After the Auction: Early Entry

As an avid fan of sales with possible aspirations to become an adviser/bloodstock agent, auctions are one of my favorite topics to write about on Past the Grandstand. “After the Auctions” feature horses I selected in sales that have found success after the sale. These posts are generally just brief overviews of these horses’ racing records and pedigrees.

The first four career starts of Early Entry’s career took place at Calder Race Course, serving as a launching pad for the young chestnut colt. The first two starts of Early Entry’s career were disappointing, resulting in fourth and sixth place finishes, respectively. But in his third outing, the chestnut colt gave his connections hope, finishing second.

In his fourth start, Early Entry finally discovered the path to the winner’s circle. Pressing the pace throughout the six and one-half-furlong maiden special weight, the colt drew clear in the final stages of the race to score by 1 ½ lengths.

This victory gave his connections enough optimism to enter him in today’s Inaugural Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. Going six furlongs over the main oval at the western Florida track, Early Entry will face seven others – including Cool Cowboy, who owns two runaway victories at tracks in Illinois, and Pallium Prize, a stakes-placed runner.

As one of my selections from this year’s OBS March Sale, Early Entry failed to reach his reserve, attaining a final bid of only $32,000. But he has taken steps toward proving reluctant buyers wrong and he will do just that should he find stakes success, whether it come in today’s Inaugural Stakes or a later black-type event.

Pedigree Analysis

Early Entry is a son of the multiple graded stakes-winning Keyed Entry, who is the sire of the black-type-placed Hyena in his young career as a stallion. Keyed Entry is a son of Honour and Glory, who produced numerous grade one winners, including the champions Caressing and Indio Glorioso.

The dam of Early Entry, Bright N Early, has also produced the multiple black-type-winning mare Bright Gold. Bright Gold, in turn, begat a pair of black-type runners. Early Entry descends from a prolific female family, being a direct descendant of Ormonda, an outstanding broodmare who was the granddam of Triple Crown hero Whirlaway.

Early Entry clearly comes from humble beginnings. His pedigree, though respectable, is far from magnificent. No one wanted him when he was offered at the OBS March Sale. And his racing career got off to a slow start at the underestimated Calder Race Course. It is a long shot that he will reach stardom, but Early Entry seems to be on track for proving his doubters wrong.

After the Auction: Our Amazing Rose

As an avid fan of sales with possible aspirations to become an adviser/bloodstock agent, auctions are one of my favorite topics to write about on Past the Grandstand. “After the Auctions” feature horses I selected in sales that have found success after the sale. *Note: If an “After the Auction” features a two-year-old, it will also be listed as a “Juvenile Spotlight.”

Each year at Saratoga, Todd Pletcher unveils a multitude of brilliant two-year-olds – juveniles that display scintillating speed as they coast to dominant victories. This year has been no different, but perhaps his most impressive two-year-old maiden winner at the Spa this year is a filly named Our Amazing Rose.

One of my selections from this year’s OBS March Sale, the filly – consigned as hip 296 by Top Line Sales, LLC – was purchased by Repole Stables for $325,000, ranking her among the fifteen most expensive horses sold. Now, as an impressive debut winner at Saratoga for Mike Repole and Todd Pletcher, she has joined the likes of champion Uncle Mo and grade one winner Overanalyze.

Sent off as the heavy favorite in a five-furlong maiden special weight over Saratoga’s dirt oval, Our Amazing Rose raced in second as the only filly with racing experience, Zip On, took a clear, early lead. With that pair several lengths clear of the other runners, Our Amazing Rose overtook Zip On with ease around the far turn, galloping past that rival as if she was standing still. In a breathtakingly effortless manner, she coasted to the front, lengthening her advantage on the field as she turned for home. With great power and grace, she finished 7 ¾ lengths clear of the rest.

Our Amazing Rose will try to join a long, star-studded list of open-length maiden winners at Saratoga that have gone on to be elite athletes. Only time will tell if she can become the next Indian Blessing, but she has certainly looked the part thus far.

Pedigree Analysis

Yes It's True
Photo by Terri Cage

Our Amazing Rose is among the talented army of Yes It’s True juveniles that have accumulated a large amount of wins this year, leaving him as the leading sire of two-year-olds in North America and the second-leading sire of juveniles on an international scale. Our Amazing Rose shares her sire with the graded stakes winners Actin Good, Aikenite, Chantrue, Off Duty, Nordic Truce, Proud Accolade, Yesbyjimminy, and Yes He’s the Man.

The pedigree of Yes It’s True is rather understated, but also lined with indicators that he would become the successful sire he is. His sire, Is It True, only produced a pair of grade one winners – including Yes It’s True himself – but is by Raja Baba, the leading North American sire of 1980. Raja Baba was a fairly productive sire of sires, producing not only Is It True, but Royal Ski and Well Decorated.

The dam of Yes It’s True, Clever Monique, was a profitable producer, also yielding the multiple stakes-winning Honest Deceiver. Intriguingly, Yes It’s True’s seventh dam is Dancing Date, the dam of Terrang, who captured a record ten stakes events at Santa Anita. Yes It’s True is a descendant of American family one, the same female family that has yielded the grade one victors Gato Del Sol, Germany, and Tizway.

Yes It’s True’s broodmare sire is Clever Trick, who was also the damsire of such grade one winners as Came Home, Elegant Fashion, Nothingtolose, and Victors Cry. Clever Trick’s sire is Icecapade, a half-brother to the great Ruffian. Interestingly, Yes It’s True only has one trace of Native Dancer in his pedigree, which comes through Shenanigans – the dam of Icecapade and Ruffian.

The dam of Our Amazing Rose, Just For You, is a daughter of Silver Deputy – a terrific broodmare sire. The son of Deputy Minister – a champion racehorse and broodmare sire – is the maternal grandsire of the likes of champion Groupie Doll, as well as the grade one-winning sires El Corredor and Roman Ruler and the additional graded stakes winners Miraculous Miss, Preachinatthebar, and Quiet Temper.

Just For You is a half-sister to the graded stakes-winning Minister’s Melody, who yielded the grade one-winning Bob and John. She is a granddaughter of the great broodmare Too Bald, a stakes-winning Reine De Course mare that was honored as Broodmare of the Year in 1986. Dam of five stakes winners, Too Bald’s most notable foals were the ill-fated, eleven-time grade/group one winner Exceller and champion Capote. Our Amazing Rose’s fourth and fifth dams – Hidden Talent and Dangerous Dame, respectively – are also Reine De Course mares.

Some paragraphs were drawn from my article "Stallion Feature: Yes It's True" from July 5, 2012

After the Auction: I Will Be Free

As an avid fan of sales with possible aspirations to become an adviser/bloodstock agent, auctions are one of my favorite topics to write about on Past the Grandstand. “After the Auctions” feature horses I selected in sales that have found success after the sale. *Note: If an “After the Auction” features a two-year-old, it will also be listed as a “Juvenile Spotlight.”

The OBS March Sale has recurrently produced talented racehorses, including the grade one winners Camp Victory, Plum Pretty, and Spring in the Air. Looking to add her name to the long list of successful OBS March graduates is I Will Be Free – one of my selections from this year’s OBS March Sale.

Prior to being sold for $115,000, I Will Be Free impressed me with her 10-second breeze in the preview show, having noteworthy lift to her shoulder, which allowed her to run with lengthy, athletic strides while remaining quick-legged. Three months after this breeze, I Will Be Free debuted at Calder Race Course and despite a less than perfect trip, rallied to finish a good second.

As a result of her noteworthy performance in her debut, I Will Be Free was sent off as the heavy favorite in her second start. Facing five rivals over a five-furlong journey at Calder, I Will Be Free pressed the pace set by the second betting choice prior to edging to the front around the far turn. I Will Be Free drew away and remained clear to score by 2 ½ lengths.

I Will Be Free is a member of champion sprinter Kodiak Kowboy’s first crop. Through his multiple graded stakes-winning sire, Posse, Kodiak Kowboy is a grandson of Silver Deputy, the sire of a multitude of millionaires – including the Hall of Famer Silverbulletday – and a handful of successful stallions, such as Badge of Silver and Spring At Last. The dam of I Will Be Free is the graded stakes-placed Mrs. M, which makes her a half-sister to the black-type-placed Dan the Tin Man.

In spite of her less than spectacular bloodlines, I Will Be Free has quickly found success and could easily prove to be a useful racehorse. What the future holds for her is a mystery, but she clearly has talent.

Part Two: 2013 OBS March Sale of Selected Two-Year-Olds in Training

The OBS March Sale allowed the positive attitude regarding two-year-old sales season to skyrocket, as a record average and median were set, as well as a tied record sales topper. The auction spanned a pair of sessions – one on Tuesday and one on Wednesday. By the conclusion of the sale, 182 of the 345 cataloged horses sold for an average price of $158,632. Of my top 23 selections, 16 sold, 5 did not reach their reserve, and 2 were declared out of the auction. My top picks sold for a total of $3,008,000 - with an average of $180,000 - $21,368 more than the entire sale’s average.

Listed below are the horses featured in Part One, with descriptions of the results of the auction:

Hip #25: Sold to Doble Jak Investments LLC for $23,000.

Hip #47: Purchased by Barry Berkelhammer, Agent for $140,000.

Hip #61: Drove the hammer to $60,000, but did not reach his set reserve.

Hip #65: Sold for $90,000 to L E B.

Hip #75: Sold post-sale to Reddam Racing LLC for $210,000.

Hip #98: Purchased for $340,000 by Pelican LLC, Peter Miller, Agent.

Hip #110: Acquired by Barry Berkelhammer, Agent for $90,000.

Hip #129: This colt, who was one of my selections at the 2012 Fasig-Tipton July Sale, was declared out of the sale.

Hip #135: Purchased by JK Racing Stable LLC for $115,000.

Hip #144: For the price of $50,000, this filly was bought by Rontos Racing Stable Corporation.

Hip #154: Sold post-sale for $45,000 to Bradley Thoroughbreds LLC, Agent.

Hip #163: Reached a final bid of $95,000 but did not reach his reserve.

Hip #186: Drove hammer to $32,000 without attaining his reserve.

Hip #195: Sold to McMahon and Hill Bloodstock, Agent for $140,000.

Hip #198: Purchased post-sale by Long Lake Stables LLC for $40,000.

Hip #199: This colt was withdrawn from the sale.

Hip #266: Bought by John McKay, Agent for $370,000.

Hip #277: Reached a final bid of $55,000 but did not reach her reserve.

Hip #285: Purchased by Cheyenne Stables LLC for $400,000.

Hip #296: Sold to Repole Stables for $325,000.

Hip #304: Drove the hammer to $45,000 but did not reach his reserve.

Hip #341: Sold for $115,000 to Champion Equine LLC.

Hip #343: Purchased by Gary Young, Agent for Deron Pearson for $485,000.

Part One: 2013 OBS March Sale of Selected Two-Year-Olds in Training

Fasig-Tipton and Keeneland are the two most well-known Thoroughbred sales companies in North America, but also among the highest quality, most familiar American auction firms is the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company, or OBS. Based in Ocala, Florida, OBS is home to several annual sales, including three sales for juveniles.

Among such auctions is OBS’ initial juvenile sale of the year, the OBS Selected Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training, or the OBS March Sale. Recent graduates of this auction include the grade one winners Camp Victory, Plum Pretty, and Spring in the Air, as well as the 2013 Derby hopefuls Itsmyluckyday and Revolutionary. Over time, the sale has produced the likes of a dozen Breeders’ Cup victors and 17 champions.

345 two-year-olds were cataloged for the 2013 edition of this sale, down seventeen horses from last year. The auction entrants took to the track on Thursday and Friday (March 7 and 8) for the under-tack show. The sale itself will also be divided into two sessions: hips 1-172 are set to go through the sales ring on Tuesday, March 12 whereas hips 173-345 will take their turn on Wednesday, March 13.

Listed below are the twenty-three horses I was most impressed with, based primarily on their performances in the breeze show, though weight was placed upon pedigree as well. Conformation was not used as a judging factor due it not being accessible for all horses. I will do a follow-up piece after the sale, spotlighting these horses again with the results of the auction.

Hip #25: Though she struggled with maintaining the correct lead, this filly displayed rather impressive length of stride throughout her breeze despite traveling with too much unnecessary knee action. The time for her one-furlong work was 10 1/5 seconds.

Sired by a grade one-winning son of Forest Wildcat in D’wildcat, hip 25 is a three-quarters sister to the multiple stakes-winning John Johny Jak. Her second dam produced a graded stakes-winning, grade one-placed mare that became a productive broodmare.

Hip 25 is consigned by Halcyon Hammock Farm, Agent II.

Hip #47: In a brisk 10-second-flat breeze, this colt moved powerfully and quickly, though performing with less fluid action and less lift to the shoulder than I would like to see.

Sharing a sire with nine grade one winners in Elusive Quality, hip 47’s second dam is Ruby’s Ransom, a half-sister to two group one winners and producer of the graded/group stakes winners Sacred Song and Strut the Stage.

Hip 47 is consigned by Sequel Bloodstock, Inc. (Becky Thomas), Agent.

Hip #61: Despite holding his head too high, this colt turned in a very impressive work, allowing imposing extension to his stride as a result of remarkable lift to his shoulder. The colt also displayed a flat knee while striding out to record a 10 1/5-second breeze.

A son of the promising Tiz Wonderful, who tends to throw good-looking individuals, hip 61 is out of a half-sister to a graded stakes winner. This colt is bred on the same successful Tiznow/Mr. Prospector sire line cross as the grade one winners Bullsbay and Gemologist.

Hip 61 is consigned by Wavertree Stables, Inc. (Ciaran Dunne), Agent XVI.

Hip #65: Though displaying a bit too much knee in his 10 2/5-second breeze, hip 65 performed with much lift to his shoulder, thus permitting him to gallop with a powerful, lengthy stride.

By the sire of a pair of champions in Exchange Rate, hip 65 is out of a black-type-winning half-sister to a graded stakes winner. The Danzig/Sky Classic sire line cross on which this colt was bred also produced the group one-winning Speciosa.

Hip 65 is consigned by All in Sales (Tony Bowling), Agent.

Hip #75: This colt turned in a 10 1/5-second clocking for his one-furlong work. The chestnut moved commandingly, lifting his shoulders to allow a flat knee and authoritative stride.

Sired by the on-fire Tapit, hip 75 is out of a black-type-winning mare and is bred on the same Tapit/Northern Dancer sire line cross as the grade one winners Laragh and Tapizar.

Hip 75 is consigned by Wavertree Stables, Inc. (Ciaran Dunne), Agent XIV.

Hip #98: Despite traveling with a bit too much knee, this filly was an efficient mover, traveling with a lengthy stride while completing one-furlong in 10 1/5 seconds.

A daughter of the graded stakes-producing High Cotton, hip 98 is a half-sister to the graded stakes-winning Den’s Legacy. The filly’s second dam produced four black-type horses, including the grade one-winning C. S. Silk and the graded stakes-winning Remember Sheikh.

Hip 98 is consigned by SGV Thoroughbreds (Steven Venosa), Agent.

Hip #110: Like my other Tiz Wonderful selection, this colt kept his head too high throughout his 10 3/5-second breeze. Though traveling with a slight amount of unnecessary knee action, hip 110 moved in strong fashion, performing with much lift to his shoulder and noteworthy length to his stride.

Though this colt’s pedigree is rather understated, hip 110 is bred on a cross similar to the grade one-winning Bullsbay.

Hip 110 is consigned by Niall Brennan Stables, Agent VI.

Hip #129: Though this colt traveled on the wrong lead and could have been flatter about the knee, hip 129 moved powerfully, lifting his shoulder to allow for a fairly long stride. The final time for his work was 10 3/5 seconds.

A son of the blazing Harlan’s Holiday, hip 129 is a half-sister to the graded stakes-winning Tajaaweed. The colt’s second dam produced the multiple graded stakes-winning and grade one-placed sire Mr. Greeley, as well as the black-type-winning granddam of Street Sense. This colt was one of my selections at the 2012 Fasig-Tipton July Sale for yearlings.

Hip 129 is consigned by Eddie Woods, Agent XLII.

Hip #135: This colt carried his head too high, was a bit erratic with the front legs, and ran greenly, changing leads, but moved in a robust manner, covering much ground with his stride to complete his breeze in 10 2/5 seconds.

Among the second crop of the graded stakes-winning Horse Greeley, hip 135 is a half-brother to the graded stakes-winning Strike the Bell. The granddam of this colt produced two black-type winners that each foaled a grade one winner.

Hip 135 is consigned by Eisaman Equine, Agent.

Hip #144: Traveling with a commanding, quick-legged stride, this filly displayed a small excess of unattractive knee action but remained an efficient mover in her 10 1/5-second breeze.

A member of the multiple grade one-winning Pioneerof the Nile’s first crop, hip 144 is a half-sister to a black-type-placed gelding. Intriguingly, this filly is a direct descendant of the great mare Twilight Tear.

Hip 144 is consigned by All In Sales (Tony Bowling), Agent.

Hip #154: Though exhibiting a bit too much knee, hip 154 traveled in an imposing manner, using his shoulders to allow for a powerful stride. The final time for his breeze was 10 2/5 seconds.

By the late champion War Pass, hip 154 is a half-brother to a pair of graded stakes performers, including a graded stakes winner. He is a direct descendant of the Oaks Stakes victress Sunny Jane.

Hip 154 is consigned by de Meric Sales, Agent I.

Hip #163: Going a quarter-mile in 21 2/5 seconds, this colt was less fluid about his stride than he could be due to sloppy knee action but moved robustly.

Sired by the graded stakes-producing Yes It’s True, hip 163 is a half-brother to the graded stakes-winning Areyoutalkintome and is out of a half-sister to the graded stakes-winning Elaborate.

Hip 163 is consigned by Craig L. Wheeler, Agent.

Hip #186: Although he ran greenly throughout his breeze, hip 186 was a powerful mover, lifting greatly from his shoulder to allow a rather flat knee, though he did appear to run too widely with his front legs. The colt finished his breeze in 10 1/5 seconds.

A member of Keyed Entry’s second crop, hip 186 is a half-brother to a stakes winner that produced a pair of black-type runners. This colt descends from a prolific female family, being a direct descendant of Ormonda, an outstanding broodmare who was the granddam of Triple Crown hero Whirlaway.

Hip 186 is consigned by Boutte Sales, Agent I.

Hip #195: Despite showing slightly excessive knee action, this colt was a professional mover, galloping with a lengthy, effortless stride to complete his one-furlong work in 10 1/5 seconds.

A son of A.P. Indy’s grade one-producing champion Mineshaft, hip 195 descends from a rather nondescript dam line, though he is from the same family as the grade one-winning Storm Tower.

Hip 195 is consigned by Wavertree Stables, Inc. (Ciaran Dunne), Agent.

Hip #198: Though he displayed too much knee, this colt allowed enough lift to his shoulders to provide for a long stride. He breezed in 10 3/5 seconds.

Sired by the producer of an abundance of grade one winners in Mr. Greeley, hip 198 is not only a sibling to a graded stakes winner and a black-type-winner, but is out of a black-type-winning half-sister to the grade one winners Editor’s Note and Hold That Tiger.

Hip 198 is consigned by Woodford Thoroughbreds, Agent.

Hip #199: Completing his breeze in 10 seconds flat, this colt could have galloped more fluidly, but nonetheless exhibited a long, powerful stride.

Among Old Fashioned’s first crop, hip 199 is out of the grade one-winning Celtic Melody. The Unbridled’s Song/Gone West sire line cross on which this colt is bred is the same that produced the graded stakes winners Forest Music and Praying for Cash.

Hip 199 is consigned by Sequel Bloodstock, Inc. (Becky Thomas), Agent.

Hip #266: Although not as smooth-strided about the front legs as I would like to see, this filly traveled with vigorous, quick strides, breezing in 10 seconds flat.

A half-sister to one of my two-year-olds sales selections of 2012, Brown Eyes Blue, hip 266 is out of a half-sister to three black-type winners, two of which were graded stakes winners. This filly is from the family of champion Sunshine Forever.

Hip 266 is consigned by Wavertree Stables, Inc. (Ciaran Dunne), Agent VI.

Hip #277: Though she could have extended her stride more greatly and been more even about her front legs, this filly was fairly efficient in her 10 4/5-second work.

A daughter of the promising Big Brown, hip 277 is out of a half-sister to four black-type winners, including the champion Countess Diana.

Hip 277 is consigned by Niall Brennan Stables, Agent XVI.

Hip #285: Despite struggling with his leads, this flashy colt performed in strong fashion, appearing powerful while posting a time of 10 1/5 seconds.

Sharing his sire with three grade one winners in Congrats, hip 285 is out of the black-type-winning, graded stakes-placed Icy Warning. This makes him a half-brother to a pair of black-type winners, as well as the producers of two graded stakes winners.

Hip 285 is consigned by Eisaman Equine, Agent.

Hip #296: Recording one of the fastest works of the under-tack show by going a furlong in 9 4/5 seconds, this filly demonstrated impressive lift to her shoulders and traveled in a strapping manner.

A daughter of the graded stakes-producing Yes It’s True, this filly’s stakes-placed second dam, My Song for You, is a half-sister to the grade one winners Capote and Exceller. My Song for You produced the graded stakes-winning Minister’s Melody, who yielded several black-type horses, including the grade one-winning Bob and John.

Hip 296 is consigned by Top Line Sales, LLC, Agent.

Hip #304: Though this colt could have traveled more fluidly, he appeared robust, eating up the ground with his long stride. He completed his one-furlong work in 10 3/5 seconds.

This colt is sired by a top Argentinian sire in Indygo Shiner and is out of a black-type-placed sister to several black-type horses, including the multiple graded stakes-winning Eagleton. The A.P. Indy/Mr. Prospector sire line cross on which hip 304 is bred is the same one that produced the grade one victors A Z Warrior and Rail Trip.

Hip 304 is consigned by Boutte Sales, Agent I.

Hip #341: This filly recorded a 10-second flat breeze, and though she struggled to maintain the correct lead, hip 341 had noteworthy lift to her shoulder, allowing her to run with lengthy, athletic strides while remaining quick-legged.

A member of champion Kodiak Kowboy’s first crop, hip 341 is out of the graded stakes-placed Mrs. M, making her a half-sister to the black-type-placed Dan the Tin Man.

Hip 341 is consigned by All In Sales (Tony Bowling), Agent.

Hip #343: Although he displayed too much knee, hip 343 was a professional mover, traveling with good extension of stride to record a 10 1/5-second breeze.

Sired by the thriving Malibu Moon, this colt is out of a half-sister to three graded stakes winners and the producers of many talented horses, including an Irish champion and a grade one winner.

Hip 343 is consigned by Eisaman Equine, Agent.