Turned Aside | Horse Racing Free Tips

Caravel Headlines Highlander

The fleet-footed filly Caravel (Mizzen Mast) rides a hot streak into her first try for Graham Motion and first at the highest level in the GI Highlander S. at Woodbine. Bred and raced by her previous trainer Elizabeth Merryman, the gray captured The Very One S. at Pimlico May 14 and followed suit with a win in Monmouth's Goldwood S. June 25. Bobby Flay bought into the filly after that score and she carried his silks to victory in Saratoga's GIII Caress S. July 24. While Merryman remains part-owner, Caravel was transferred to Motion after that win as previously agreed upon in the terms of Flay's purchase.

Turned Aside (American Pharoah) seeks redemption in this first try in Grade I company. The handsome bay won four of nine starts for previous trainer Linda Rice, including Saratoga's GIII Quick Call S. and culminating with Aqueduct's Turf Sprint Championship S. last November. Sent through the ring at Keeneland January as part of the dispersal of his late owner Paul Pompa's stock, the 4-year-old summoned $725,000 from West Point Thoroughbreds and D J Stable and was sent to Mark Casse. Turned Aside has not been quite the same horse since leaving New York, finishing fourth in Tampa's Turf Dash S. Feb. 24 and failing to fire when ninth in Keeneland's GII Shakertown S. Apr. 3. He has run well off the layoff in the past and displays a series of strong works over the local synthetic in preparation for this.

City Boy (City Zip) represents the estate of late Woodbine legend Gustav Schickedanz in this event. The hard-knocking 7-year-old has not seen the winner's circle since the 2019 GII Nearctic S., but has finished a close second in this last three outings, most recently in a five-panel turf event here Aug. 1.

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Major Dispersals Drive Overall Gains At Keeneland January Sale

The resiliency of the Thoroughbred industry was highlighted this week at Keeneland's January Horses of All Ages Sale, which ended today with gross sales of more than $45 million, boosted by a number of prominent dispersals: 21 in-foal broodmares from Canada's acclaimed Sam-Son Farm; 39 mares, yearlings and horses of racing age from Lane's End, agent for the Complete Dispersal of the Estate of Paul Pompa Jr.; and 41 mares, yearlings and horses of racing age from Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency, agent for the Dispersal of Spry Family Farm.

At the auction, held Jan. 11-14, a total of 963 horses sold for $45,522,100, for an average of $47,271 and a median of $15,000.

The 2020 January Sale, which covered five sessions, had 1,050 horses sell for $40,453,300, for an average of $38,527 and a median of $13,000.

The Pompa Dispersal recorded sales of $6,790,200, and the Sam-Son Dispersal had sales of $6,733,000. The two dispersals generated the auction's 11 highest prices.

During Tuesday's second session of Book 1, the Sam-Son and Pompa offerings produced two horses each sold for the sale-topping price of $925,000. Gainesway Farm paid the amount for Danceforthecause, a daughter of Giant's Causeway in foal to Twirling Candy, from Sam-Son. Peter Brant's White Birch Farm went to $925,000 for the Animal Kingdom mare Regal Glory, a multiple graded stakes winner for Pompa, via phone bidding with a Keeneland representative.

“The continued stability of the market is a testament to the hard work of all our sales participants, who have adjusted their operations and their expectations to meet the challenges of this unprecedented time,” Keeneland president, CEO and interim head of sales Shannon Arvin said. “The Sam-Son and Pompa dispersals are the legacies of two wonderful operations, and they infused a lot of positive energy into the January Sale. Dispersals are always bittersweet, but we are honored that their families and connections entrusted Keeneland to present these dispersals and showcase their excellence.”

As it did for the 2020 September Yearling and November Breeding Stock Sales, Keeneland held the January Sale with extensive COVID-19 protocols for the health and safety of participants. Consignors were able to post videos and photographs of their horses on Keeneland.com to assist remote buyers in evaluating the catalog offerings. Buyers in attendance could bid from the outdoor Show Barn just behind the Sales Pavilion to permit greater social distancing, while others who did not attend could participate in the bidding by internet or phone.

Via the internet, buyers purchased 109 horses for gross sales of $3,106,900.

“This is our third sale during this uncommon time, and we thank our consignors, buyers and agents for their perseverance and for adapting to the changes we have had to make,” Keeneland director of sales operations Geoffrey Russell said. “As a result, the January Sale was able to provide a steady marketplace. Foals sold well, as did quality broodmares. As we've seen for quite some time, there is a competitive market for a nice horse.”

Keeneland director of sales development Mark Maronde echoed those sentiments.

“The pandemic has been difficult, but trade didn't stop,” Maronde said. “Buyers who were not able to attend found ways to participate. We now look forward to welcoming everyone back to Keeneland, hopefully soon, under more normal circumstances.”

On Day 2 of the sale, the Sam-Son Dispersal offered members of coveted female families nurtured for generations by the multiple award-winning breeding and racing operation founded in 1972 by the late Ernie Samuel. Six horses sold for $400,000 or more. Joining Danceforthecause in that group were Deceptive Vision (sold to Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa for $900,000), Southern Ring (purchased by Phil Schoenthal, agent for Determined Stud for $875,000), Mythical Mission (Shimokobe Farm/Polo Green Stable, agent, $575,000), Fun in the Desert (Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, $530,000) and Theatric (Greg and Caroline Bentley, $400,000).

To help promote the dispersal, Sam-Son conducted a broodmare parade three days before the horses sold. Keeneland director of auctioneers Ryan Mahan and announcer Kurt Becker hosted the event, which Keeneland produced and livestreamed on its website.

“Keeneland was very good to us and the (Samuel) family was grateful for the show that was put on,” Sam-Son Farm manager Dave Whitford said. “Our courtyard (barn area) was wonderful; we could not have asked for better. We were very well received with people looking at our mares. We got a lot of compliments and were very pleased. The people who bought our mares also were very pleased.”

Whitford said the January Sale was a fitting showcase for the mares.

“We talked about waiting until November 2021, but of course we would have to foal all the mares and get them back in foal,” he said. “That would have delayed the process. We were confident we would stand out in January. We were very pleased.”

Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa's two purchases from Sam-Son are half-sisters out of Canadian champion Eye of the Sphynx, by Smart Strike. Deceptive Vision is an 11-year-old daughter of A.P. Indy in foal to War Front who is a full sister to Canadian champion Eye of the Leopard and stakes winners Hotep and Desert Isle. Fun in the Desert, a 10-year-old daughter of Distorted Humor, is the dam of Canadian champion Desert Ride. In foal to Candy Ride (ARG), she is carrying a full sibling to Desert Ride.

During the second session, Schoenthal, agent for Determined, purchased three members of the Sam-Son and Pompa Dispersals among the five horses they acquired through the ring for $2.12 million to be the sale's leading buyer. Their most expensive acquisition, the aforementioned Southern Ring, is a Grade 3-winning daughter of Speightstown in foal to Into Mischief. She is out of stakes winner Seeking the Ring, by Seeking the Gold, and from the family of Canadian champion Catch the Ring.

Into Mischief was the sale's leading covering sire by average (with three or more sold) with three in-foal mares averaging $531,667.

Held during the second and fourth sessions of the sale, the Pompa Dispersal included six horses that brought $500,000 or more.

“Mr. Pompa's program has been meticulously managed and it shows,” Lane's End sales director Allaire Ryan said. “It is nice to see the top agents and buyers giving these horses the respect they deserve. Mr. Pompa would be pleased.”

Among the highest-priced Pompa horses was stakes winner Beautiful Lover, a 5-year-old daughter of Arch sold to Moyglare Stud Farm for $650,000. A half-sister to Grade 2 winner Zivo, Beautiful Lover is scheduled to return to racing.

Schoenthal, agent for Determined, purchased two horses from the Pompa Dispersal. They paid $570,000 for Off Topic, a 5-year-old Grade 1-placed daughter of Street Sense consigned as a racing or broodmare prospect. She is from the family of Grade 1 winners Miner's Mark, Traditionally and My Flag.

They also spent $320,000 for Sustained, an 11-year-old, graded stakes-placed daughter of War Front in foal to Connect. Out of Sweetstorm Amy, by Lemon Drop Kid, Sustained is the dam of Grade 3 winner Turned Aside, who won the Aqueduct Turf Sprint Championship (L) in November and sold to West Point and DJ Stable, L. E. B., agent, for $725,000 during the final session.

Selling to BBA Ireland for $500,000 from the Pompa Dispersal was Regal Glory's dam, Mary's Follies, a 15-year-old daughter of More Than Ready. She also is the dam of Grade 3 winner Night Prowler and Japan Group 3 winner Café Pharoah.

Horses of racing age from the Pompa Dispersal highlighted the final day of the January Sale. The session topper at $875,000 was Carillo, a 3-year-old colt by Union Rags who won his career debut Jan. 8 at Aqueduct and was purchased by Lauren Carlisle, agent. She said the colt would resume his career with trainer Tom Amoss.

“He's an exciting 3-year-old colt and hopefully he improves off (his first) effort and we will try to go longer with him,” Carlisle said. “We didn't want to spend that much but if you're in the market for a 3-year-old colt before (the Kentucky Derby) you're going to have to spend. We're happy to get him.”

Other top sellers from the Pompa Dispersal on the final day were the aforementioned Turned Aside ($725,000), Untreated (sold to Steven W. Young, agent, for $300,000), debut winner Spirit Maker (David Ingordo, $200,000), winner Perceived (DJ Stable, $140,000) and Grade 3 winner Country Grammer (WinStar Farm, $110,000).

West Point's Terry Finley said Turned Aside would be sent to trainer Mark Casse in Ocala, Florida.

“It is very rare to find a horse like this (to buy),” Finley said. “(Turned Aside's former trainer) Linda Rice did a great job with him. I got to know Paul about 10 years ago. He was a kind and classy guy, and you never heard a cross word about Paul Pompa. I hope we can carry on his legacy. He built a beautiful program. They won and they did it in style. I was a huge fan. We in the industry are heartbroken and sad that we don't have Paul around anymore. We will do our best to sustain his legacy.”

Held on the first and third days of the auction, the Spry Dispersal resulted in total sales of $1,405,900, led by Sand Hill Stables' purchase of the Maclean's Music yearling colt Mac's Prize on opening day for $200,000. He is out of the Tapit mare Heavenly Tap, a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Instilled Regard and from the family of champion Heavenly Prize and Grade 1 winners Oh What a Windfall, Good Reward and Persistently.

Acquiring seven horses for $1,654,000, Larry Best's OXO Equine was second among buyers at the January Sale by expenditures. Best purchased the three highest-priced yearlings: a colt by Munnings, who topped the opening session at $475,000, along with a $400,000 filly from the first crop of City of Light and a $320,000 filly by Speightstown.

Hunter Valley Farm, agent, consigned the son of Munnings. Lane's End, agent, sold the filly by City of Light, and Buck Pond Farm, agent, consigned the daughter of Speightstown.

City of Light was the sale's leading sire of yearlings with eight horses selling for $1,225,500.

On Thursday's final session, 255 horses sold for $5,729,000, for an average of $22,467 and a median of $7,000.

Lane's End, agent, was the January Sale's leading consignor, selling 78 horses for $8,741,200.

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Pompa Dispersal Marks End of an Era

The late longtime owner and breeder Paul Pompa, Jr., was a prominent figure in horse racing over the past two decades. The former owner of Truck Rite Corp. campaigned the likes of dual Classic winner Big Brown (Boundary) and champion Stardom Bound (Tapit) in partnership and was the sole owner of Grade I winners Connect (Curlin) and Backseat Rhythm (El Corredor). Several Pompa homebreds carried his silks to graded victories, such as Night Prowler (Giant’s Causeway), Regal Glory (Animal Kingdom) and Turned Aside (American Pharoah).

The latter two are among a group of 39 Pompa-owned horses to be offered in a complete dispersal at the upcoming Keeneland January sale due to Pompa’s unexpected passing Oct. 10.

“Paul’s family was really not involved in horses,” said Jerry McClenin, Pompa’s cousin-in-law and stable manager. “They’d come to the track to see a race here and there. Paul had instructed me, that if anything were to happen to him, to disperse all of the horses. He had cancer a few years ago and he told me this back then. He placed it in his will also.”

Lane’s End is handling the dispersal, which includes 17 racing/breeding prospects, 12 broodmares and 10 short yearlings, most of whom are by Pompa’s GI Cigar Mile hero Connect.

“Honestly, this is the kind of situation you hate to be in as a farm and as a consignor,” Lane’s End’s Director of Sales Allaire Ryan said. “It goes without saying that we are doing this with heavy hearts. Mr. Pompa was such a hands-on owner. Anything I did for him, I always worked directly with him from start to finish. He was so passionate about horses and racing as a fan, caretaker and investor. Those are the types of people this industry needs.”

Ryan continued, “This dispersal is a sad thing to go through, but at the same time we are very proud of it. For Mr. Pompa to entrust Lane’s End with his breeding stock and his stallion Connect was huge. It was a big honor for us. He was a client you quickly grew to love and admire. We hope it goes well and is something he would be proud of.”

One of the most attractive offerings in the sale is Pompa’s homebred MGSW Regal Glory (Hip 403). Out of fellow MGSW Mary’s Follies (More Than Ready), the 5-year-old mare currently boasts a record of 11-6-3-0 with earnings of $773,884. Trained by Chad Brown, the chestnut captured the Penn Oaks, GIII Lake George S. and GII Lake Placid S. in 2019 and placed in two additional graded events. Kicking off 2020 with a second to her MGISW stablemate Newspaperofrecord (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) in Belmont’s GIII Intercontinental S. June 6, Regal Glory was fourth to that foe again in that venue’s GI Just a Game S. 21 days later and closed out the year with a win in the GIII Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf S. Sept. 12.

“She is a lovely mare,” said Ryan. “Mr. Pompa was such a good caretaker of his horses. He always did right by the horses. This mare was so well managed between Mr. Pompa and Chad Brown. On top of her race record, she is a beautiful physical. She is going to have a lot of appeal to buyers.”

Her dam Mary’s Follies (Hip 725) and her now-yearling half-brother by Connect (Hip 726) will also be available at Keeneland next week. Pompa privately purchased Mary’s Follies after her victory in the 2009 GIII Boiling Springs S. at Monmouth Park for trainer John Forbes. Transferred to Rick Dutrow, the bay finished second in the Lake George in her first start for Pompa and went on to win the GII Mrs. Revere S. at Churchill in 2010. The now-15-year-old mare has been a blue hen for Pompa’s operation. Her first foal, Night Prowler, carried Pompa’s silks for five seasons, winning two graded events and placing in two others. He was claimed away from Pompa in 2018 and won the Barbados Gold Cup this term. Regal Glory was her fourth foal and she was followed by Café Pharoah (American Pharoah), a $475,000 OBSMAR buy, who is a multiple graded stakes winner in Japan.

“She looks like a 10-year-old mare,” Ryan said of Mary’s Follies. “She is a beautiful mare, all quality and looks a lot like More Than Ready. She is correct and is just one of those solid citizen mares that, when you see her, you can completely understand why she has been so successful. Unfortunately, she is not pregnant, but she would be a very valuable addition to anyone’s breeding program. She has been a very versatile mare and the cornerstone of his breeding operation to date.”

Another major highlight of the Pompa consignment is the ultra-consistent Grade III winner Turned Aside (Hip 1563). Winning twice as a juvenile in 2019, the Linda Rice trainee kicked off his sophomore season last term with a second in Belmont’s Sir Cat S. and scored a decisive victory in Saratoga’s GIII Quick Call S. next out. The bay did not appear fond of the unusual turf course at Kentucky Downs when fifth in the GIII Franklin-Simpson S. in September. Turned Aside got right back to his winning ways when he returned to New York, defeating the likes of GI Woodbine Mile winner El Tormenta (Stormy Atlantic) in the Aqueduct Turf Sprint Championship S. last time out Nov. 28. Only off the board twice in his career thus far, the homebred currently has a record of 9-4-2-1 and earnings of $241,967.

“He’s definitely an exciting prospect,” Ryan said. “Obviously, a turn-key opportunity for somebody looking to go back to the racetrack and have some fun. He has been a really honest, consistent racehorse. American Pharoah is off to a great start. He is out of a young, stakes-placed War Front mare, who Mr. Pompa raced himself. He is coming into this sale in very good shape and I think he is going to generate plenty of interest.”

Turned Aside’s graded stakes-placed dam Sustained (War Front) is offered as Hip 463 and her short-yearling colt by Connect follows her as Hip 464. The 10-year-old mare is back in foal to Connect.

Pompa’s broodmare band is full of quality, but two other standouts are the Bernardini mares Proper Mad (Hip 793) and Seaside Escape (Hip 425). Out of SW Private Gift (Unbridled), Proper Mad is a half to MSW & GSP Secret Someone (A.P. Indy) and the dam of Grade I-winning millionaire Dunbar Road (Quality Road). A daughter of GSW & MGISP Promenade Girl (Carson City), Seaside Escape is a half to MGISW and multi-millionaire Cavorting (Bernardini). Both mares are in foal to Connect.

Country Grammer (Tonalist), who also carried Pompa’s red, green and white colors to a graded win in 2020, is likely to be popular with buyers at Keeneland (Hip 1568). A $450,000 OBSAPR acquisition, the bay was third in his seasonal debut last June in a Belmont allowance, but captured the GIII Peter Pan S., which was run at Saratoga last year, in his next start. Last seen finishing fifth in the GI Runhappy Travers S. Aug. 8, the Chad Brown pupil currently has a record of 6-2-0-1 and earnings of $157,320.

“He is back in training at WinStar and looks magnificent,” said Ryan. “He was given a little time off, but is back under tack now and jogging up to the sale. He is a picture of a horse, talk about size, scope and balance. He is an accomplished horse already and quality individual.”

The Pompa dispersal also includes a promising group of newly minted sophomores, topped by impressive debut winner Spirit Maker (Empire Maker) (Hip 1561). Running well back off the pace in eighth in his Nov. 28 unveiling at Aqueduct, the $330,000 OBSAPR buy rallied smartly in the lane to earn his diploma for trainer Todd Pletcher.

“He is definitely an exciting prospect just based on the talent that he showed in his first start back in November,” Ryan said. “He is another horse who has been really well managed and is owned in partnership with WinStar. He should also appeal to anybody looking for something turn key. It was a race that gave him a bit of an education. It was not an easy trip and he handled it professionally.”

Some of the Pompa Estate’s other 3-year-olds could have some timely updates in races this weekend. Homebred Carillo (Union Rags) (Hip 1566) debuts in race six at Aqueduct Friday against fellow Pompa colorbearer Cost Average (Speightster) (Hip 1567). The former is trained by Brown and the latter is making his third start for Pletcher. Brown is also unveiling Untreated (Nyquist) (Hip 1564), a $550,000 KEESEP acquisition, in the fifth race at Gulfstream Saturday.

The Keeneland January Sale kicks off Monday, but the first Pompa horse to go through the ring will be Regal Glory at the start of Tuesday’s session.

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Keeneland January Sale To Include Paul Pompa Jr. Dispersal

Keeneland will offer 39 horses in the complete dispersal of the late Paul P. Pompa Jr. – including Turned Aside, winner of Saturday's Aqueduct Turf Sprint Championship, and additional 2020 Grade 3 winners Country Grammer and Regal Glory – during the 2021 January Horses of All Ages Sale, to be held Jan. 11-14.

Lane's End will serve as agent for the consignment, which consists of broodmares, foals of 2020, horses of racing age and broodmare or stallion prospects.

The January Sale catalog is scheduled to be online at Keeneland.com on Dec. 8.

“Mr. Pompa's industry involvement was admirable on every level,” Lane's End sales director Allaire Ryan said. “He was dedicated to and ever enthusiastic about his investments as a breeder, owner and fan. He created strong relationships around a lifelong passion and never wavered from his philosophy to do right by his stock and enjoy the sport. The success of his breeding and racing operations is a direct result of his daily involvement with trainers, farm staff, agents and caretakers alike. We have valued the opportunity to care for his horses at Lane's End and will be proud to stand behind his offerings at the January Sale.”

Eight mares in the Pompa dispersal are in foal to Connect, a Grade 1-winning son of Curlin who raced for Pompa and stands at Lane's End.

Among the horses cataloged in the dispersal are these broodmares and foals of 2020:

Mary's Follies, a Grade 2 winner by More Than Ready who is the dam of multiple graded stakes winners Night Prowler and Regal Glory as well as 2020 Japanese multiple Group 3 winner Cafe Pharoah.
A colt by Connect-Mary's Follies foaled in 2020.
Sustained, a Grade 3-placed daughter of War Front who is the dam of Turned Aside and is in foal to Connect.

These fillies of racing age:

Off Topic, a Grade 1-placed 4-year-old filly by Street Sense.
Regal Glory, a Grade 2-winning 4-year-old daughter of Animal Kingdom who has earned $773,884. Winner of the Grade 3 Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf in her most recent race, Regal Glory also won the G2 Lake Placid and G3 Lake George at Saratoga along with the Penn Oaks and Stewart Manor Stakes.

These colts of racing age:

Country Grammer, a 3-year-old son of Tonalist who won this year's G3 Peter Pan.
Spirit Maker, a 2-year-old colt by Empire Maker who won his career debut Saturday at Aqueduct by 1 3/4 lengths.
Turned Aside, a 3-year-old colt by American Pharoah who won the G3 Quick Call at Saratoga in July and most recently captured the Aqueduct Turf Sprint Championship by 1 1/4 lengths. He has four wins in nine starts with earnings of $241,967.

“We have great respect for Paul – as a horseman, businessman and person – and were so saddened by his passing. Keeneland is honored to be given the responsibility of presenting the Pompa dispersal,” Keeneland president-elect and interim head of sales Shannon Arvin said. “Our relationship with Paul includes his purchase of future Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown at the 2007 Keeneland April Sale, and we have been thrilled to have several horses from his stable win stakes races here at Keeneland.”

At the 2007 April 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, Pompa paid $190,000 for Big Brown through Hidden Brook, agent, from the consignment of Eddie Woods, agent. Raced by Pompa in partnership, Big Brown captured his first five races, including the 2008 G1 Florida Derby, Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. The son of Boundary closed the season with victories in the G1 Haskell Invitational and Monmouth Stakes en route to earning the Eclipse Award as champion 3-year-old male.

At Keeneland, Pompa campaigned Night Prowler to win the 2015 G3 Transylvania. In partnership with Stephen Yarbrough and Anthony Grey, he raced Franny Freud to win the 2010 G2 Beaumont.

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