by James Platz

Anvil and Lace Farm sold 30 yearlings at Lexington last fall, grossing just over $1.9 million. Beth Yontz and her dedicated team plan to build on that momentum with a 2022 consignment that is nearly double in size with much to offer at every tier. The Cynthiana, KY farm will offer 56 yearlings featuring pedigrees with both Grand Circuit focus and regional appeal.

“I have yearlings that can compete with the big boys all the way down to ones that can compete more regionally,” she said.

Anvil and Lace will not have a yearling selling on opening night, and Yontz is fine with that due to the “tricky” nature of the first night.

“Personally, I think you just have to have that perfect horse. Last year we sold one, Workin Ona Mystery’s sister, who sold very well the first day. That’s where she belonged. She was a big, strapping filly, everything matched up, stars aligned, she sold very well,” Yontz said. “I think in other cases, you put a horse on the first day that isn’t absolutely perfect, you really get hurt. I think that first day is really tricky, personally. I feel like a couple of those, we were in discussion. We were on the fence on first or second day. If there is a question, if we have to talk about it, I go back a day.”

A roster of 10 Anvil and Lace babies will pass through the ring on Tuesday offering a good cross section of the sport’s top sires crossed with quality broodmares. Individuals from Captaintreacherous, Chapter Seven, Greenshoe, Huntsville, Lazarus N, Muscle Hill and Sweet Lou lead the consignment.

“First foal out of a Bettor’s Wish sister by Captain, he had a lot of lookers. He is a very nice colt, moves great in the paddock. That’s one that could have gone either way,” said Yontz. “I have Dancin Lou’s full brother. He’s probably one of the best individuals the mare has had in a while. Those two colts are very nice. Obviously, Muscle Hills can be sold first or second day, but I thought I would go in second day with a very, very nice group. How can you not be high on Captaintreacherous and Muscle Hill? And the way Sweet Lou has performed, I think he keeps getting better and betterevery year.”

Hip 186 Dancin Champion will be the first to sell for Anvil and Lace. The Sweet Lou colt is a brother to the Breeders Crown champion and half-brother to double millionaire Dancin Yankee. Hip 249 Principle Interest is a Captaintreacherous colt from the sister to Dan Patch Award winner Bettor’s Wish.

Hip 257 Magic Hill, a Muscle Hill colt from Andover Hall mare Magic Marker, also sells on Tuesday. The dam has produced three winners from three foals. The colt was raised at Millstream Farm. Hip 355 Bronzer is a Muscle Hill colt from the stakes-winning mare Win Missy B. The colt is a brother to two in 1:55 and a trio of six-figure earners.

Yontz also has a pair from Chapter Seven; a colt selling on Tuesday and a filly slotted on Thursday. Hip 296 Press Seven is the first foal out of OSS Gold leg winner Presto Change O 2,1:57.1; 3,1:54.3 ($150,636). Hip 764 Oaks In Kountry is the first foal from Father Patrick mare Whispering Oaks 2,1:54; BT1:52.4 ($306,744).

“The filly out of Whispering Oaks is a very, very nice race mare. The colt is a very strapping individual. He’s one that, when you pull him out, people are going to say, ‘Oh, what’s that?’ If he’s not on your card, he will be,” said Yontz.

Last year dual-eligible horses, particularly those eligible to the Kentucky program, were in high demand. Yontz believes the same will be true this year, particularly with the strength of the program at all levels in the Bluegrass State.

The Anvil and Lace consignment includes 21 yearlings slated to sell on Friday (Oct. 7), set aside by sale management as the day highlighting regional programs.

“I have regional horses, several are dual eligible, which obviously helps. On the last day I have some phenomenal regional horses, Swan For All, Downbytheseaside, some Lather Up. There’s Always A Virgin, who competes year-in and year-out with the big boys in Indiana, and everything in between. I have some first crop Six Packs that I’m pretty excited about,” Yontz said. “I have a Helpisontheway colt that has matured right at the right time and Helpisontheway in Indiana is doing all the right things. That’s what is so exciting to me. I have something for everyone.”

Some of the highlights in Friday’s group include a pair of Downbytheseaside fillies raised at Hinkston Creek Farm that are Ohio and Kentucky eligible. Hip 873 Flyin Bullets is the first foal from Pistol Packin Mama, a winner in excess of $400,000 with a mark of 1:49.1. Hip 878 Can’t Beat Me is a sister to Pure Rock p,2,1:51.3; 3,1:51.2f; BT1:49s ($130,843).