Coast-to-Coast Venture Works for DeBerdt and Scanlon

Bruno DeBerdt operates the successful Excel Bloodstock in California and David Scanlon has the equally prominent Florida-based Scanlon Training & Sales.

Together they have entered into a venture in which Scanlon sells the Excel horses at East Coast sales, with six entered in this week's Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. Included in the group is a son of Speightstown  that will go through the ring as Hip 453 during the April 24 second session of the sale.

Bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, the colt was purchased by DeBerdt for himself and two longtime partners for $135,000 from Denali Stud, agent for Stonestreet, at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Produced from the Seeking the Gold mare Pay Lady, he is a full brother to grade 1 winner Lighthouse Bay.

During the under tack show second breeze session, the colt worked an eighth-mile in :09 4/5, co-fastest on the day.

"He's been honest from day one and he has a great mind," DeBerdt said. "He's done what he's supposed to do. When we first started breezing him, we had to separate him out after his first breeze with another horse because he is so aggressive. But he has a great mind.

"We're really blessed we've landed on a horse like that because you have to go through so many of them. He's what we call a pinhooker's delight, and there is no doubt in my mind he is going to go on and be a very good racehorse for whoever buys him."

"He was a little young and we just took our time with him," said Scanlon. "He's been a good horse all year—a good-moving horse. He has speed and a good family. He's a class act."

Under the partnership, Scanlon handles the breaking and training of the Scanlon-Excel horses and DeBerdt handles the administrative aspects of the operation and will consign under his banner when horses are sold on the West Coast.

"We know each other really well," Scanlon said of DeBerdt. "It's working."

"We've done well together," DeBerdt said. "We respect each other and each has something to bring to the table. David does a great job breaking them and has a good crew and a good facility where he trains."