Mr. Big Filly Tops ‘Solid’ Fasig-Tipton California Sale

by Dan Ross & Jessica Martini

POMONA, CA – The Fasig-Tipton California Fall Yearlings and Horses of Racing Age Sale, held Tuesday at Fairplex in Pomona, produced 14 six-figure lots, led by a filly by Mr. Big who sold for $250,000 to Todd Tomazic. Numbers declined from last year's lively renewal of the auction, with 205 head grossing $6,257,100 and the average falling 22% to $30,522 and the median dipping 15% to $17,000. The buy-back rate was 25.7%. It was 24.4% in 2021.

“It was a very solid session,” Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning, Jr. said at the close of business Tuesday. “There was lots of traffic and activity at the barns before the sale and there was spirited bidding on the majority of the horses. There still remained some selectivity in the marketplace–you have to have acceptable conformation, and, like at every sale in the world, you have to jump through the vetting hoops. But I thought, all in all, it was a good follow-up to an exceptional year last year.”

A year ago, 177 horses sold for $6,933,550 for an average of $39,173 and a median of $20,000. The top lot of $350,000 was one of 17 yearlings to bring six figures.

“We probably didn't have quite as much sire power from out-of-state sires this year in the catalogue, but we knew that going in,” Browning said. “But I think that's truthfully part of the rebuilding process where people are starting to have confidence and hopefully a couple of good yearling sales in a row will give breeders more confidence that there will be better quality horses that are Cal-breds. Not that there aren't some nice Cal-breds now, but I think it's a restoration of confidence in the marketplace. I think we are seeing some real indications of that amongst the breeders that sold horses today.”

Hockey Dad (Nyquist) (hip 335) brought the highest price during the horses of racing age section of the sale when bloodstock agent Kim Lloyd went to $175,000 to acquire the 4-year-old on behalf of Gary Hartunian's Rockingham Ranch. Bred and campaigned by Reddam Racing, the bay colt was third in last year's GII Del Mar Derby and GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks.

Tomazic Goes Big

Todd Tomazic, who has been a minority owner on some racehorses in the past, jumped into the fray at the Fasig-Tipton California Yearlings Sale Tuesday when purchasing three yearlings, led by a sale-topping daughter of Mr. Big (hip 228) who sold for $250,000.

“I am not new to being a fan, but I'm new to being an owner,” Tomazic said. “I've been a minority investor in some horses, but I hadn't even been to an auction before.”

Tomazic was being advised at the sale by Terry Knight, farm manager of Legacy Ranch, which raised hip 228 for breeder George Krikorian.

“I did not expect to spend this, but they liked him so we bought him,” Tomazic said. “[Picking horses] is not my forte, but if my trainer likes him, that's what I like. He's a guy who has owned a lot more horses than I have.”

The sale-topping yearling, who was consigned by Havens Bloodstock Agency, is out of Misszippityslewda (City Zip) and is a full-sister to multiple stakes winner Big Sweep. Krikorian purchased the mare for $22,000 at the 2016 Fasig-Tipton February sale and resold her, in foal to Mr. Big, for $11,000 at this year's CTBA February sale.

“We raised her for George and sale prepped her,” Knight said. “She's just kept getting better and better and we've liked her more and more.”

Also Tuesday, Tomazic went to $105,000 to acquire a filly from the first crop of GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner Vino Rosso (hip 189). The yearling is out of Keep the Magic (Malibu Moon) and was also bred by Krikorian and consigned by Havens Bloodstock Agency.

Tomazic's Pomona shopping spree was completed by a filly by another Breeders' Cup Classic winner, Accelerate (hip 36), who was purchased for $35,000 from the Harris Farms consignment.

The yearlings will be sent to Legacy Ranch in Lodi, California to be broke.

“We will see what they can do with them,” Tomazic said.

Siegel Stays Busy in Pomona

Samantha Siegel of Jay Em Ess Stable, following the advice of the late bid-spotter Pete McCormick, bid aggressively to secure a pair of yearlings for matching $200,000 price tags late in the Fasig-Tipton California Yearlings Sale Tuesday. She first went to that figure to acquire a filly by Good Magic (hip 241) and came back 10 hips later to purchase a daughter of Stanford (hip 252) for the same price. Both yearlings were consigned by Stormy and Guy Hull's Washington-based Critter Creek Farm.

“She was beautiful,” Siegal said of hip 241. “To get a Cal-bred by a good freshman sire like Good Magic, whose horses are selling well as yearlings and 2-year-olds, we actually thought we would have to give more. Hopefully we can have some fun with her without the Kentucky sales price.”

The yearling is out of Nine Point Nine (Tribal Rule), a half-sister to stakes winner Sweet Saga (Slew's Saga).

Hip 252 is out of Open Mic (Unbridled's Song) and is a half-sister to stakes-placed No Cover Charge (Kafwain). Her third dam is Words of War (Lord at War {Arg}).

“She is really beautiful, too,” Siegal said. “She is a big, strong filly with a great walk.”

Stormy Hull was co-breeder of both yearlings and, along with Lynn Baker, purchased Open Mic, carrying the Stanford filly, for $11,500 at the 2021 CTBA January sale.

“Those guys sold two really, really nice fillies,” Siegal said of the Critter Creek consignment. “They did a great job. They looked great.”

Siegal's Jay Em Ess also purchased a colt by Smokem (hip 52) for $90,000 and a colt by Mr. Big (hip 105) for $50,000 Tuesday in Pomona.

The yearlings will be trained by Brian Koriner.

Of her take-no-prisoner bidding style, Siegal said, “Pete McCormick told me how to bid. They will go up in little increments forever, but if you make a big move, it's a little different. I got aggressive with my bidding. That's the way I was taught.”

Mandella Strikes for Mitole Filly

Trainer Gary Mandella struck early in the Fasig-Tipton California Yearlings Sale Tuesday when going to $190,000 to acquire a filly by champion sprinter Mitole (hip 58) on behalf of owner Tom Nichols.

“She looks fast and she looks early,” Mandella said of the yearling's appeal. “Tom Nichols has a lot of faith in buying at this sale. We've always had something that can last when we've come here. And this one looks as good as anything we've gotten here. We are happy to take this one home.”

Bred and consigned by Richard Barton Thoroughbreds, the dark bay filly is out of Whim (More Than Ready) and from the family of stakes winner Saratoga Humor and multiple graded winner Heart Stealer. Barton purchased the 10-year-old mare, with the filly in utero, for $40,000 at the 2020 Keeneland November sale.

Mandella had a few other yearlings on his short list, but admitted his shopping might be over after the six-figure purchase.

“I think we spent the budget,” he said. “We were hoping to get that one for a bit less and try for a few a bit later, to be honest, but I liked that one and we went ahead and used up the budget.”

Repole in Action on the West Coast

Mike Repole, a major buyer at the Keeneland September sale, took his buying spree to the West Coast when purchasing a filly by Kantharos (hip 180) for $115,000 Tuesday in Pomona.

“I thought she was a nice filly,” said trainer Michael McCarthy, who signed the ticket on behalf of Repole. “She caught my eye earlier in the week. She looked fast.”

Consigned by Barton Thoroughbreds, the yearling is out of multiple stakes-placed Imperial Pippin (Empire Maker), who is a daughter of graded winner Apple of Kent (Kris S.). She was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, which purchased Imperial Pippin with the filly in utero, for $16,000 at the 2020 Keeneland November sale.

Repole, in partnership with St. Elias Stables, was the leading buyer at the Keeneland September sale with 31 yearlings purchased for $12,840,000. On his own, Repole was the auction's fourth-leading buyer with 27 head purchased for $7,940,000.

“He is a guy with a vision,” McCarthy said. “And he thought it was a great idea to take advantage of the state-bred program.”

Sir Prancealot Filly to Mathis and Jawl

A filly by Sir Prancealot (Ire) (hip 143) will be heading to the Golden Gate Fields barn of trainer Andy Mathis after selling for $100,000 Tuesday at the Fasig-Tipton California Sale. The gray yearling is out of Do Dat Blues (Lydgate) and is a half-sister to stakes winner Mo See Cal (Uncle Mo). She was bred by Rozamund Barclay, Sydnee Brown and Dena Murdock and was consigned by McCarthy Bloodstock.

“She impressed me when I saw her,” Mathis, who was bidding on behalf of owner Michael Jawl, said. “She's the right size with a really nice walk. She seemed really smart. From the first time I saw her to when she was in the ring, she never flinched. And we like the Cal-bred angle.”

Of plans for the filly, Mathis laughed and said, “Win some stakes–we better for $100,000. She looks the part and hopefully she runs the part.”

A few hips later, Mathis signed the ticket at $75,000 to acquire a filly by Smiling Tiger (hip 150) on behalf of Robert D. Bone.

Mathis, who has been training  since 2001, is coming off a bang-up Del Mar meeting where he had 12 wins from 41 starts.

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Subconscious Streaks To Third Consecutive Win In Twilight Derby

In his biggest career assignment, the Richard Mandella-conditioned Subconscious blew by heavily favored Rock Your World turning for home and bounded to a 1 ¼-length victory in Santa Anita's closing day Grade 2, $200,000 Twilight Derby in Arcadia, Calif.  Ridden to victory for the third time in a row by Juan Hernandez, Subconscious got 1 1/8 miles on firm turf in 1:47 flat.

Breaking alertly from post position two in the field of 10 sophomores, Subconscious sat a comfortable second, about a length and a half off of Rock Your World into the Club House turn and held his position in the run up the backside.  Three furlongs from home, Hernandez angled outside while a half-length back and at the top of the lane he was in command with longshot Cathkin Peak a length and a half back to his outside.

“Mr. Mandella told me if they went too (fast) in front, just to sit behind them because he's getting to relax and he runs better like that,” said Hernandez, who notched his third win on the day and his fourth stakes win of the 16-day meeting.  “I just let the speed go and he relaxed pretty well for me today, so I think that was the key, just to stay behind the speed.

“I thought for a moment (Rock Your World) was never going to stop.  That's why I put a little pressure (on him) around the half mile to ask him to move, but my horse helped me a lot, he responded really well.  When we kicked for home, he just exploded…He wouldn't get beat by the other horses.”

A 1 1/16 mile maiden turf winner in his fourth start on Aug. 21, Subconscious was most recently an impressive one-mile turf allowance winner at Santa Anita on Oct. 2.  In his first stakes assignment, he was off as the 5-2 second choice today and paid $7.80, $4.80 and $3.80.

A $380,000 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale weanling purchase, Subconscious is owned by LNJ Foxwoods.  Gelded following his third start on June 23, Subconscious, a 3-year-old by Tapit out of the Candy Ride mare Sweet Dreams, now has three wins from six starts—all on turf.  With the winner's share of $120,000, he increased his earnings to $219,820.

When asked if he thought the gelding process has been a significant factor in the development of Subconscious, assistant trainer Gary Mandella responded, “Yes, it's nice to see him live up to his potential now with that part of it straightened out.  He's a serious horse now.  The first time we saw him, we had really high hopes for him.  He had a little trouble with a knee, had a surgery and we turned him out.

“But even if that hadn't of happened, mentally, he just wasn't there.  Now he is and he's got it all figured out and you can see what he's turned into with these three (wins) in a row.”

Next to last and about seven lengths off the lead with a quarter mile to run, Irish-bred Cathkin Peak charged up the rail late in a huge effort to be second, finishing a half length in front of Beyond Brilliant.  Ridden by Jose Valdivia, Jr., Cathkin Peak was off at 26-1 and paid $16.00 and $11.00.

Attentive to the pace throughout, Beyond Brilliant took up the chase for victory when Rock Your World faded a furlong from home and out-finished Hudson Ridge by three quarters of length to pay $8.60 to show.

Ridden by Umberto Rispoli, Rock Your World a winner of the G1 Santa Anita Derby in April and undefeated in two prior starts on grass, had no apparent excuses while finishing next to last at 6-5.

Fractions on the race were 23.76, 47.46, 1:11.52 and 1:35.04.

With $4.5 million in new money bet into today's mandatory payout 20 cent Rainbow Pick Six, there was total Rainbow Six pool of $5.3 million, resulting in 354 winning tickets that were each worth $12,164.90.

Live racing resumes with opening day of Santa Anita's Winter/Spring Meeting on Sunday, Dec. 26.

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Astronaut Soars To Victory In Del Mar Handicap, Gets BC Turf Spot

Astronaut (24-1) topped a trio of long shots in the money for the Del Mar Handicap Presented by The Japan Racing Association at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif. Master Piece (23-1) and Acclimate (10-1) were second and third.

The win by the 4-year-old son of Quality Road in the 1 3/8-mile turf marathon came as a shock to many. But not to his immediate connections.

“I wasn't surprised,” said Hall of Fame jockey Victor Espinoza. “I thought in his last race (1 ¾-mile San Juan Capistrano in June) he was a little too close and the race was a little too long for him.”

Astronaut settled in seventh place in the field of 11 and made a sustained run through the last three-eighths to prevail by a half-length.

“We wanted to run him long, but we weren't sure how long,” Shirreffs said. “And when he ran so well going a mile and three-quarters, it seemed like this was possible.”

The race being a “Win and You're In” qualifier for the $4 million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar on November 6, Astronaut's place in it is not only possible, but probable.

Del Mar Handicap favorite United had traffic problems from the mile mark to midstretch and finished fourth.

“It was frustrating,” said Gary Mandella. “He had bad racing luck, didn't get the kind of trip he needs to show himself off and had to settle for fourth when we thought he was the best horse.”

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Stay Thirsty Colt Tops Fasig-Tipton California Sale

by Dan Ross and Jessica Martini

CYPRESS, CA – With numbers predictably down against a backdrop of pandemic and economic uncertainties, a total of 166 yearlings grossed $3,735,700 during the Fasig-Tipton California Fall Yearlings Sale held Monday at Los Alamitos Race Course. The average of $22,504 was down 15.9% from last year’s inaugural Fasig California Yearling sale and the median dropped 30.0% to $10,000.

“Statistically it was in line with what we’ve seen at the Kentucky sales and the Ocala sales,” Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning said at the close of business Monday evening. “I thought, all in all, the storm was weathered better for this sale than I would have anticipated coming in.”

The buy-back rate improved from 46.3% a year ago to 35.2% Monday.

“I think we’ve seen across the country, sellers have adjusted their expectations and are being more realistic in setting their reserves,” Browning said.

The 2019 auction had been held in Pomona, but restrictions on crowd sizes in Los Angeles county forced the sales company to call an audible and move to Los Alamitos less than a month ago.

“We were limited in our ability to promote the sale because we didn’t have a home for it until three weeks beforehand,” Browning said. “We had been holding the catalogue to be printed until we could find a date and a location.”

Browning continued, “I have to thank [Los Alamitos owner] Doc [Ed] Allred and his team and staff here at Los Alamitos because without their cooperation and effort and willingness to pitch in and help out the Thoroughbred industry, this sale would not have taken place today. It took a commitment to try to support the industry and it wouldn’t have happened if they hadn’t stepped up to the plate and said, ‘We will work with you and we’ll do everything we possibly can to make the sale happen.'”

A colt by Stay Thirsty brought the auction’s highest price when selling for $200,000 to Naseer Fasihuddin. Fasihuddin purchased two of the auction’s three six-figure lots. A year ago, six yearlings reached that threshold with a top price of $150,000.

“At least we were able to provide a marketplace for the breeders to give them an outlet for their horses,” Browning said. “That is so crucial because at the end of the day, they have to stay in business to provide the product  from a racing and sales perspective.”

Fasihuddin Quenches Thirst at Fasig-Tipton

Naseer Fasihuddin and his wife Zahra Madiha attended Monday’s Fasig-Tipton California Fall Yearlings Sale with just one stallion on their radar and the San Diego-based couple came away with a pair of yearlings by Stay Thirsty. Fasihuddin made the first six-figure purchase of the auction Monday when going to $110,000 to acquire a colt (hip 51) by the 2011 GI Travers S. winner.

“We were looking for a Stay Thirsty,” Fasihuddin confirmed after signing the ticket on hip 51, a son of graded winner Lost Bus (Bring the Heat). “It’s a nice pedigree and he looked really good.”

Asked if he was done shopping after that purchase, Fasihuddin said, “I am still looking for one.”

It didn’t take long for Fasihuddin to add a second Stay Thirsty yearling to his stable as he went to a sale-topping $200,000 to acquire hip 79. The dark bay is out of multiple stakes winner My Fiona (Ghostzapper).

“We came here specifically for these two horses,” Fasihuddin said. “I am happy to get them.”

Both yearlings were bred by Terry Lovingier and were consigned by his Lovacres Ranch. Stay Thirsty stands at Lovacres in Warner Springs for $10,000.

In addition to the two newly acquired yearlings, Fasihuddin and Madiha’s broodmare Smiling Tigress was bred to Stay Thirsty this past spring and is carrying her first foal. A $20,000 purchase at the 2016 Barretts October Yearling sale, the mare was stakes placed and earned over $175,000 on the racetrack for the couple.

Later in the auction, Fasihuddin purchased a filly by Stay Thirsty (hip 244) for $20,000, a filly by Mohaymen (hip 217) for $70,000 and a filly by Shaman Ghost (hip 196) for $20,000.

Fasihuddin said a trainer had not yet been picked out for the yearlings.

More Nyquist for Eclipse Thoroughbreds

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners has already capitalized on Nyquist’s fast start at stud and the operation added a California-bred yearling filly by the GI Kentucky Derby winner to its roster Monday at Los Alamitos. Eclipse’s Aron Wellman signed the ticket at $135,000 to acquire hip 75 from Tom Bachman’s Fairview consignment.

“She is by a stallion who is off to an incredible start,” Wellman said of the filly. “Nyquist was obviously based in California, so I was very familiar with him and his record speaks for itself.”

Eclipse and Gary Barber campaign Gretzky the Great (Nyquist), who is now Breeders’ Cup-bound after winning the GI Summer S. at Woodbine last month. Eclipse enjoyed more success with the Darley stallion when Thinking, campaigned in partnership with Farfellow Farm, graduated at Keeneland Saturday.

Hip 75 is out of Moon River Gal (Malibu Moon), a daughter of multiple Grade I placed High Heeled Hope (Salt Lake) and a half-sister to graded winners Lady T N T (Justin Phillip) and Sweet Hope (Lemon Drop Kid). The yearling was bred by Bachman, who purchased Moon River Gal with the filly in utero for $270,000 at the 2018 Keeneland November sale.

“This filly, to me, was a standout here at the sale,” Wellman said. “To my eye, physically she was a woman amongst girls. She is by a hot freshman sire and she has some female pedigree to bolster the quality. You add on the fact that she is Cal-bred and it’s the complete package. She was certainly the first round draft pick.”

Of plans for the yearling Wellman said, “We are going to ship her out of state to Florida to get her broken, but she’ll make her way back to California to take advantage of the Cal-bred incentives.”

Not This Time Filly for Nichols

Trainer Gary Mandella purchased a filly by hot freshman sire Not This Time for $95,000 early in Monday’s Fasig-Tipton California sale. Mandella signed the ticket on hip 64 on behalf of longtime owner Tom Nichols. The yearling is out of Masterful Lass (Mizzen Mast) and is a half-sister to stakes-placed Avanti Bello (Include). Bred by Lou Neve, the chestnut filly was consigned by Adrian Gonzalez’s Checkmate Thoroughbreds.

“I just thought she was very athletic looking,” Mandella said. “We think she has a chance to be the right kind of horse. It’s not so much about her pedigree or her page, I just thought she looked the part and walked the part. She was the kind of athlete I like to take a shot with.”

Mandella said he expected the yearling will be seen on the racetrack next year.

“We will give her a month off to get over the stress and then go right back on,” he said. “Not This Time is certainly not going to hold you back in trying to get a 2-year-old to the races given what he is doing. I’m not going to rush her–because I never do–but I’m not opposed to her making the races at some point in her 2-year-old year. We will treat her like the good filly we think she is. I think she was worth every penny.”

Based in Omaha, Nebraska, Nichols campaigned 2003 GIII Hawthorne H. winner Keys to the Heart (Wild Again).

“[Nichols] has been with me for a few years,” Mandella said. “We have had some nice horses and some good luck. Hopefully she’ll be just a little bit better.”

Hanson All in Caps

Trainer Ryan Hanson, who purchased recent maiden special weight winner Teton Valley (Tapiture) for $26,000 from the Barton Thoroughbreds consignment at last year’s Fasig-Tipton California Yearlings Sale, went back to that family’s consignment Monday to acquire a colt by Dads Caps (hip 142) for $50,000. Hanson purchased the yearling on behalf of new client Linda Cannon.

“She’s from the Quarter Horse world,” Hanson said of Cannon. “They are joining us in the Thoroughbred world. He’s a very well-balanced colt and we hope he’s good.”

Hip 142 is out of Seeking the Ghost (Ghostzapper), a half-sister to multiple Grade I winner Pomeroy (Boundary). Richard Barton purchased the mare in foal to Jimmy Creed for $2,500 at the 2016 Keeneland November sale. That in utero filly sold for $130,000 at the 2019 OBS April sale. Seeking the Ghost produced an Upstart colt this year.

Dads Caps, winner of the 2014 and 2015 GI Carter H., stands at Barton Thoroughbreds for $2,500. His first foals are 2-year-olds this year, but the crop includes just three juveniles. He has 27 yearlings. In addition to hip 142, Barton Thoroughbreds sold another colt (hip 162) by the 10-year-old stallion for $50,000 to Sausalito Partners and a third colt (hip 203) for $40,000 to Maher Lutfallah.

While Dads Caps has yet to have his first winner, Hanson is no stranger to getting young stallions their first victories. The trainer sent out Weston, the first winner for freshman Hit It A Bomb, to win the GII Best Pal S. in August.

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