Animal Kingdom Filly Among Hips to Watch

Showing off some of the stars in Gainesway’s consignment to the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale, Brian Graves was quick to point out a gray filly by Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum Brands (gr. I) winner Animal Kingdom  .

“She was probably the best-moving filly on our farm this year,” Graves said of the filly produced from the multiple grade III-winning Even the Score mare Four Gifts. “She is well-balanced, correct, and with a long neck. She is exciting.”

Bred in Kentucky by Barry Becker and Judith Becker, the filly consigned as Hip 32 was bought by Clear Ridge Stables for $150,000 as a short yearling at this year’s Keeneland January mixed sale.

The Animal Kingdom filly is among the potential standouts during the sale’s first day Aug. 8. Others being offered at the session that begins at 6:30 p.m. EDT include a half sister to superstar Songbird, as well as a filly by Frankel, Juddmonte’s undefeated European champion who is off to a strong start at stud.

Songbird’s half sister by Ghostzapper   is consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency as Hip 61. Songbird and the yearling filly bred in Kentucky by John Antonelli were produced from the West Acre mare Ivanavinalot, a homebred for Gilbert Campbell who won six of 18 starts including the grade II Bonnie Miss Stake, and earned $647,300 en route to being voted champion Florida-bred 2-year-old filly of 2002.

The Frankel filly, consigned by Indian Creek as Hip 65, was bred in Kentucky by Lawrence Goichman and was produced from the Distant View mare J’Ray, whose nine wins from 26 starts included three grade III stakes.

Not surprisingly, offspring of leading sire Tapit   will be in demand, with Taylor Made Sales Agency offering one of those Monday night. Consigned as Hip 72, the colt named Fiftyshadesoftapit is the first foal out of the After Market mare Lady of Fifty, winner of the grade I Clement l. Hirsch Stakes and an earner of $593,000.

The only War Front   colt in the sale is Hip 28, consigned by Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services. He is out of the grade III-winning Giant's Causeway   mare First Passage and from the family of grade I winner Harmony Lodge. 

"He looks like a War Front and is out of a mare who could run," John Stuart said. "He is by a young proven stallion, is out of a nice race mare, and is one of the first foals out of the mare. If you want a War Front colt you have to come to my consignment."

HIPS TO WATCH—DAY 1 FASIG-TIPTON SARATOGA SELECTED YEARLING SALE

HIP, DESCRIPTION, CONSIGNOR

9             F., Speightstown  —Dreaming of Liz, by El Prado/Taylor Made Sales Agency, agt.

20           C., Galileo—Emerald Gold, by War Front  /Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, agt.

28           C., War Front—First Passage, by Giant’s Causeway/Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services, agt.

32           F., Animal Kingdom—Four Gifts, by Even the Score/Gainesway, agt.

40           C., Medaglia d'Oro  —Globe Trot, by A.P. Indy/Denali Stud

61           F., Ghostzapper—Ivanavinalot, by West Acre/Hill ‘n’ Dales Sales, agt.

65           F., Frankel—J’Ray, by Distant View/Indian Creek, agt.

72           C., Tapit—Lady of Fifty, by After Market/Taylor Made Sales Agency, agt.

87           F., Scat Daddy  —Me and Miss Jones, by Smarty Jones  /Gainesway, agt.