A deep dive into the yearlings selling on Day 2 at Lexington

by Murray Brown

This column is being written less than a week before and will appear in HRU one day before the beginning of the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale.

It is only not only timely, but it is reasonable to expect that it should be about that sale.

Should it concern the power packed Day 1 of the venue? Maybe, but much of what I would say has been previously been said many times about the opening day of the same sale.

Do I believe that the Monday session will blow the roof off the Fasig Tipton sales pavilion? If they don’t, then we, meaning the collective industry, are in trouble.

Day 1 has everything the discriminating buyer looks for. It almost always does.

I have decided to concentrate on Day 2 of the event. The session has 261 yearlings cataloged. There are many among them who were probably considered for Day 1, but for likely various reasons landed in the Tuesday session. Make no mistake about it, Day 2 is also loaded. 

I have decided to concentrate on what I view as the most unknown factor of the group, the first foals. No less than 79 of the day’s 261 yearlings, 30.27 per cent, almost one in every three are first foals from their respective dams.

I have handicapped them to my liking. There is no real set formula, but in most instances, I would like to see what I view as at least one top performer in the second dam’s production.

From those 79 yearlings, I have chosen four in each of the four categories: pacing colts and fillies and the same for trotters.

The final 16 will constitute one of my make-believe stables for 2-year-olds in 2027. I will likely do the same for Harrisburg and a combination for both of the major sales.

Good luck to all, sellers and buyers alike!

TROTTING COLTS

Hip #176 Murray B — Chapter Seven—Bourbon Queen—Tactical Landing. Honestly his name had nothing to do with my choice. The mare’s first two dams are replete with stakes and fast class winners. What really attracted this old guy’s attention is the colt’s fifth dam being one of my all-time favorites Superlou, one of the very first top Super Bowls.

Hip #317 Gideon’s Sword — Tactical Approach—Pink Gypsy—Father Patrick. From a stakes winning sibling to five stakes winners including the world champion, 3-Year-Old Trotting Colt of 2020 and multiple stakes and fast class winner Amigo Volo ($2,680,432).

Hip #206 Dondi White — Walner—Defacement—Muscle Hill. From a mare whose first two dams are full of big money winners including Security Protected ($898,003) and Fifty Cent Piece ($500,000) from the first dam and the Hambletonian winner Muscle Massive ($1,239,138) and the world champion Muscle Mass ($229,000) from her second dam.

Hip #272 Market Research — Tactical Landing—Lady Lira—International Moni. From a stakes winning half-sister to the 2-Year-Old Trotting Filly of 2020 and multiple stakes winner Anoka Hanover ($792,739) and three other stakes winners.

TROTTING FILLIES

Hip #266 Lindy’s Brave Maid — Walner—Joan of Arc—International Moni. From a stakes placed half-sister to the multiple stakes and fast class winner Lindy The Great ($1,498,464), Marquis Lafayette ($425,360), and Mother Teresa ($120,817).

Hip #269 Scarlett Iris — Tactical Approach—Kelsie Awaiting—Walner. From a sister to the multiple stakes winner Walner Payton ($801,071) and out of a sister to the multiple stakes winner and much missed sire Bar Hopping ($1,292,433).

Hip #212 Seven Days A Week — Chapter Seven—Egyptian Hanover—Bar Hopping. From a half-sister to the world champion and multiple stakes winner Hillexotic ($1,613,777) and out of the multiple stakes winner Exotic Destination ($282,328).

Hip #156 Goraceme Armitage — Tactical Landing—Avacakes—Father Patrick. From a half-sister to the Hambletonian winner and the 2-Year-Old Trotting Colt of 2023 Karl ($2,046,066) and a sister to the stakes winner Lucius Vorenus ($268,807).

PACING COLTS

Hip #145 Thurbo Field — Papi Rob Hanover—Warrawee Jeannie—Sweet Lou. From a sister to the 2-Year-Old Pacing Filly of 2018; the 3-Year-Old Pacing Filly of 2019 Warrawee Ubeaut ($1,849,213) and a half-sister to four other stakes winners including Warrawee Needy ($1,258,027) and Warrawee Vital ($611,088).

Hip #250 Talbot Twiceasweet — Sweet Lou—Sweeties Best Bet—Betting Line. From a half-sister to the multiple stakes and fast class winner Backstreet Shadow ($1,853,149), Mack ($626,206), Backstreet Gambler ($235,8712) and Beach Babe ($161,410).

Hip #211 Dewsbury Station — Stay Hungry—Duchess Hill—Betting Line. From a multiple stakes winning sister to one of my all-time favorites Abuckabett Hanover ($2,181,009) and a half sister to All Hands On Deck ($289,218), and Attention Hanover ($206,617).

Hip #285 Kramer — Confederate—Max Contract—Huntsville. From the Breeders Crown winner Max Contract ($656,305) a half-sister to the stakes winners I’m A Big Deal ($418,910) and Hungry Man ($285,850).

PACING FILLIES

Hip #343 She Be Sweet — Sweet Lou—Shebebakin Hanover—Captaintreacherous. From a stakes winning half-sister to the 2-Year-Old Pacing Colt of 2020 and the 3-Year-Old Pacing Colt of 2021 Perfect Sting ($1,733,981).

Hip #222 Fala La La La — Downbytheseaside—Falana Hanover—Always B Miki. From a half-sister to the Breeders Crown winner and 2-Year-Old Pacing Filly of 2020 Fire Start Hanover ($1,273,448).

Hip #221 In Lou We Trust — Sweet Lou—Faithful Hill—Racing Hill. From a sister to the multiple stakes and fast class winner Admiral Hill ($872,933), she’s out of a sister to the Dan Patch winner Rocklamation ($2,277,384).

Hip #142 Maneater Deo — Cannibal—Alwaysbafoolfrudeo—Always B Miki. From a half-sister to six stakes winners including Rodeo Rock ($766,740), Trente Deo ($444,181), and Ameritric ($309,536).