My picks for 14 yearlings to consider that are selling on Day 2 of the Standardbred Horse Sales Company auction.

by Murray Brown

If you are looking for value, meaning reasonable prices at Harrisburg, the place to look is probably not on Day 1. As in Lexington, the perceived creme de la creme will be selling on the first day.

That’s not to say that the wise buyer should not be prepared for any eventuality. Ideally, the smart shopper should look at as many yearlings wherever in the sale they are situated whose pedigrees suit his or her fancy.

If as sometimes happens, a horse that you might like on paper falls below a price where you can afford it, then at least you are prepared.

For the purpose of this article, I will restrict myself to the approximately 340 yearlings selling on Day 2 at Harrisburg. As just about any student of either Lexington or Harrisburg knows, the first day at either sale is usually stacked with yearlings by all the perceived top sires. It’s a sires’ game. If you haven’t noticed it, then you just haven’t been paying attention.

In Lexington 59 of the 66 trotting yearlings (89.4 per cent) were by only four stallions Chapter Seven (19), Gimpanzee (7), Muscle Hill (15) and Walner (12). With pacers, the numbers were also skewed with 45 of 55 (81.8 per cent) being by only three stallions Captaintreacherous (18), Papi Rob Hanover (8) and Tall Dark Stranger (19).

In Harrisburg, 54 of the 69 trotting yearlings (78.3 per cent) are by the stallions Bar Hopping (6), Chapter Seven (13), Gimpanzee (5), Greenshoe (7), Muscle Hill (9) and Walner (14). The pacing numbers have 84 of 91 (92.3 per cent) of the yearlings being by the sires Always B Miki (5), Bettor’s Delight (8), Captaintreacherous (22), Huntsville (6), Papi Rob Hanover (17), Sweet Lou (10) and Tall Dark Stranger (16).

The purpose of this article is to in effect, in the words of baseball Hall of Famer Wee Willie Keeler “hit them where they ain’t.” To try to find a dozen or so (actually 14) of the yearlings selling on Day 2 at Harrisburg by sires other than those that were represented by two or less yearlings in the opening session.

It certainly was not the intent of the author to pick yearlings out of older mares, but you will find that the majority are out of proven producing mares who have had one or more, usually more, good and sometimes exceptional racetrack performers. Included is one first foal and two seconds. All the others range from being their dam’s sixth to 14th foal.

Here they are listed alphabetically by sire:

BY ARCHANGEL

Hip #357 Blue Heron

Bay colt, Dam Too Good For You by Yankee Glide

Half-brother to 10 stakes winners including Beer Budget ($509,521), Tiger’s Too Good ($399,892), Elin ($387,558), Allegiant ($295,320), Only Lonely ($212,293) and Shape Shifter ($151,279).

BY BETTOR’S WISH

Hip #483 Suavity

Bay colt, Dam Don’t You Smile by Grinfromeartoear

Half-brother to five stakes winners including the world champion, O’Brien and Little Brown Jug winner Vegas Vacation ($1,162,272).

BY CANTAB HALL

Hip #224 Manolo Hanover

Bay colt, Dam Madam Hooch by Credit Winner

Half-brother to the stakes winners Moonshiner Hanover ($624,162), Gabe The Bear Dean ($304,590) and Ginger Tree Brad ($120,704).

BY CATTLEWASH

Hip #367 Twin Fury

Bay colt, Dam Twin B Elite by Jeremes Jet

From the multiple stakes winning mare Twin B Elite ($408,523), already a stakes producing broodmare.

BY DOWNBYTHESEASIDE

Hip #509 King Of The USA

Bay colt, Dam Queen Josephine by Roll With Joe

First foal from Queen Josephine ($311,915) a half-sister to stakes winner Rockinroll Royalty ($147,563).

BY FATHER PATRICK

Hip #404 Wondrous Blue Chip

Bay colt, Dam Dunk The Donato by Donato Hanover

Half-brother to the world champion and multiple stakes winner Plunge Blue Chip ($1,576,251) and the stakes winners Splash Blue Chip ($474,623) and Threepointbluechip ($138,027).

BY GREEN MANALISHI

Hip #412 Angel Face Hanover

Brown filly, Dam Angel Eyes Hanover by Cantab Hall

Half-sister to the multiple stakes winners Ambassador Hanover ($744,816) and Saint Trixie ($132,792).

BY HE’S WATCHING

Hip #336 Winston Blue Chip

Bay colt, Dam Molly Can Do It by Camluck

Half-brother to the 2023 Jugette winner Ucandoit Bluechip ($596,127), Billie Blue Chip ($602,818) and four other stakes winners.

By International Moni

Hip #381 Waterloo Hanover

Bay colt, Dam Window Willow by Tagliabue

Half-brother to the world champion and multiple stakes winner Crystal Fashion ($2,240,949).

BY MUSCLE MASS

Hip #271 Hands Off My Peach

Bay filly, Dam Peach Martini by Striking Sahbra

Sister to the multiple stakes winner Macho Martini ($415,755). Half-sister to the stakes winners Goes Down Smooth ($362,446) and Crantini ($237,640).

BY PROPULSION

Hip #301 Marin County

Brown filly, Dam Sausalito by Donato Hanover

Half-sister to the stakes winner Point Reyes ($101,590). Second foal from a sister or half-sister to the stakes winners Holiday Credit ($737,626), Hitwiththeladies ($435,877) and Holiday Hangover ($155,223).

BY RESOLVE

Hip #434 Tuber

Bay colt, Dam Tusk by Holiday Road

Second foal from a half-sister to the Hambletonian, Dan Patch and O’Brien winner Forbidden Trade ($2,108,242) and out of the O’Brien and Dan Patch winner Pure Ivory ($1,442,888).

BY SOUTHWIND FRANK

Hip #377 Dignified Hanover

Bay colt, Dam Don’t Wait Up by Credit Winner

Brother to the multiple stakes winner Delayed Hanover ($602,786). Half-brother to the multiple stakes winner Date Night Hanover ($302,245 at 2).

BY STAY HUNGRY

Hip #252 Cafe Culture

Bay colt, Dam Must See by Artsplace

Half-brother to five stakes winners including the multiple Dan Patch and O’Brien winner Well Said ($2,569,342).