Book 1 of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale is the one that gets the headlines, with flashy prices and pedigrees grabbing seven-figure bids from the deepest pockets in the game. The marathon sale's second book might not have the same front-page appeal, but it has consistently offered some of the auction's most visible graduates on the track over the past decade.
Not every Book 2 is created equal, with some commencing as soon as the second session following a hyper-boutique Book 1, and others going into the auction's first weekend gatherings. The Book 2 population can also differ year-to-year from a snappy two-day tilt to a four-day march through the upper-middle market.
As such, every Book 2 horse is there for a different reason. Some sellers prefer to have their Book 1-caliber horses go through the ring in the second book to better stand out to a group of buyers still looking to spend top dollar, while others might have the physical to belong in Book 2, even if their pedigree would normally place them later in the sale.
Following are the top 20 Book 2 graduates sold at the Keeneland September sale since 2010, as ranked by bloodstock editor Joe Nevills, with assistance from the Paulick Report staff. Horses were judged strictly based on their on-track performance, leaving aside factors like their breeding careers or value against their sale price.
1. BEHOLDER
Henny Hughes x Leslie's Lady, by Tricky Creek
Sold to Spendthrift Farm for $180,000 in 2011; Consigned by Clarkland Farm
A sure-fire Hall of Famer, Beholder was one of the sport's towering figures of the mid-2010s, earning Eclipse Awards in four of her five campaigns, and 11 Grade 1 victories. She was a two-time winner of the Breeders' Cup Distaff and she secured the champion 2-year-old female Eclipse with a victory in the 2012 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Her exploits against males were just as storied, winning the G1 Pacific Classic Stakes in 2015, and finishing second in the same race a year later.
2. NYQUIST
Uncle Mo x Seeking Gabrielle, by Forestry
Sold to Sutton Place Stables for $230,000 in 2014; Consigned by Dromoland Farm
The standard-bearer for Uncle Mo's record-setting debut crop, Nyquist won each of his first eight starts – five of which were in Grade 1 company. He locked down champion 2-year-old male honors after winning the 2015 Breeders' Cup Juvenile, and then he became the second horse in history to wear the roses in the Kentucky Derby after taking the Juvenile. He also finished third in the Preakness Stakes.
3. ACCELERATE
Lookin At Lucky x Issues, by Awesome Again
Sold to L.E.B. for $380,000 in 2014; Consigned by Bluewater Sales
A horse that just got better with age, earning the 2018 Eclipse Award for champion older male at age five with wins including the G1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita Stakes, Pacific Classic, Awesome Again Stakes, and Breeders' Cup Classic. Though he didn't get started racing until April of his 3-year-old season, he won at least one graded stakes race in each of his first three campaigns, and the lone start in his fourth was an in-the-money effort in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes.
4. ABEL TASMAN
Quality Road x Vargas Girl, by Deputy Minister
RNA for $65,000 in 2015; Consigned by Clearsky Farm
Six of her eight career victories were in Grade 1 races, including the 2017 Kentucky Oaks. That victory helped her secure the Eclipse Award for champion 3-year-old filly, further bolstered by wins in the G1 Acorn Stakes, and Coaching Club American Oaks, along with a narrow runner-up effort in the Breeders' Cup Distaff.
5. LADY ELI
Divine Park x Sacre Coeur, by Saint Ballado
Sold to Bradley Thoroughbreds, agent, for $160,000 in 2013; Consigned by Runnymede Farm
One of the decade's biggest comeback stories, recovering from laminitis to become the champion turf female of 2017, and the winner of five lifetime Grade 1 races. She was undefeated prior to her year away to recover from infection after stepping on a safety pin, highlighted by a victory in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.
6. WEST COAST
Flatter x Caressing, by Honour and Glory
Sold to Ben Glass, agent, for $425,000 in 2015; Consigned by Hermitage Farm
Though he was late to reach the upper-tier competition during his sophomore campaign, West Coast earned the champion 3-year-old male Eclipse on the strength of a campaign that included wins in the G1 Travers Stakes and Pennsylvania Derby. He went on to secure a series of big checks with in-the-money efforts in the Breeders' Cup Classic, Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes, and Dubai World Cup.
7. GAME WINNER
Candy Ride x Indyan Giving, by A.P. Indy
Sold to Ben Glass, agent, for $110,000 in 2017; Lane's End, agent
The champion 2-year-old male of 2018 went undefeated that season, using victories in the G1 Del Mar Futurity and American Pharoah Stakes to lead into his crowning score in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.
8. MCKINZIE
Street Sense x Runway Model, by Petionville
Sold to Three Amigos for $170,000 in 2016; Consigned by Lane's End
One of his crop's most consistent high-end runners, McKinzie has taken down four Grade 1 races, and he finished second in last year's Breeders' Cup Classic. All four of his campaigns have included at least one graded stakes win.
9. SHANGHAI BOBBY
Harlan's Holiday x Steelin', by Orientate
Sold to Starlight Racing for $105,000 in 2011; Consigned by Stonehaven Steadings
A perfect five-for-five record with wins in the G1 Champagne Stakes and Breeders' Cup Juvenile secured champion 2-year-old male honors for Shanghai Bobby in 2012. He came back at three to win a stakes race and finish second in the G3 Holy Bull Stakes.
10. LIAM'S MAP
Unbridled's Song x Miss Macy Sue, by Trippi
Sold to St. Elias Stables for $800,000 in 2012; Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency
Never worse than second in eight career starts, Liam's Map became one of the top contenders in the older males division in 2015 after winning the G1 Woodward Stakes and Breeders' Cup Mile. He preceded those efforts with a runner-up finish in the G1 Whitney Stakes.
11. HAWKBILL
Kitten's Joy x Trensa, by Giant's Causeway
Sold to John Ferguson for $350,000 in 2014; Consigned by Gainesway
A Group 1 winner on two continents, who came within a head of adding a third in the G1 Northern Dancer Turf Stakes in 2017. His six career group stakes victories included the G1 Coral-Eclipse Stakes in England and the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic in the U.A.E., and he was also multiple Group 1-placed in Germany.
12. LADY AURELIA
Scat Daddy x D'Wildcat Speed, by Forest Wildcat
Sold to George Bolton and Peter Leidel for $350,000 in 2015; Consigned by James Herbener Jr.
Europe's champion 2-year-old filly of 2016 was a two-time winner at the prestigious Royal Ascot meet. She also picked up a Group 1 win in France and a listed stakes win in the U.S.
13. PRACTICAL JOKE
Into Mischief x Halo Humor, by Distorted Humor
Sold to Aquinnah Ventures for $240,000 in 2015; Consigned by Gainesway
A precocious juvenile who grew into a high-level one-turn horse by the end of his 3-year-old campaign. He won his first three starts, including the G1 Hopeful and Champagne Stakes, then ran third in the 2016 Breeders' Cup Juvenile. At three, he took the G1 H. Allen Jerkens Stakes, then competed admirably against older foes in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and G1 Cigar Mile Handicap.
14. OXBOW
Awesome Again x Tizamazing, by Cee's Tizzy
Sold to Bluegrass Hall for $250,000 in 2011; Con- signed by Burleson Farms
The 2013 Preakness Stakes winner, who also finished second in that year's Belmont Stakes and won the G3 LeComte Stakes earlier in his career.
15. VEKOMA
Candy Ride x Mona de Momma, by Speightstown
Sold to R.A. Hill Stable for $135,000 in 2017; Consigned by Lane's End
After winning the G2 Blue Grass Stakes at three, the colt is undefeated at four, including wins in the G1 Carter Handicap and Metropolitan Handicap.
16. I'M A CHATTERBOX
Munnings x Chit Chatter, by Lost Soldier
RNA for $30,000 in 2013; Consigned by William B. Harrigan
Notched G1 wins in the Cotillion Stakes, Delaware Handicap, and Spinster Stakes, and ran third in the 2015 Kentucky Oaks.
17. SHE'S A TIGER
Tale of the Cat x Shandra Smiles, by Cahill Road
Sold to Mersad Metanovic Bloodstock for $150,000; Consigned by Warrendale Sales
Champion 2-year-old filly of 2013 won the G1 Del Mar Debutante Stakes, and was later disqualified from first to second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.
18. DIVISIDERO
Kitten's Joy x Madame du Lac, by Lemon Drop Kid Sold to Margaux Farm, agent, for $250,000 in 2013; Consigned by Hinkle Farms
A two-time winner of the G1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes.
19. BODEMEISTER
Empire Maker x Untouched Talent, by Storm Cat Sold to Zayat Stables for $260,000 in 2010; Consigned by Brookdale Sales
Parlayed a win in the G1 Arkansas Derby to runner-up efforts in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.
20. CON TE PARTIRO
Scat Daddy x Temple Street, by Street Cry
Sold to Cromwell Bloodstock for $130,000 in 2015; Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency
A Grade 3-placed multiple stakes winner who was later sold to race in Australia, where she has become a two-time Group 1 winner at age six.
The post Second-Book Stars: The Top 20 Keeneland September Book 2 Graduates Of The Decade appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
