to be representative of Book 1 horses and have good, solid quality with plenty of diversity.”

He continued, “Having been able to have almost 1,100 horses on the grounds at one time, it gives buyers the opportunity to inspect a large number of horses over four days. With the new format, they are able to get two days of showing for Book 3. You have a lot of good Book 3 horses as well, and this way they are not getting overlooked or rushed. It worked out logistically quite well and was well received by both buyers and sellers. Being able to showcase each individual in the proper manner is very important. If this format works well, it may be something we consider in the future.”

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Pin Oak Offerings at Fasig-Tipton Sunday

An offering of 24 broodmares, weanlings and horses in training from Josephine Abercrombie's Pin Oak Stud will be on offer through the Denali Stud consignment at Fasig-Tipton Sunday evening, with bidding slated to begin at 6 p.m.

“This sale provides people with an opportunity to access these wonderful families that have been cultivated and expertly maintained through Mrs. Abercrombie and Clifford Barry,” said Denali's Conrad Bandoroff. “You look through the catalogue, you have a lot of mares from good Pin Oak families and one of the main common denominators is that a lot of these mares could really run. Several are multiple graded stakes winners or graded stakes performers and graded stakes producers. Some of them have had some foals and may have a little age on them. But they could run and I think there is a lot of blue skies left with a lot of these offerings.”

Among the highlights of the offerings is Overheard (Macho Uno–Whisper to Me, by Thunder Gulch) (hip 2), who won the 2014 GII Dance Smartly S. and 2013 GIII Pin Oak Valley View S. She sells in foal to multiple Grade I winner McKinzie.

“She's really a testament to the Pin Oak program,” Bandoroff said of the 11-year-old mare. “She was sound and hard-knocking and she's in foal to a very exciting freshman stallion in McKinzie. This is a mare who would be a good addition to anyone's breeding program.”

Overheard's half-sister Tell All (Broken Vow) will be offered as hip 8 and the 9-year-old mare is in foal to red-hot freshman sire Gun Runner.

“Gun Runner needs no introduction,” Bandoroff said. “So she's a half-sister to a multiple graded stakes winner from a great Pin Oak family and she's in foal to a freshman-sire phenomenon who couldn't have made a hotter start to stud. She's a young mare with a lot of potential and another one who could fit anyone's program.”

Gold Medal Dancer (Medaglia d'Oro–Bachata, by Kingmambo), winner of the 2015 GII Azeri S., will be offered as hip 23. Third in the 2015 GI Apple Blossom H. and GI La Troienne S., the 11-year-old mare is in foal to Munnings.

“She is another mare who could really run,” Bandoroff said. “She is a Grade II winner and multiple Grade I placed and she earned over $600,000. She is a young mare and a very commercial prospect for any breeder.”

Bandoroff continued, “Medaglia d'Oro is certainly starting to establish himself as an emerging broodmare sire and he will have plenty of opportunity moving forward. And this mare is in foal to Munnings, who has had an unbelievable year.

Bandoroff said the Pin Oak offerings are generating plenty of interest ahead of Sunday's auction at Fasig-Tipton.

“The interest has been strong because the Pin Oak program and the Pin Oak brand is something that everyone respects,” Bandoroff said. “We have been very fortunate to work with Pin Oak for as long as we have and when you are selling a horse that is bred by Pin Oak and people ask where the horse was raised, it's something that we take great pride in, letting people know that this horse was raised by Clifford Barry at Pin Oak Stud. That means something to people. And that is something that generates interest because everyone has a great respect for Mrs. Abercrombie and Pin Oak and for Clifford Barry.”

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Buyers, Sellers, Sales Companies Talk COVID-19 and the Fall Sales

The daily number of U.S. deaths from the Covid-19 virus neared 1,000 per day last week, the highest level the country has seen since February. The seven-day moving average of Covid-19 cases reported by the CDC, is at 149,263, and continues to rise.

There are currently four variants circulating in the United States; Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Gamma, with Delta making up over 99% of all cases.

It seems like every day, someone we know in racing has contracted Covid, from trainer Todd Pletcher to the TDN's own Christina Bossinakis, and many of the people surveyed below. At no time is the demand to travel and circulate with others for our jobs in racing greater than it is for the fall sales period.

The TDN talked to a number of buyers and consignors about how they feel about traveling to the sales, what precautions they'll take, and what sales companies can do to make them feel safe.

We start off our conversation with Keeneland's President and CEO Shannon Arvin, who talked about sales protocols.

Shannon Arvin
First and foremost, the health and safety of our clients, staff and equine stock is Keeneland's primary focus. COVID-19 has presented us with many challenges these past 18 months, but by working together, we have successfully navigated a constantly changing world to create a stable and steady market. And I believe we will do that again this fall sales and racing season.
Looking ahead to the September Yearling Sale, Keeneland will follow the guidance of health and government experts to create the safest environment possible for our sales participants. And just like last year, we ask for the continued support and cooperation of our customers and their staffs.

Shannon Arvin | Keeneland photo

We strongly encourage those who have not yet been vaccinated to do so. Vaccination offers the best protection possible from COVID-19.

Most of us are extremely aware of the risk presented by COVID-19 and take the proper precautions where necessary.

At Keeneland, we have reinstated a mask mandate for all employees, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, while working indoors. Our unvaccinated employees are required to be tested weekly.

Consistent with current CDC guidelines, we strongly recommend that all sales participants wear a mask when indoors. This is an added layer of defense that keeps you and those you come in contact with safe.

Our facilities at Keeneland will undergo a deep cleaning following each sales session, and we've located hand sanitizing stations throughout the Sales Pavilion and grounds.

We also will continue to offer online bidding and phone bidding for buyers unable to attend the September Sale in person.

The Keeneland team looks forward to welcoming our friends and customers from around the world to Central Kentucky this fall. A silver lining of the pandemic is the resiliency and optimism of horsemen that always seem to carry the industry through challenging times. We are confident the market will continue to be buoyed by enthusiasm at the sales and a keen passion for racing.

Price Bell, Mill Ridge
I'm so glad you all are doing this story on the vaccine and protocols. I think it's important. Considering that last year Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton conducted multiple sales, and quite frankly kept our industry going, I know we can stay safe through this sales season as well. I think the key is keeping activity inside limited and being respectful of people and the variant.

Price Bell | Mill Ridge photo

I'm vaccinated, and look forward to the booster. I will wear a mask indoors and in the back ring, where I hope it is crowded. I do feel comfortable going because I thought they did a phenomenal job last year. They created a wonderful environment to conduct business utilizing so much of their outdoor space and I would expect they do something similar this year. I think we have learned from our friends who got sick in Saratoga that the vaccine is not bulletproof and the variant is real.

As for our team, we have worked hard to make everyone aware of the benefits of the vaccine and nearly every team member has been vaccinated. We will provide masks to co-workers and opportunities for us to not gather in the tack/warm rooms.

Liz Crow, BSW Bloodstock
I will feel comfortable but I will also be a little hesitant because I have a 6-month-old baby who is not vaccinated. My concern is always how can I keep her safe. For that reason, I will be a little nervous. I will be wearing a mask and will be careful. I will probably only wear the mask when I am inside. When I look at horses, I generally am not super close to a lot of people except for my team. They are all fully vaccinated, which makes me feel safer.

As for protocols, that's above my paygrade so far as all the thought that has to go into that. I do think there should be a mask mandate for inside. That's probably the right thing to do.

Justin Casse
I won't mind going. I've gotten my vaccinations. I had Covid and I got it when I was in Newmarket last year for the yearling sales. Covid changed my life in regards to the amount of traveling I want to do. To be honest with you, my time at horse sales going forward is going to be less than usual. In regards to fear of getting the disease, that's not on my mind. But so far a what it has done to me and my values in life, it's made me step back and look at what might be more important. I want to spend more time enjoying life and my family.

I won't wear a mask unless prompted and told to do so.

I know it's a pain in the butt, but I do feel that proof of vaccination is nice and if not proof of vaccination then you should have to show that you have tested negative. It should be one of the two. I went to the Grateful Dead concert in Saratoga last week and to get into the area of the pit you had to show that you had been vaccinated. To get into the concert, you had to have a negative test or the vaccination. That's like 20,000 people in an outdoor setting and they did their best to make sure that we were at event that would not turn into a super spreader event.

Jon Green | Courtesy DJ Stables

Jon Green, General Manager, DJ Stables
I personally attended the Saratoga sale and was surprised more people were not wearing masks, especially inside the sales pavilion. The number of people who caught some type of illness directly stemming from the sales and/or races was not surprising in my mind–COVID in particular is just that contagious. Since my parents are older, and more susceptible to the negative consequences of any virus, we have opted not to attend the September Sales. Like last year, we have assembled a great team of short listers, trainers and veterinarians to provide us with the information required to make our decisions from afar. Keeneland has done an outstanding job of establishing and improving their digital platform, and we have the utmost confidence bidding on their site. Hopefully the CDC figures will improve over the coming weeks so we can return to Kentucky in November.

J.R. Boyd
I feel very comfortable because I had COVID and I have the antibodies and according to the doctors the antibodies last up to 90 days. I got it at the very end of July. The doctors and nurses told me that 99% of the people in the hospital were not vaccinated and I was not vaccinated either. I definitely regret not getting vaccinated. My wife had it about six months before I did and I was around her the whole time and I never caught it. It's not that I was against the vaccination. I just thought I didn't need it. That was a mistake.

I worry that there's not a lot anyone can do. If you're going to get it you're going to get it. I won't say that I won't go inside the pavilion, but I'm going to try to keep my distance from other people. Everyone should definitely have the Germ-X sanitizer in their pockets and should keep their distance when they can. Having said that, I would feel more comfortable if everyone were vaccinated.

I don't plan on wearing a mask. That's because every doctor has told me I have full-blown antibodies and for 90 days I cannot get COVID and I cannot carry it. I don't feel like I can receive it or give it to anyone. If they want me to wear a mask in certain areas, I will not mind. I'm not against masks by any means.

Doug Cauthen
I feel comfortable going to the sale. I will take precautions like trying to keep my distance from others. Thankfully, most of it takes place outdoors. I won't be going inside the pavilion unless people are masked.

Masking indoors is a no-brainer. We've seen how well that woks and it especially works when everybody does it. I'll definitely wear a mask indoors. When I'm out looking at horses I'll probably have one around my neck and if somebody comes up to me I'll pull it up and talk to them. Thankfully, I am vaccinated. I know I can still get COVID, but my preference is obviously to not get sick.

Meg Levy, Bluewater Sales
Mike and I actually just got over Covid. We both had been vaccinated. We were in Saratoga and the Delta variant was going around, we got it and we're over it and we've been re-vaccinated. Personally, I will feel comfortable.

Meg LEvy | Bluewater Sales

I just assumed they were going to go back to protocols similar to what they did last fall when they had badges and temperature checks. That seemed to be easy and seemed to go well.

I will wear a mask when I am near people. I think that's only fair the best way to keep others safe. I'm not worried about myself, but it's kind to do the right thing when it comes to others.

Pete Bradley
I feel comfortable going because I have been vaccinated. At this point, life is going on in the world. Going to the sale wouldn't bother me any more than going to a restaurant. I wear masks indoors and usually outdoors I don't.

I see no reason not to wear masks, especially in indoor situations. That's me personally. Outdoors, I don't think it really helps. I don't know how much a mask helps, but it certainly can't hurt.

Craig Bandoroff, Denali Stud
I feel comfortable going. I am vaccinated and if I can get the booster before the sale I will. On protocols, that's a tricky one. What I have been seeing at various places is that when you go inside you have to wear a mask. I don't think that's unreasonable. If you're going to be inside the pavilion, perhaps you should have to wear a mask, that is unless things start to change.

I don't think I will wear a mask outside. But I am 66 and in a more vulnerable group, so I probably will wear a mask inside. I understand it's hard to get into the country and the Japanese have either had a hard time coming or are reluctant to come. They are a big part of our market. It will be disconcerting if they don't or can't come.

Conrad Bandoroff, Denali Stud
We're doing some simple things that we started last year. We made some changes that we thought would help. As far as protecting our staff, most of our staff have been vaccinated. There's going to be one person responsible for taking down someone's card and rather than have a buyer or agent fill out a card there will be somebody there to do that. That way you'll have fewer touch points. Most likely, we will not be requiring our staff to wear masks, but we will have masks available for our crew if they chose to wear one. Our feeling is that we are outside.

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Lively Bidding As Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Returns

By Jessica Martini & Christie DeBernardis

The 100th anniversary of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Selected Yearlings Sale, delayed a year due to the global pandemic, kicked off with a lively session of trade at the Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion Monday evening.

“It was a very solid opening session of the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “It was certainly a very healthy market. It was very similar and reminiscent of the 2019 marketplace. Overall, we are off to a very good start.”

A colt by Uncle Mo brought the session's top price when selling for $1.6 million to Jacob West, bidding on behalf of Robert and Lawana Low. The yearling was consigned by Stone Farm for breeder Bobby Flay. The seven-figure colt was one of 13 yearlings to sell for $500,000 or more during the session and was at the head of a deep buying bench. The session's top 10 lots were purchased by 10 different buyers, sold by seven different consignors and were by seven different stallions.

“There was a very diverse buying group,” Browning said. “What is probably the most encouraging sign tonight is the wide bench of buyers and bidders throughout the evening. Solid would be the best description. It provides a lot of confidence for tomorrow night and moving forward throughout the yearling sales season.”

The first crop of Triple Crown winner Justify accounted for two of the top 10 lots, while freshman sire Gun Runner, off to a fast start on the racetrack with two graded stakes winners over the weekend, also had two yearlings in the top 10.

The boutique Saratoga sale annually offers the creme of the American yearling crop and Monday's results show that top market remains competitive.

“Quality sells and this is a quality sale,” said bloodstock agent Jacob West. “Fasig-Tipton did an incredible job getting these horses here and you can see they are getting good prices.”

During Monday's opening session, 70 horses were reported as sold for gross receipts of $25,280,000. The average was $361,143, while the median price was $300,000. During the first day of trade at the 2019 sale, 61 horses sold for $22,775,000, for an average of $373,361 and a median of $315,000.

The Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale concludes Tuesday with a session beginning at 6:30 p.m.

“There are lots of good horses to sell tomorrow,” Browning said. “I am confident and pleased, but we still have another night's work to do.”

Dame Dorothy Continues to Reward Flay

Dame Dorothy (Bernardini) has been the horse of a lifetime for celebrity chef Bobby Flay in more ways than one. Named after his late mother, the bay won five stakes, including the GI Humana Distaff, and has been just as successful in the breeding shed. Her latest achievement for Flay came at Fasig Monday when her yearling colt by Uncle Mo (Hip 73) summoned $1.6 million from bloodstock agent Jacob West, who was acting on behalf of Robert and Lawana Low.

“She is named after my mom who passed away three years ago,” Flay said. “Dame Dorothy was my best racehorse ever and it seems she is passing on her talent to her progeny. Jacob has been an amazing supporter. I am thrilled. I know he is going to be in great hands.”

Flay has enjoyed plenty of success at Saratoga. At the most recent renewal two years ago, a Curlin colt out of his GSW America (A.P. Indy) was the co-topper at this sale, bringing

$1.5-million. That colt is now known as First Captain and captured his first three starts, including the GIII Dwyer S.

“This is my Super Bowl,” Flay said. “I want to sell a horse here every year. Two years ago, we sold First Captain here out of America and he has done really well. It is one of those things where if you have patience and you breed at the highest level, in terms of the best families and sires, it can really pay off. I always say the blood shows up at some point and these mares have proven to do that.”

The Lows also campaign Dame Dorothy's first foal, GSW Spice is Nice (Curlin), who was a $1.05-million Keeneland September purchase. The mare's second foal, the unraced 2-year-old colt Principe d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro) was purchased by Juddmonte, Bridlewood and Winchell Thoroughbreds for $650,000 at KEESEP and is currently in training with Todd Pletcher. Flay offered Dame Dorothy with the Uncle Mo colt in utero at Keeneland November in 2019, but elected to take her home after bidding reached $3.15 million. Hip 73 will eventually join his siblings in the barn of the new Hall of Famer, who trained both the sire and the dam.

“I thought he was obviously a standout,” said West. “We own Spice is Nice. We love her. We love the family. I had seen this horse about six months ago out at Stone [Farm], so the second we saw he was in the catalogue we turned down the page on him. He is a May foal so he has a lot more growing to do, but we hope he fills out into his frame. We love his sister and think she has a bright future. We are hopeful that we just bought a good one.”

As for the price, West said, “We knew we would have to go to war for him. He is by Uncle Mo, who is an incredible stallion, and out of a Grade I-winning mare on the dirt, who was quite fast and is a proven producer with Spice is Nice. Todd has the 2-year-old Medaglia out of the mare and he likes him. The mare is throwing runners, so we are happy to get him. Hopefully we will see him up here winning a big Grade I race. I am going to tell Bobby he needs to name a restaurant after the Lows now.” —@CDeBernardisTDN

West Point Wins Out on Well-Related Tapit Filly

West Point was quite active throughout Monday's opening session, but really made their presence felt when acquiring a Tapit filly out of SP Checkupfroomzneckup (Dixie Union) (Hip 61) for $990,000. West Point partnered on the filly with Scarlet Oak Racing and John Ballantyne's NBS Stable.

“She is a beautiful filly who vetted really well and has a deep pedigree,” said West Point's Terry Finley. “We are really excited to get her. Those are the kind of horses you need to get out of these sales if you have the resources and the partners. We are finding that people are really interested to get into the business. I think that if a benefit to us all.”

West Point bought a total of three horses Monday for a gross of $1.75 million.

WinStar purchased Checkupfromzneckup for $825,000 in foal to one of their flagship stallions, Speightstown, at the 2017 Keeneland November Sale. The resulting foal was 'TDN Rising Star' filly Carribean Caper, who is a perfect three-for-three in her young career. The mare's 2019 Into Mischief filly, now named Bombdiggity, brought $600,000 from Stonestreet Stables at Keeneland September last year. She produced a colt by Quality Road this season. WinStar bred Hip 61 in partnership with Winchell Thoroughbreds, which campaigned her sire Tapit.

“We thought she was one of our nicest yearlings,” said WinStar's David Hanley. “Last year was our highest-priced filly out of that mare. Carribean Caper is a really good filly. She's three-for-three. This was one of our star fillies. She's really classy.”

The Bandoroffs' Denali Stud consigned the filly.

“She was an incredibly popular filly and very well raised by WinStar,” said Denali's Conrad Bandoroff. “She came into the sale great and showed like a queen from day one to day four. These horses are put through the ringer and they have to perform and she did that. She is a really good-minded filly. She was bought by a great team and a great judge. We are delighted for West Point and the team and wish them the best of luck.” —@CDeBernardisTDN

Wilsons Take Home Into Mischief Filly

A filly by super sire Into Mischief (hip 71) will be joining the racing stable of California-based owners Holly and David Wilson after selling for $940,000 Monday in Saratoga. Bloodstock agent Christina Jelm, alongside Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens, signed the ticket on the bay yearling.

“I have been hired to buy a few horses for Mr. David Wilson a long-time riding client that I had for years,” explained Stevens. “He has hired me to pick some horses out. This Into Mischief filly reminded me exactly of Beholder. I fell in love with her. And I said we need this filly and we got her.”

Stevens was on the phone with David Wilson during the bidding.

“I had David on the phone. I said, 'Let's go.' And he started saying, 'Go, go, go.' We were going a little higher than what we wanted. We were pretty excited.”

The yearling, who is out of graded stakes placed Curlina (Cuvee), will head to Randy Bradshaw's Ocala base and options for the filly are open.

“I talked to Randy Bradshaw prior to the sale. I said, 'I am looking at hip 71, this Into Mischief filly, would you go look at her? It might be a pinhook, might be anything, but I'm sending her to you.' I have known Randy forever. She is going to Randy and we will see what happens.”

The filly was consigned by Mulholland Springs and Jay and Beth Young. John Mulholland purchased the mare, in foal to Big Brown, for $100,000 at the 2013 Keeneland November sale. That Big Brown colt was multiple graded stakes placed Sine Wave. The mare had an Uncle Mo colt sell for $500,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September sale and an Into Mischief colt sell for $550,000 at the 2019 Keeneland November sale before selling for $1 million to Larry Best at last year's Keeneland September sale.

“She is a very powerful made horse, more like a colt than a filly, like all of the very good fillies often do,” said Martha Jane Mulholland. “She is very correct and balanced with good bone. She looks like she has a lot of speed.”

Mulholland is sticking with a formula that has worked with the mare.

“We still have the mare,” Mulholland said. “We have a full-brother on the ground and she is in foal to Into Mischief and she is booked to Into Mischief next year. It works.”

Of Monday's result, Mulholland said, “I never try to evaluate them too high. It's fun to get excited when they exceed your expectations. And she did. We are very thrilled.” @JessMartiniTDN

Gun Runner Colt to WinStar

Gun Runner's quick start on the racetrack continued to pay dividends in the sales ring when WinStar Farm purchased a colt by the freshman sire (hip 76) for $850,000 during Monday's first session of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale.

“Gun Runner has obviously had a big weekend,” WinStar's Elliott Walden said of the yearling's appeal. “We actually raised Gun Runner a little while for Besilu and we had him at the farm for a little bit. And this colt is out of a Tiznow mare and I saw a lot of similarities to both. So we really liked him.”

The bay colt is the first foal out of Dayfa (Tiznow) who is from the Ned Evans family which also produced Gun Runner. Dayfa is a daughter of Dance Quietly (A.P. Indy), who is a half-sister to Horse of the Year Saint Liam and to Quiet Giant, dam of Gun Runner.

The yearling was bred by Don Alberto Corporation, which purchased Dayfa for $250,000 at the 2016 Keeneland September sale.

Kenny Troutt's WinStar Farm was active on both sides of the leger Monday, selling a filly by Tapit (hip 61) for $990,000 and a colt by Uncle Mo (hip 70) for $525,000.

“I think the market is very strong,” Walden said. “We sold a Tapit filly very well and an Uncle Mo colt nicely. So I think it's a good, solid market.”

Walden continued, “We brought some really nice horses up here to sell and it's rewarding when they sell well. David [Hanley] and Donnie Preston do a great job getting these horses ready and they presented themselves well. And we have a couple more to sell as well.” @JessMartiniTDN

Hudsons Aim High with Justify Colt

The Hudson family's Hoolie Racing Stable, which had almost immediate success when winning the 2017 GIII Schuylerville S. with Dream It Is (Shackleford) with its first crop of yearling purchases, made a splash Monday at Saratoga when purchasing a colt by Triple Crown winner Justify for $825,000. The yearling (hip 45) was consigned by Sequel New York, as agent for breeders Chester and Mary Broman.

David Hudson, bidding out back alongside bloodstock agent Travis Durr, signed the ticket on behalf of his father Greg and brother Andrew.

“I'm not sure yet,” Hudson said when asked the plans for the yearling. “My brother Andrew runs all of our racing operations. Travis helped us pick him out. He's a really nice-looking New York-bred colt. We are going to give it a shot and see what happens.”

Of the yearling's final price, Hudson admitted, “He's just a good-looking horse that we really liked, so we definitely spent more than we usually would. We will try it and see. We may learn a valuable lesson. An expensive lesson.”

Hip 45 is the second foal out of the Bromans' GI Breeders' Cup F/M Sprint winner Bar of Gold (Medaglia d'Oro). The mare's first foal, Coinage (Tapit), was a $450,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by DJ Stable last year. The colt broke his maiden at Belmont in June and was third in the recent Rick Violette S.

“I trained Bar of Gold, I trained his grandmother. I have been blessed to have Mr. Broman's horses for a long time,” said Sequel's Becky Thomas. “Mr. Broman is a New Yorker through and through. We have several horses in the Keeneland sale. This horse I thought was special and I knew that Mr. Broman would have the opportunity to see him here.”

The $825,000 yearling was the highlight of a strong set of results for the first crop of Justify. The Triple Crown winner was also represented by a $625,000 filly (hip 90); a $470,000 colt (hip 81); and a $350,000 filly (hip 83). @JessMartiniTDN

Blue Devil Racing Strikes for Uncle Mo Filly

Marc Holliday's Blue Devil Racing made quite a splash at Saratoga Monday, going to $700,000 to acquire a filly by Uncle Mo (Hip 82). Trainer Carlos Martin signed the ticket on his client's behalf.

“Uncle Mo has been a fantastic sire,” Martin said. “We saw a couple of fillies that we liked, but we got outrun early in the sale. We went back and reloaded, had a couple of Macallans and we came back a little stronger this time. We thought we would have her around the $500,000 range, but someone made a real run at us. I am so happy.”

Hip 82 is out of the unraced Dreaming of You (Pioneerof the Nile), who was purchased by breeder Phoenix Thoroughbreds for $500,000 at Keeneland November in 2019 with this filly in utero. The bay, currently named Dreaming of Mo, is the mare's first foal and she has since produced a Justify colt. Dreaming of You is a half-sister to MGSW Justwhistledixie (Dixie Union), who has produced the likes of GISW New Year's Day (Street Cry {Ire}), MGSW Mohaymen (Tapit), GSW & GISP Enforceable (Tapit) and GSW Kingly (Tapit).

“She ticked all the boxes,” said Martin. “Justwhistledixie is under the second dam and it doesn't get better than her. Hopefully she can make her ticket as a racehorse. She is a collector's piece. You always want to try to get those horses, but they are hard to get.”

Blue Devil Racing also purchased Hip 29, an Into Mischief filly, for $325,000 post-sale Monday through agent David Hayden.

“We wanted to buy some quality fillies tonight,” Martin said. “We bought another one, Hip 29, and we are going to send that one to Joseph O'Brien because we want to start having horses in Europe. I said, 'Mark, I've been your trainer for the last 10 years. You need to by me a nice filly.' He said he would, so I am really pleased.”

Saratoga has a special place in the hearts of Martin and Holliday as Blue Devil homebred and Martin trainee Come Dancing (Malibu Moon) won both the GI Ballerina S. and GII Honorable Miss H. at this oval. Come Dancing has since retired to the Blue Devil broodmare band.

“We had some luck with Come Dancing and Mark started getting more and more into the commercial breeding,” Martin said. “Saratoga has always been a special place.”

He continued, “We want 10-15 mares. We are going to add and subtract every year. We will probably keep the fillies, sell the colts. We have a couple fillies on the list tomorrow too. As long as Mark has a couple whiskeys upstairs, we will be good.”

Hip 82 was offered by Denali Stud, who was one of the leading consignors Monday with seven yearlings grossing $4 million with an average of $571,429.

“That filly is a big, strong filly,” Denali's Conrad Bandoroff said. “She looks like the kind who could take you to the First Friday in May. I knew Carlos was in love with the filly. He had some strong competition and I am thrilled for him that they got her.”

He continued, “We've been very fortunate. We had some nice horses tonight and had a pretty memorable night. You bring something in that is perceived quality and there is a lot of competition for it.” —@CDeBernardisTDN

South Point Comes Out Running at Saratoga

The South Point Sales team did their absent leader Mike Recio, who is battling sepsis in Kentucky's Central Baptist Hospital, proud early in Monday's opening session, selling a colt from the second-crop of Gun Runner (Hip 24) to Roy and Gretchen Jackson's Lael Stable for $550,000. He was the highest-priced yearling ever sold by South Point Sales.

“It is really special being up here in Saratoga,” said South Point's Sale Coordinator Justina Severni. “I hope we did Mike proud up here. I think we did, especially with that one. He was owned and bred by a longtime client, Blackstone Farm, so we just want to thank them for believing in us and trusting us to sell him well.”

Blackstone Farm acquired the Pennsylvania-bred colt's dam Wembley (Bernardini) for $65,000 at the 2017 Keeneland November Sale carrying her first foal by Hard Spun. She is a daughter of GISW Game Face (Menifee) and a half-sister to GSP Coliseum (Tapit). Blackstone Farm was also represented by a $625,000 Justify filly (Hip 90), who was purchased by MyRacehorse.

“It is difficult to expect $550,000 for a yearling, but he has been straightforward since he was a foal,” said Blackstone Farm's Christian Black. “He has always been lovely and never gave us any problems. When you go out in the field he catches your eye.”

Bloodstock agent Michael Hernon signed the ticket on the Jacksons' behalf. It was his first time acting as agent for the longtime owners.

“Several weeks ago I was asked to do an appraisal by Roy and Gretchen Jackson and then they said, 'Hey, if you see something you like up at Saratoga, let us know.' So, that is how it came about,” Hernon said. “They liked the horse a lot and he passed the vet very well. He has a strong pedigree and looks the part so now all he has to do is run fast.”

Hernon continued, “He has a lot of bone and substance. He is a very correct, well-made and good moving horse. He was very consistent in his showing. The stallion speaks for himself. He is the leading freshman sire and looks like he could be a very serious stallion. This horse strongly resembles him. He is very positive mentally. He is a very good prospect.”

Gun Runner got a major boost over the weekend when Pappacap captured the GII Best Pal S. at Del Mar Saturday and Wicked Halo scored a decisive victory in the GII Adirondack S. across the street from the sales pavilion Sunday.

Click here to donate to a GoFundMe to benefit the Recio family. —@CDeBernardisTDN

The Schvagen Continues to Reward Arnold

Buck Pond Farm's Doug Arnold purchased a yearling by Matty G for a bargain $2,900 at the 2004 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October sale and, while he had very modest success with the filly on the racetrack, The Schvagen has more than rewarded the breeder as a broodmare. The dam of Fancy Dress Party (Munnings) was represented in the Fasig Saratoga sales ring Monday by a full-sister (hip 8) to that graded stakes winner who sold for $450,000 to Frank Brothers and Jason Litt and Alex Solis. “I loved the pedigree,” Arnold said of the mare's appeal in 2004. “It's the family of Mia Farrow and Blushing Groom deep down. I bought her from Darby Dan and the horse had an OCD in an ankle and they didn't think she'd be able to run. So I didn't pay much money for her. I called Wayne Sweezey the next day and I said, 'Wayne, we have a problem.' And he said, 'What's that?' I said, 'That filly doesn't vet, she's got an OCD and I want to turn her back. But I was just kidding. I loved her.”

The Schvagen won twice in four starts and earned $26,730. Her second foal was Panamanian stakes placed Neyra's Dancer (State City).

“I knew if she could produce a stakes horse by State City, we'd be in good shape,” Arnold said.

The Schvagen also produced stakes winner Will Munnings (Munnings).

“I love the people at Ashford and I love Munnings. I always loved that La Troienne family which he is from,” Arnold said.

Hip 8 reminded Arnold of her full-sister, Fancy Dress Party.

“She was very similiar,” he said. “She was a little bit smaller, but she hit the ground nicely. She looks like an athlete, like she will be ready a little earlier than Fancy Dress Party.”

Solis and Litt purchased Fancy Dress Party for $280,000 at the 2017 Keeneland September sale and, racing for the Roth family's LNJ Foxwoods, the flashy dark bay won the 2019 GIII Beaumont S.

As for The Schvagen, Arnold said, “I still have the mare. We bred her back to Munnings, but didn't get her in foal. She has a Justify colt by her side. I am hoping we can continue on. The dilemma for breeders is that this is a filly that I would have loved to keep. But you can't. But as the mare gets older, you want to keep something out of her. But you don't want to keep just a horse that is no account.”

Arnold said he plans to breed the mare back to Munnings next year. @JessMartiniTDN

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