‘Encouraging Start’ as $500k Home Cooking Tops Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Opener

LEXINGTON, KY – The Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale defied what has appeared in recent months to be a weakening sales market with a strong opening session in Lexington Monday.

“It was a very encouraging start,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “There was lots of activity throughout the day, really from start to finish, at all level of horses and at all price ranges and all types of horses. Yearlings sold very well, mares in foal sold very well, broodmare prospects sold very well. The place was crowded very much from start to finish. And there was lots of activity at every level, which was very encouraging. I think we all had a little fear and trepidation about where the middle market is and is there going to be a market for some of the horses that are perceived to be the lesser expensive ones, and I thought the trade was good there today.”

A total of 196 horses sold Monday for a gross of $7,925,500. The average was $40,436 and the median was $16,000. Those figures were significantly up from the auction's 2023 opening session when 182 horses sold for $5,524,300, for an average of $30,353 and a median of $10,500.

With 41 horses reported not sold, the buy-back rate was 17.3%. It was 20.5% a year ago.

Bloodstock agent Steve Young made the highest bid of the day when securing the Grade I-placed broodmare prospect Home Cooking (Honor Code) for $500,000 on behalf of Ramona Bass, who continues to acquire mares to support her recently retired stallion Annapolis.

A colt by Constitution was the day's top-priced yearling when selling for $300,000. The 22-year-old Jes Sikura signed the ticket on behalf of a pinhooking partnership in the name of Discovery Bay.

During Monday's session, 25 horses sold for six figures. Up for 13 to hit that mark a year ago.

The Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale concludes with a session beginning Tuesday at 10 a.m. The session is expected to be dominated by offerings from the dispersal of Lothenbach Stables.

Young Continues Buying for Annapolis

Bloodstock agent Steve Young and breeder Ramona Bass, who were busy buying mares to support Bass's recently retired Grade I-winning stallion Annapolis (War Front) at last month's Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale, continued their buying spree at the Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale, going to $500,000 to acquire Home Cooking (Honor Code) (hip 68) Monday in Lexington. The Grade I-placed broodmare prospect was consigned by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa.

“She is a wonderful mare,” Young said. “She was a very fast horse at OBS. She was unlucky not to win the Grade I as a 2-year-old and, if she had won that, I don't know what she would have cost, but she would have cost more than that. And she still has the same genes, the same balance and the same mechanics. So, I think she was bought at a very good price.”

Home Cooking, a daughter of Olympic Avenue (Hard Spun), is a half-sister to multiple stakes-placed Gold for Kitten (Kitten's Joy) and from the family of Valid Expectations. She sold to Three Amigos for $260,000 after working a furlong in 9 4/5 at the 2022 OBS March sale.

Racing for Mike Pegram, Paul Weitman and Karl Watson and trained by Bob Baffert, the bay graduated by 9 1/4 lengths at Del Mar that August. She stumbled at the break before coming up just a head short when second as the heavy favorite in the GI Del Mar Debutante (video). On the board in four of eight career starts and with two wins, Home Cooking retired with earnings of $176,180.

Of Home Cooking's appearance in the February sale, Young said, “In the last decade, there are a lot of people who would rather be a big fish in a smaller pond. She's got quality to sell in any sale. She's a serious horse.”

Young purchased four mares to support Annapolis at the Keeneland January sale: Bridlewood Cat (Street Sense) (hip 267) for $750,000; Kaling (Practical Joke) (hip 387) for $650,000; Juniper's Moon (Galileo {Ire}) (hip 419) for $625,000; and Pure Pauline (Curlin) (hip 490) for $160,000.

“We don't have a set number, but we are going to support him for real,” Young said. “We don't necessarily have to have a full roster by the start of the breeding season–there are going to be horses who either retire or come up privately on the way. So we are just methodically buying horses that he deserves.”

Annapolis, winner of the 2022 GI Coolmore Turf Mile, will begin his stud career this month at Claiborne at a fee of $12,500.

Constitution Colt Gets Sikura on the Board

Jes Sikura, flanked by Chris Baccari and Randy Hartley in the upstairs balcony of the sales pavilion, signed the ticket at $300,000 to acquire a colt by Constitution (hip 242) in the name of Discovery Bay. Sikura said the colt was purchased for a pinhooking partnership, but the partnership did not include Baccari or Hartley.

“He was a really nice, smooth-moving Constitution,” Sikura said. “I bought him for a partnership. It's a new partnership–a guy from down south. We are going to wheel him back as a yearling. And we are pretty excited to see what happens.”

Consigned by Four Star Sales and bred by Cypress Creek Equine, the chestnut colt is out of Special Thanks (Broken Vow). The mare, in foal to War Front, was purchased by Cypress Creek for $200,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton February sale. Carrying this Constitution colt, she RNA'd for $170,000 at the 2023 Keeneland January sale. Her War Front colt sold for $210,000 at Fasig-Tipton the next month.

“He is probably going to be a late bloomer–he's a late May foal–so I thought he had good angles and proportional,” Sikura said of the yearling's appeal. “I think he can develop into something big, strong and attractive.”

Asked if this was the highest-priced ticket he has signed, the 22-year-old Sikura, son of Hill 'n' Dale's John Sikura, said, “In the U.S., yes.”

Wade Strikes for Justify Filly

David Wade, still in an ebullient mood after adding Endorsed to the roster at Northview Stallion Station, restocked for a return trip to the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale later this year when purchasing a filly by Justify (hip 224) for $290,000 at Newtown Paddocks Monday.

“She will go to the Saratoga sale,” Wade said of the short yearling. “We've been pinhooking some horses there for the last couple of years. She'll be another one that we will take there.”

Consigned by Padraig Campion's Blandford Stud, the bay filly was bred by Paget Bloodstock. She is out of the unraced mare Shannon Faith (Discreet Cat) and her third dam is Felicita (Rubiano), who produced Take Charge Lady. Take Charge Lady is the dam of Will Take Charge, Take Charge Indy and As Time Goes By.

Shannon Faith was purchased by Shannon Bloodstock for $27,000 at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton February sale.

Speaking of fillies by red hot Justify, Wade said, “They are nice, robust horses and most of them are pretty correct. And they've got bone. This one looks like an athlete. She is a nice walker and an attractive type horse that we think is going to develop very well by August.”

At last year's Saratoga sale, Northview Stallion Station sold a colt by Good Magic (hip 150), purchased for $225,000 at Keeneland January, for $350,000, and a colt by Gun Runner (hip 220), purchased for $400,000 at Keeneland January, for $650,000.

Asked for his impression of the foal/short yearling market this year, Wade said, “At that end of the market, it is always competitive. I know people like to make comments about how the market is this year as opposed to last year, but it's always competitive when you are trying to buy a good horse. Everybody is here for the same ones.”

A Date for Mage

Mage (Good Magic) took co-owner and bloodstock agent Ramiro Restrepo on the ride of a lifetime when he won the GI Kentucky Derby last May. Restrepo was in action at Fasig-Tipton Monday purchasing mares for Jose Aguirre's JR Ranch to support the stallion who begins his stud career this month at Airdrie Stud. Restrepo signed the ticket at $290,000 to acquire multiple stakes winner and multiple graded placed R Adios Jersey (Adios Charlie) (hip 191) from the Gainesway consignment.

“We were looking for speed, so we got R Adios Jersey for him,” Restrepo said. “She ran some really impressive figures. She was running at our home track at Gulfstream, so we had an up close and personal look at her. She is a beautiful filly with really nice conformation. So we are over the moon and really happy to get her.”

Bred by Ocala Stud and Michael O'Farrell, Jr., R Adios Jersey is out of Marion Theatre (Montbrook) and sold for $12,000 at the 2020 OBS March sale.

She was a four-time stakes winner against fellow Florida-breds and last year was third in the GIII Hurricane Bertie S. and GIII Princess Rooney S. On the board in 12 of 15 starts, she won seven times and earned $393,245.

Earlier in Monday's session of the winter sale, JR Ranch acquired multiple stakes winner Luna Belle (Great Notion) (hip 119) for $100,000 from Bill Reightler's consignment.

“Size and speed,” Restrepo said of what he looks for in potential dates for Mage. “Fillies that were able to win at a black-type level. I've always thought that, with the mares, you look for speed, and the stallion will give them the class that they need to take them over the top. Mage was a horse that naturally was an exceptional seven furlong to a miler and [trainer] Gustavo [Delgado] got him to go the 1 1/4 miles. But he was a horse with a lot of heart and a lot of fight. These mares show those similar qualities. If those two things can come together, we'll have some nice pieces.”

Of JR Ranch, Restrepo said, “They have bought a couple of properties in Ocala and we've bought horses in Goffs and Arqana this summer with them in partnership. They are new to the game and very, very excited. We have some 2-year-olds running, a 3-year-old we bought at the Royal Ascot sale. So they are game and love the business.”

At last year's Goffs London Sale, JR Ranch purchased Ocean Vision (Ire) (U S Navy Flag) (hip 25) for ₤250,000, while at Arqana last August, Restrepo's Marquee Bloodstock acquired a yearling by Siyouni (hip 279) for €700,000 on behalf of Aguirre.

“They are racing, breeding, a little pinhooking, racing internationally,” Restrepo said of JR Ranch. “A little bit of everything.”

Good Magic Colt Destined for Resale

Marshall Taylor acquired a colt by Good Magic (hip 141) for $270,000 on behalf of his Castleton Way/Hard Five pinhooking partnership Monday at Fasig-Tipton. The Pennsylvania-bred short yearling, consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, was bred by Uptowncharlybrown Stud.

“He is a beautiful colt with a lot of size and stretch to him for his sire,” Taylor said as several would-be buyers peered in to see who had acquired the popular colt. “He has a really nice walk on him. We are excited to have him. We plan on taking him back in a summer sale this year.”

Out of the unraced Moonlight Serenade (Malibu Moon), the colt is a half-brother to Dixie Serenade (Uptowncharlybrown), winner of the 2018 GIII Victory Ride S. The mare's 2-year-old Not the First Time (Not This Time) RNA'd for $90,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale.

“We have a little bit of information on the 2-year-old, the Not This Time filly,” Taylor said. “I know she's training really well. So that gave me a little confidence right there that we might have an update.”

Of the foal market last November and into the short yearling market this year, Taylor said, “I feel like this year, you've had to stretch more than in past years. I feel like it's been tough. November was really hard and it carried right over into January and now into February.”

The post ‘Encouraging Start’ as $500k Home Cooking Tops Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Opener appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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R Adios Jersey, Shivaree Wins FTBOA Stakes At Tampa Bay Saturday

Florida's Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry put its best foot forward today at Tampa Bay Downs in Tampa, Fla., and even fans who didn't cash a ticket came away feeling like winners after a pair of breathtaking stakes races.

In the fourth race, the fifth edition of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association City of Ocala Florida Sire Stakes for registered state-bred fillies and mares, unbeaten 3-year-old R Adios Jersey engineered a tour de force, dominating four rivals for an 11-length victory.

Two races later, in the FTBOA Marion County Florida Sire Stakes for registered state-bred males, owners, trainers, and spectators were left gasping as 4-year-old colt Shivaree defended his 2020 Marion County title with a desperate rally in the final strides that deprived 5-year-old gelding R Mercedes Boy of victory by a head.

Both winners earned $60,000 from the $100,000 purses, but it was the thrills they provided along the way that proved priceless. Shivaree's winning time of 1:22.58 for the seven-furlong distance was .02 seconds faster than R Adios Jersey, but it should also be mentioned she was geared down late while Shivaree was all-out at the finish.

Jockey Paco Lopez knew R Adios Jersey was virtually flying during the early stages of the City of Ocala. But the 3-year-old filly felt so comfortable beneath him, he decided it would be counter-productive to try to slow her down.

By the time she got to the 1/8-mile pole of the seven-furlong race, her four Florida-bred rivals were vying for second place. R Adios Jersey continued to roll, improving her record to 6 for 6.

An overwhelming favorite in the wagering, R Adios Jersey paid $2.40 to win. She probably would have set a stakes record had not Lopez throttled her back in the final yards, still posting a time of 1:22.60, .20 seconds off Surprise Wedding's 2017 stakes mark. Starship Nala finished second and Bramble Berry was third.

R Adios Jersey, who won the Grade 3 Charles Town Oaks on Aug. 27 in her previous start, is owned by Rich Averill's Averill Racing, Anthony Mattera's ATM Racing, and retired major league baseball outfielder Jayson Werth. Georgina Baxter trains the daughter of Adios Charlie-Marion Theatre, by Montbrook, who was bred in the Sunshine State by Ocala Stud and J. Michael O'Farrell, Jr.

First-place money raised R Adios Jersey's career earnings to $427,400.

“That was kind of easy, but when you have a very nice, fast filly like that, it can look easy. I wanted her to go in :22 (seconds) and :46 (for the quarter-mile and the half), but (:21.79) and (:44.35). … she's just very fast,” Lopez said. “She wanted to go so hard but I didn't fight her too much, because she was doing it very comfortable. She was really sharp today and Georgina did a great job getting her ready.”

Lopez has ridden R Adios Jersey in all but one of her starts, including the Charles Town Oaks and the Florida Cup Stonehedge Farm South Sophomore Fillies Stakes here in March.

Bradenton, Fla., resident Averill, who owns Rich Averill Masonry, has built an impressive racing resume since emerging on the scene in 2005 with Florida Oaks and G2 Delaware Oaks winner R Lady Joy. With such prominent stakes winners as Lady's Island, Pay Any Price, R Angel Katelyn, Paradise Dancer, and G2 Saratoga winner R Free Roll to his credit, Averill keeps proving he's a major player.

As is customary when he competes in a stakes race at Tampa Bay Downs, he brought close to 100 family members, co-workers, friends, and friends of friends to enjoy R Adios Jersey's sheer brilliance.

“We wanted this race for the hometown team, and it's great when the plan comes together,” Averill said. “Every race, she has done better and better and better. She's 6 for 6 and you can't ask for more than that. We're taking things one race at a time with her, and we'll figure out what's next.

“I always try to plan a party here with my friends and family and co-workers, and right now it's a feeling of stress relief because I don't have to answer all the questions of 'why didn't you win.' It's fun to get new people into the game, like Anthony, who moved down from New Jersey, and Jayson, and today is a day they will always remember in a good way.”

In the Marion County, Shivaree bettered his record to 5 for 23 the hard way, digging into a deep reserve of desire in the final strides to edge a tiring but game R Mercedes Boy. Samy Camacho rode the winner for breeder-owner Jacks or Better Farm and trainer Ralph Nicks.

Shivaree, the 2020 G1 Curlin Florida Derby runner-up, raised his lifetime bankroll to $546,294.

Camacho said the race unfolded as he expected, with Shivaree making a bold move on the turn for home, until Averill Racing and partners' R Mercedes Boy kept going inside the 1/8-mile pole under Lopez.

“I was a little worried when that horse gave another kick,” said Camacho, who surprised more than a few people by knowing he'd gotten there just in time. “But my horse kept trying. I rode this horse in two stakes at Gulfstream this year and finished second by a neck and second by a head, so I know him and he did a great job. He tries all the time.”

Nicks, who watched the race from Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., was worried when Shivaree went wide on the turn for home. But the son of Awesome of Course-Garter Belt, by Anasheed, seemed to thirst for a victory that was his first in 364 days – since last year's Marion County.

“He's gritty and he's very competitive. He makes up for his size in try,” Nicks said. “I knew he would keep grinding and luckily he had room to get there. Very rarely is he not competitive.”

Shivaree paid $4.40 as the wagering favorite. His time was .90 seconds off his 2020 stakes record. Well Defined, the 2019 G3 Sam F. Davis Stakes winner, finished third, a length and a quarter behind R Mercedes Boy.

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West Virginia Officials Awaiting Split Sample Results On Georgina Baxter-Trained Charles Town Oaks Winner

Georgina Baxter, one of five Florida-based trainers sanctioned on Oct. 1 by Gulfstream Park for violating the track's house rules on clenbuterol, may be in jeopardy of losing her biggest career win after a horse in her care, R Adios Jersey, tested positive for the anti-inflammatory flunixin (trade name Banamine) following the $400,000, Grade 3 Charles Town Oaks in West Virginia on Aug. 27.

West Virginia Racing Commission steward Denver Beckner confirmed the initial finding from Industrial Laboratories in Colorado and said officials are awaiting results of a confirmatory split sample before conducting a hearing to consider possible disqualification of R Adios Jersey and sanctions that could include a fine and/or suspension of Baxter.

R Adios Jersey, a Florida-bred 3-year-old filly by Adios Charlie, is owned by Averill Racing LLC and ATM Racing. Her front-running, 3 1/4-length victory under Paco Lopez was her fourth victory without a defeat. R Adios Jersey earned $230,400 and paid a $12.80 mutuel for the Charles Town Oaks win.

Banamine is a Class 4 drug with a Category C penalty under Association of Racing Commissioners International guidelines. For flunixin, under those guidelines, if the sample tests higher than 5 ng/ml, the recommendation is for a disqualification and loss of purse in the absence of mitigating circumstances. A trainer faces a maximum fine of $1,000 for a first offense in any jurisdiction and a $1,500 fine and 15-day suspension for a second offense in a 365-day period in any jurisdiction, under the ARCI guidelines.

Baxter, a native of England who was a jockey and exercise rider, took over the stable of Ralph Ziadie in 2018 after the latter was denied a license renewal by the Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering because of multiple medication violations. Ralph's son, Kirk Ziadie, who won numerous South Florida training titles during his career, is serving a six-year license suspension for multiple clenbuterol violations that runs through Jan. 10, 2022.

According to the MyFloridaLicense.com website, Baxter has had six complaints filed against her for Class 4 medication violations since August 2018, most recently on Nov. 5, 2020. She served a 25-day suspension earlier last year for three violations that involved impermissible levels of flunixin and phenylbutazone.

According to Equibase, Baxter has won 132 of 502 starts (26%) and her horses have earned $3,999,741.

On Friday, Baxter was one of five trainers suspended by Gulfstream Park for violating the track's house rules concerning clenbuterol. The bronchodilator was detected in 12 horses from five of the 10 stables tested out-of-competition using hair and blood samples. The other trainers sanctioned were Rohan Crichton, Daniel Pita, Peter Walder, and Gilberto Zerpa.

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