Solid Day Three

Day three of the Keeneland September sale was much stronger in relation to last years results than the first two days. There were 10 more horses sold than the corresponding day last year and the gross was off $2 million from the 2007 results which is an improvement from the opening book which wound up off $30 million dollars from last year. The average slipped and the median was about the same but there were no seven figure horses sold.

We sprung into action buying hip number 568, a Mizzen Mast filly out of a multiple stakes winning Petionville mare named Slewville. The filly, who was consigned by Pope McLean's Crestwood Farm, got extremely high grades from us on her conformation and athleticism. We were thrilled to get her for $45000 which was about 50% of what we thought she would bring. The filly is owned by a partnership of Bob Gary Racing and Bluegrass Equine Center.

We also went to $45000 to purchase hip number 595, a Theatrical colt out of the multiple stakes placed Peteski mare, Sweet and Firm. The colt, who was consigned by Hill n Dale farm, was a very good individual for the sire, had a big athletic walk and had perfect xrays and scope reports. He is an Ontario bred who looks like he will relish a distance of ground over the grass. The colt is owned by the Gary/Bluegrass partnership.

Hip number 634 wasn't on our original list but we were alerted to his potential availability a short while before he was to go through the ring. After looking at him and really liking what we saw we wound up bidding and buying him for $25000. The son of Kentucky Derby winner Smarty Jones is a half brother to million dollar earner West Virginia and is a rangy type that not only looks fast but like he will be able to cover a distance of ground. He was bought on BEC's account and is available to interested parties.

Quite a few of our other potentials went for prices above what we were willing to spend and tomorrow's list is fairly light. We will start examining this weekends horses in the morning.