The Big Beast Colt Fastest at OBS Under Tack Show

Florida horseman Luis Garcia knew that the 2-year-old colt from the first crop of The Big Beast  he had been training was fast and talented, but he didn't realize how fast until March 9 when the colt breezed an eighth-mile in :09 3/5 during the under tack show in preparation for the Ocala Breeders' Sales March 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale.

The time was the best of all workers at the distance over the course of the three days of workouts—which went smoothly and without incident—in Ocala, Fla. The OBS sale takes place March 12-13, beginning at 10:30 a.m. ET daily.

The performance by the March 10, 2017, foal over the OBS Safetrack artificial surface impressed Garcia, who has the colt consigned as Hip 418 under his L. G. banner as agent.

"That surprised me," Garcia said. "I know he's a good horse and has talent and can run, but I didn't know how fast he is. I get on him and gallop him every day, and I knew I had plenty of horse left every time."

Garcia hopes the best work out of hundreds of juveniles entered in the sale that worked the distance will attract buyers to Barn 13.

"He's the fastest horse in this sale, so I hope buyers will come and take a look," said Garcia, noting that some of the observers during the workout session timed the colt in :20 for a quarter-mile gallop out following the officially timed eighth-mile effort.

Bred in Florida by Christy Whitman, the colt was purchased by Gina Fennell, Garcia's partner in a pinhooking venture, for $45,000 from the Whitman Sales offerings at the 2018 OBS October Yearling Sale. The colt was produced from the winning Our Emblem mare Raebear, a daughter of stakes-placed Cosmic Wing, the dam of multiple group 3-placed Speed Hawk and granddam of Canadian grade 3 winners Miss Mo Mentum and Lookin for Eight.

The Saturday fastest quarter-mile time of :20 2/5 was turned in by a daughter of Goldencents  consigned by Blazing Meadows Farm, agent. Named Angelcents, the filly (Hip 399) was bred in Florida by Angela Ingenito and was an RNA at The October Sale last year on a final bid of $28,000.

The filly joined a Super Saver  filly (Hip 305) who breezed :20 2/5 Friday for the best quarter-mile clocking during the three sessions.

Blazing Meadows' Tim Hamm said he partnered with the filly's breeder following her buyback last fall, and that the April 6, 2017, foal has only moved forward during her winter training.

"She's a fast and really athletic filly," Hamm said. "She's done everything right. She's a runner. I think there will be a ton of spots to run her since she's a Florida-bred. The sire is very active, and that she's a Florida-bred sets her apart."

Produced from the winning Pomeroy mare Pomeroy Angel, the filly descends from the female family of grade 3 winner Speak Easy Gal and stakes winners City Sage and Diabolical Ruler.

Tod Wojciechowski, OBS sales director, said consignors and buyers can move forward with the task at hand—the sale itself.

"We had ideal conditions," Wojciechowski said. "The weather was very cooperative. It was a very good turnout (buyers, trainers, and agents), with some familiar faces and some new ones."