Works Over, Stage Set for Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Sale

It was a typical South Florida day March 25 at Gulfstream Park as horses entered in The Gulfstream Sale, Fasig-Tipton's selected 2-year-olds in training sale, formed a steady procession to undergo their pre-sale workouts.

With a large crowd of buyers, agents, and trainers on hand under sunny skies, the under tack show produced the co-fastest time for an eighth-mile pre-sale work since the sale was moved to Gulfstream five years ago, with two horses clocking the distance in :09 4/5.

"I think it was a productive day on the racetrack," said Fasig-Tipton president Boyd Browning Jr. "We saw a huge number of quality horses that worked over the racetrack today. Some beautiful movers. We've had some spectacular videos that we've already had the chance to see. When you watch the videos they're even more impressive than watching the horses go over the racetrack. I thought the track was very consistent from beginning to end and we're very, very pleased with the quality of horses that our consignors have brought to us."

The fast eighth-mile workers were Hip 12, an Uncle Mo  filly consigned by Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds, agent, and Hip 155, a colt from the first crop of Sky Kingdom  from Wavertree Stables, agent.

Sharing the best time of :20 3/5 for a quarter-mile were Hip 82, an Uncle Mo colt consigned by Hoby and Layna Kight, agent, and Hip 139, an Into Mischief  filly from Tom McCrocklin, agent.

"The surface must be good because I didn't hear anything negative," Browning continued. "The Gulfstream staff and crew told me they thought they've had a really good racetrack all winter. They've had enough rain and enough water and they think they've maintained a very consistent racetrack throughout the winter and I think that was on evidence today."

While speed is a primary factor in sorting out sale prospects, Browning said in some respects it's over-emphasized.

"I personally think times are over-emphasized at under tack shows across the United States," the sales company executive said. "I think it's a factor and one of the tools that buyers should utilize in assessing the horses but the last time I looked, we didn't run any races at an eighth of a mile or a quarter of a mile. I think times can certainly be indicative of speed and some talent, but it's just part of the equation. There were a bunch of really good horses that were on display today."

Wavertree's Ciaran Dunne said the Sky Kingdom colt, who was purchased as a yearling for $115,000 from Paramount Sales at The July Sale, Fasig-Tipton's 2018 summer yearling sale in Kentucky, is a lot like his father. Wavertree broke and prepared Sky Kingdom for his racing career in which he won two grade 3 stakes before being retired to Darby Dan Farm where he stands for a 2019 fee of $5,000.

"(Sky Kingdom) was a very laid back horse and this horse is a lot like him," Dunne said. "Nothing bothers him. (Sky Kingdom foals) are really pretty horses. He is just beautiful. He cost what he cost as a yearling because you didn't have to be a genius to find him. He stood out. He's bigger than the rest of them, he's stronger than the rest of them. He might not have the pedigree these other horses have but you'd be hard pressed to find a better looking horse."

The speedy Uncle Mo filly out of the Montjeu mare Coin Broker is from the female family of grade 1 winners Cash Run, Shared Interest, and Forestry. She was bred in Kentucky by the Coin Broker Syndicate and bought for $450,000 from Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency at last year's Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Randy Hartley said the breeze-time for the filly—who worked during the fourth of five groups Monday—is an indication of her ability and evidence that the track was consistent and fair all day. 

"I think everyone pushes their better horses toward the front, but when we had a small group of horses it was hard to decided," Hartley said. "But she's a special filly. She's done everything right since the day I bought (her). I thought I was going to get her for a little less because the consignor told me, 'Oh, you can probably get her for about $250,000.' She has come down here and trained and eaten ... we'll feed her dinner tonight and she will be done in five minutes. Nothing bothers her. She's just got a way about her. We're excited."

Browning said the sale, which begins March 27 at 2 p.m. in the Gulfstream Park paddock, will likely follow the same market trends seen across the board at sales over the past few years. 

"It is a 2-year-old in training sale so there will be some polarization in the marketplace, without question, because there are a lot of evaluative tools that people will go through," Browning said. "They'll watch the videos, analyze times to an extent, they do stride analysis and maybe use hearts, they use the veterinary scrutiny ... so there are a number of factors that will come in to play in making buying decisions. But I think we will see a high level of competition for a certain number of horses on offer."