Kaitlin Free again spotlights her thoughts on the Keeneland Fall Yearling sale focusing on book 2.
Session 4
- HIP 828 FILLY (Tapit x Great Hot)
As we saw in Keeneland Book 1, Tapit yearlings are still very much in fashion. Speedy mares work well with Tapit’s stamina, so this yearling will get the classic dose that buyers are looking for. Great Hot is off to a nice start as a young broodmare with two foals to race – both of them winners. Tapit really compliments Great Hot and I believe this to be her best foal yet.
- HIP 723 COLT (Empire Maker x Amelia)
Amelia may be one of the most underrated broodmares of all time. Of nine foals to race, seven are winners. Of seven winners, five of them are graded stakes winners. To Amelia’s credit she has Rainha Da Bateria, Rabbit Run, Asakusa Genki, Assateague, and Kindergarten Kid. A sixth foal, He’s Had Enough, is G1 placed. He gave Champion Shanghai Bobby all he wanted in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. This page for a broodmare is absolutely insane, especially for today’s standards. Unfortunately, Amelia has not been held as highly as other producers with even half of her credit. With Empire Maker firing away since returning to the States, Amelia could have herself another top horse in this colt. This horse will be loaded with plenty of stamina and a little speed to boot. Empire Maker was a fantastic stallion to choose for Amelia. She crosses well with anything and he gives her another fantastic chance to produce a top runner.
- HIP 929 COLT (Flintshire x Motokiks)
As previously mentioned in the last article, Motokiks is a blue hen mare for sure. Her daughter Keertana’s American Pharoah yearling was spotlighted in Book 1. Here is Motokiks herself with one of her last foals. You know all about Motokiks’ accolades with her daughters Diversy Harbor, Keertana, and Snow Top Mountain. This combination with Flintshire gave Motokiks a chance to do what she does best. She moves stallions up. Keertana and Snow Top Mountain were both out of lesser regarded turf stallions. Flintshire is extremely underrated as a runner, but has yet to have any foals hit the track to determine his worth as a stallion. This cross is the best of both worlds for them both. A big name mare like this bodes well for Flintshire and this could be his top yearling of 2019.
- HIP 753 FILLY (American Pharoah x Careless Jewel)
This filly, named My Cartouche, has garnered a lot of attention in the barns this week. She is a beautiful roan filly with a classic body style that is an absolute stunner. Careless Jewel has not had the best luck so far as a broodmare, with four foals of racing age only one has reached the track. That foal also has yet to win a race. With most American Pharoah 2YOs that have ran, they are showing extremely precocious speed. Careless Jewel’s pedigree could use a bit of speed, being by Tapit. On looks and paper this filly stacks up nicely and will appeal to buyers. American Pharoah certainly adds the edge this mare needs to get her progeny rolling.
- HIP 636 COLT (Curlin x Sound the Trumpets)
With all of the Phipps yearlings entered for the Keeneland sale for the first time, this colt is surprisingly out of a mare they chose to give up. Sound the Trumpets was said to have talent but unfortunately did not say sound enough to make it to the track. What she lacks in racing experience she makes up for in the pedigree department. This royally bred mare is the last daughter of Champion My Flag and one of the last granddaughters of the great Personal Ensign. What Sound the Trumpets lacks in soundness will be combated by Curlin’s iron bones. This truly is one of the most under the radar well bred horses in this entire sale. Perhaps his dam’s potential will ultimately be found as a broodmare.
Session 5
- HIP 981 COLT (Giant’s Causeway x Sea Queen)
Sadly, due to Giant’s Causeway’s untimely death this crop of yearlings are his final full crop and very few of them are entered in this sale. This impressively bred colt seems to be one that could be a future turf horse. Out of Grade 1 placed Sea Queen, he comes from a very extensive page. His granddam Dowry also produced Grade 1 winner Nereid and graded stakes placed Figarella’s Queen. Many potential buyers probably aren’t looking for a Giant’s Causeway turf yearling. He could be a gem that flies under the radar and blossoms.
- 1053 FILLY (Uncle Mo x Zoftig)
Like many other ones mentioned in this sales series, this filly is a worthy purchased based on pedigree alone. Her dam, Zoftig, is another forgotten top broodmare. Zoftig is the dam of Grade 1 winning fillies Zo Impressive and Zaftig. Zo Impressive is the dam of Grade 2 winner Souper Tapit, while Zaftig is the dam of stakes placed popular horses Spinoff and Rugbyman. Even if this filly cannot run a step she is worth her price as a breeding prospect. Zoftig’s fillies have certainly excelled far beyond her colts as runners. This family produces, so this filly has unlimited potential both on and off the track.
- HIP 1107 COLT (Runhappy x Charming N Lovable)
Runhappy so far has sizzled at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Of course the intense marketing for him helps, but his yearlings have outsold those of Frosted, California Chrome, Nyquist, and Not This Time. This half brother to Grade 1 winner Fault may be one of his best offerings yet. Dam Charming N Lovable boasts seven winners out of eight to race. This fabulous outcross will no doubt provide you a great chance to have a winner. This exciting young colt really takes after his father in the looks department.
- HIP 1018 FILLY (Medaglia d’Oro x Thirteen Arrows)
Medaglia d’Oro is having himself a fantastic sale as well. He just seems to be getting better and better with age. He has another exciting filly here in this daughter of Thirteen Arrows. Thirteen Arrows was a stakes winner that was highly regarded throughout her career. She was a very useful filly that wasn’t quite at a graded stakes level but would kill you with consistency. She eventually threw in the towel at age 5 and was purchased to become a broodmare. Not only was she successful on the track, her pedigree is quite exciting. Thirteen Arrows is out of top broodmare Stop Traffic making her a half sister to Grade 1 winner Cross Traffic. Cross Traffic has enjoyed early success as a stallion, siring Champion Jaywalk in his first crop. Often the best broodmares aren’t superstars so with this pedigree and race record it could make Thirteen Arrows at textbook example of what to look for in a potential broodmare prospect. This filly is her first foal.
- HIP 1280 FILLY (Curlin x Missile Bay)
This filly may be very late in the session but she certainly is worth hanging around for. Any yearling that Stonestreet produces is sure to grab anyone’s attention and this girl should be no exception. Out of the mare Missile Bay, she is a full sister to multiple graded stakes winner Terra Promessa. Terra Promessa was a hard knocking filly with a long career. This filly has seven siblings to race and six of them have won. Proven crosses excite potential buyers and this one is as proven as it gets. Curlin has several hidden gems in these later sessions that will surprise some people. He will be king of Book 2.
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