Weanlings Could Lead Keeneland Day 2

At last year’s Keeneland November breeding stock sale, there was considerable demand for well-bred weanlings, with a Tapit  —Take Charge Lady filly now named Lady Take Charge purchased by Whisper Hill Farm for $3.2 million as the auction’s second-highest priced horse.

Among the horses that should draw interest during the Nov. 9 second session of this year’s venue is Hip 252, a War Front   colt produced from Midnight Lucky. A daughter of Midnight Lute  , Midnight Lucky won four of five starts, including the Acorn and Humana Distaff, both grade I, for Mike Pegram. The colt was bred in Kentucky by Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings, Karl Watson, and Pegram.

Last year's Keeneland November sale saw Hill 'n' Dale sell a War Front weanling colt out of Serena's Cat for $2.6 million. John Sikura's operation is back with another boutique offering from its top producer, offering Hip 303, a Tapit colt out of Serena's Cat that is a half sibling to champion and Lane's End stallion, Honor Code  .

A full sister to the Tapit—Serena's Cat colt sold to Bridlewood Farm for $3 million at the 2014 Keeneland November sale—also out of the Hill 'n' Dale consignment— establishing what was then a North American record price for a weanling at public auction.

Goin to the Window, a Tapit mare in foal to Medaglia d'Oro  , is consigned by Burleson Farms as Hip 433. The 6-year-old stakes winner is out of a winning Indian Charlie mare who is a half sister to grade II winner Regal Engagement. Third dam, grade I winner Too Chic, produced champion Queena and grade I winner Chic Shirine. Also included in the female family are grade I winners Verrazano  , Serra Lake, and Somali Lemonade.

Cotton Blossom, a 12-year-old Broken Vow mare who is a half sister to grade III winner Vicarage, won the Acorn Stakes (gr. I) and placed in two grade I races. The mare, in foal to Uncle Mo  , had been purchased by Brushwood Stable for $2.3 million at the 2009 Keeneland November sale.

Another mare in foal to American Pharoah, Loudly is a daughter of War Front   and a half sister to two stakes winners.