by Chris Lomon

Crawford Farms has plenty of reasons, 55 to be exact, to look forward to the upcoming Lexington Selected Yearling Sale.

The gold-standard standardbred breeding and racing farm with two locations — in upstate New York and horse-rich Versailles, KY — is once again showcasing top-tier talents and intriguing value plays.

Over the past 17 years, Crawford Farms has provided the industry with dozens of impeccably-bred yearlings from blue-blooded broodmares. In the last several years, with the acquisition of their Kentucky farm, they have been able to provide dual-eligible yearlings for the Lexington sale.

Crawford Farms has now won three Hambletonians in the last six years as the co-owner of Atlanta (2018), Ramona Hill (2020) and Karl (2024). More importantly, the farm bred both Ramona Hill and Karl, who was also the 2023 Dan Patch Award winners as best 2-year-old male trotter.

“If the Keeneland Thoroughbred sale is any indication of the buying power, then I am hopeful that will transition over to the standardbred sale, and we break some records this year,” said Michelle Crawford.

Crawford, who anticipates a lot of eyes on their offerings at this year’s sale, is impressed by several of the farm’s yearlings.

“It’s hard this year because we have a very good consignment across the board, from Day 1 through to Day 5. On Day 5, we will have our Kentucky-eligible, well-bred Crazy Wow yearlings. Next year, those Crazy Wow yearlings will be dual-eligible to both New York and Kentucky.”

Crawford has no shortage of compliments for a son of Propulsion—Avalicious, Aspen, Hip #69.

“As far as standouts for me, I would start with Aspen – not because he is Karl’s brother, but because I think he has some insane talent,” she said. “I have seen gears – when we have been showing him out in the paddock – that I didn’t see on video day.

“We put the horses in the grass paddock to show them to buyers, and you see a whole different side of them. They are comfortable and they fly up and down. I have seen some remarkable speed and gears with him.

“We bred and sold a great Propulsion filly in last year’s sale, R Charm. She just won the New Jersey Classic. I’m not sure the industry on a whole will receive Propulsions like they should be received, even though it’s Karl’s brother.”

Hip #51, Ubrute, a son of Tall Dark Stranger, out of Warrawee Ubeaut, has also caught Crawford’s attention.

“For some reason, I just really like him,” Crawford said. “I have liked the Tall Dark Strangers all along. I know that they didn’t appear like they should have this year, but it is still early. I still believe in him. This horse is a phenomenal individual out of a great mare and is also co-owned by Ron Burke and the original ownership of Warrawee Ubeaut.”

Pink Hermes, Hip #86, is a bay filly who certainly looks the part, said Crawford.

“She is a Muscle Hill—Lock Down Lindy filly, which is a full sister to Ramona Hill,” Crawford said. “I think she is special too. We showed her in the paddock, and she has another set of gears, too. I like everything about her. I am not saying she is going to be another Hambo winner, but I would love to think so.”

On Day 2, Crawford expects sale goers to be impressed by Hip #203, Belly Up N Aspen, a son of Chapter Seven—Sexy Wow.

“This is a very nice colt,” she said. “When I go out in the chute and look at them, I’m watching their conformation, how they trot, how they move – I look at them all like I am the buyer. I try to separate myself and see them through that lens. I have to say I like this colt a lot.”

Captain Charley, Hip #438, a son of Captain Corey—Stella Jane, also earned top marks from Crawford.

“He is stunning,” she said. “He was stunning the moment his little four hooves hit the ground. He is a prototype of Captain Corey. When people look at him, I think they will see just how nice he is. He is well-balanced in the field, head down, and shows his athleticism.”

Heather Marshall, who works for Crawford Farms, is equally enthusiastic about this year’s standout prospects.

“Hip #66, Wayne Harvey (a son of Downbytheseaside—Alexis Faith),” Marshall said. “He is an absolutely gorgeous colt, a great big hip on him, strong, super athletic out in the field. He never has a bad day.

“I also like Hip #192 [Shaboozin On Top]. She is a daughter of Huntsville, out of the mare All On Top Hanover. That mare has had back-to-back starters [Blue Hunt, in 2023, and Huntingforchrome, in 2024] make the Little Brown Jug final. The is the first full-sister to both those colts. With New York adding the extra purse money, it would be no surprise if she is everyone’s top pick.

“The other one who comes to mind is Hip #68, Seaport Sammy (a son of Gimpanzee). He is out of a Muscle Hill sister, Ava Kathryn, to Karl. He is a big, strong colt and is a killer out in the field.”

As for value opportunities, Marshall points to Hip #549, Sundownsomewhere, a daughter of Tall Dark Stranger—Somwherovrarainbow.

“She looks much more like a Somebeachsomewhere than she does a Tall Dark Stranger,” Marshall said. “We have had the last few foals out of this mare and this one is by far the nicest.

“I would also go with Hip # 659 [Laguna Glow] as well. She is a daughter of Propulsion—Tuvalu. The full-sister, Eloise, recently won at Freehold, and has made nearly $200,000 in her career so far. This filly has a great hind end, and I think being a Propulsion, she might fly under the radar a little bit.”

Marshall also points to Hip #168, Captain Gage, as an underrated yearling.

“He is a son of Captaintreacherous—All About Kisses,” Marhsall said. “She is a 100 per cent producer, and this colt shows fantastic athleticism, and I think he’s going to be under the radar. I like him a lot.”

Crawford also has rave reviews for another duo.

“I also like Jewel Crush [Hip #246]. She is maybe a little under the radar because she is a Propulsion. She’s out of Jewels In Hock, whose second foal, R Charm, seems to have been a good cross for the mare.

“Nash, Hip #351, is a Tall Dark Stranger out of Nashville Elgenna, with the second dam being Anndrovette. This filly is just a very nice individual. She is built like a colt, but she is ‘wow’ on the floor. I like the way she moves, and she could be anything.”