Checking In On: High Priced OBS March Sale Graduates

In our second edition of this series, we look at the horses who sold at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company March Sale of Selected 2-Year-Olds in Training in 2015 and 2016 for $500,000 or more.

During those past two sales, 42 horses have sold in that price range with 37 of them making at least one start and a few others entered to race this weekend. The horses from these classes of the sale include Grade 1 winner Constellation (Bellamy Road), Group 2 winner Acapulco (Scat Daddy) and a few Triple Crown trail runners among others.

Read on to see what all 42 horses have been up to since leaving Ocala as 2-year-olds.
                                                                    
2016 March Sale of Selected 2-Year-Olds in Training
Formula One (Smart Strike x Glamorista – Unbridled’s Song) – The topper at this sale last year, Formula One was sold for $1.7-million to LEB. He debuted on Aug. 13, 2016 at Saratoga where he finished sixth to a future graded stakes winner in Good Samaritan (Harlan’s Holiday) on the turf. He returned to the grass for his second start on Jan. 22 of this year where he finished fifth as the favorite. He last worked on Feb. 11.

Monaco (Uncle Mo x Setareh – Sky Classic) – A $1.3-million purchase by Repole Stable and Coolmore, Monaco made his debut in Saratoga where he was sixth going six furlongs. Stretched out to 1 1/16 then one mile when he returned this year, Monaco first finished second before winning at a mile. In that mile race, he was still green but won by 12 lengths.  He has continued appearing regularly on the work tab since that victory.

Master Plan (Twirling Candy x Sage Mist – Henny Hughes) – Owned in partnership by Al Shaqab Racing, WinStar Farm and China Horse Club, Master Plan has shown a lot of talent to go with his $850,000 price tag. After finishing off-the-board in his first start, he broke his maiden by 2 ¼ lengths, was second in the Pulpit Stakes and won the OBS Championship by 2 ½ lengths. According to the Al Shaqab’s U.S. Racing Manager Bradley Weisbord, Master Plan will make his next start in the UAE Derby.

Radio Silence (War Front x Maryfield – Elusive Quality) – Racing in Ireland, this $675,000 purchase has run with some of the best 2-year-olds in Europe. He broke his maiden by two lengths at Leopardstown and was second to champion Churchill (Galileo) in the Group 2 Galileo European Breeders Fund Futurity Stakes in August.
                                                                                    
Undulated (Curlin x Polly Alexander – Foxhound) – Bought by MMG Stables for $625,000, Undulated broke his maiden at first asking and hasn’t finished off the board since. He was second next out in the Laurel Futurity, won the Swynford Stakes at Woodbine then returned to Laurel Park to finish third in the Marylander Stakes. He’s made back $103,263 in those four starts and hasn’t yet worked or raced as a 3-year-old.

Floroplus (City Zip x Cap’s Legacy – Stroll) – A $585,000 purchase, Floroplus broke his maiden in his first start by a neck. A month later, the colt finished fifth in an allowance optional claiming race on Oct. 30 at Churchill Downs. Floroplus hasn’t raced since that start and last worked on Jan. 29, 2017.

Third Day (Bernardini x Onebadkitty – Street Cry) – Another stakes horse from this sale last year, the $575,000 Third Day has won both his starts. His latest was the Just One More Stakes, which he won by a neck on Feb. 8. He currently races for the partnership of Spendthrift Farm and Town and Country Racing. Trainer Todd Pletcher told TVG after his last win that he will next be headed for a Kentucky Derby prep race and he has been working regularly since that win.
2017 JUST ONE MORE STAKES



Beautiful Princess (Giant’s Causeway x Empire West – Empire Maker) – Originally trained by Bob Baffert for Kaleem Shah, Beautiful Princess moved to trainer Doug O’Neill days after finishing seventh in her debut. She finished third for O’Neill in her second outing before an 11th place finish in her third start on March 4.

Kidmon (Lemon Drop Kid x Motokiks – Storm Cat) – Bought by LEB, Kidmon had not yet raced but worked a few times in January. He hasn’t been on the tab since Jan. 26, however.
                                                                                                 
Perfect Partner (Curlin x Stars Indy Skies – A.P. Indy) – A $550,000 purchase, Perfect Partner has not yet raced but he has been working at Palm Meadows Training Center since late January.

Takeoff (Arch x Frisk Her – Officer) – Breaking his maiden impressively in his third start, Takeoff was sent right to the stakes level in the Grade 3 LeComte Stakes. That move proved to be a good one by trainer Mark Casse with Takeoff finishing third in the race. He hasn’t raced since then.

Bird Orr Brady (Kantharos x Gracious Assault – Glitterman) – The only gelding in this price range from last year’s sale, Bird Orr Brady was a pinhooking success. The 3-year-old was a $30,000 yearling then hammered for $550,000 at this sale less than a year later. He hasn’t yet raced but is working regularly at Santa Anita and is entered for a maiden at Santa Anita on March 11.

Finest (Scat Daddy x Boldy’s Reflection – Bold Ruckus) – A filly bought by Coolmore, Finest is trained by Wesley Ward. The filly has only had one start, finishing sixth at Fair Grounds on Dec. 8, 2016.


Scat Daddy
Tolstoy (Uncle Mo x Free Fee Lady – Victory Gallop) – Bought by WinStar Farm and China Horse Club for $535,000, Tolstoy hasn’t yet started but has been breezing regularly at Palm Beach Downs.

Silver Dust (Tapit x Filare l’Oro – Hard Spun) – A maiden winner by 3 ½ lengths at Churchill Downs on Nov. 20, Silver Dust immediately stepped into the Kentucky Derby trail in his next start. While not a top result, Silver Dust did finish fourth in the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes to take home a $25,000 paycheck.

Prompter (Into Mischief x Narrate – Medaglia d’Oro) - A $500,000 purchase by Spendthrift Farm, Prompter hasn’t raced and hasn’t had any recent works according to Equibase.

2015 March Sale of Selected 2-Year-Olds in Training
Zero Hour (Bernardini x Misty Hour – Miswaki) – The $1.4-million sales topper here two years ago when Live Oak Plantation signed the ticket, Zero Hour broke his maiden in his second start on Woodbine’s all weather track by 6 ¼ lengths in August of last year. His last start was a fifth place finish in the Grade 3 Ontario Derby. He hasn’t had any works in the last 60 days.

Freedom Tower (Broken Vow x Tale of the South – Tale of the Cat) – $950,000 purchase Freedom Tower broke his maiden last out by half a length for trainer and co-owner Linda Rice, Irish Smith Stable and Lady Sheila Stable. 

Hoffenheim (Midnight Lute x Circumstance – Vindication) – While it took a while for Hoffenheim to break his maiden - six starts in fact – the now-gelded son of Midnight Lute has never finished off the board. Hoffenheim broke his maiden on March 6, 2016 at Santa Anita, had a long layoff before returning in December when he won again, then had a trainer change. Since that trainer change, Hoffenheim has finished third in another allowance optional claimer event and was gelded. He returned to the work tab on March 3, four weeks after his last race.

Paschali (Bernardini x Pure Clan – Pure Prize) - The most expensive filly of this edition of the sale when bringing $850,000, Paschali is owned by Lael Stables and Three Chimneys Farm, who bred the filly then bought back into her after Lael signed the ticket. Paschali has raced three times with three off-the-board performances. She hasn’t raced since July 2016 and has no current works.

Freemark (Smart Strike x Carolyn’s Cat – Forestry) – Another expensive purchase who has been gelded since an $800,000 check was signed for him, Freemark was bought at this sale by Coolmore and Stonestreet Stables but currently runs for Anthony Barbanti. The gelding has nine on-the-board finishes in 13 starts but has not yet won a race, though he has finished second six times. He was purchased privately from Coolmore and Stonestreet in May of last year before being claimed for $20,000 in October. He last raced on Feb. 21 where he was again second.

Constellation (Bellamy Road x For Royalty – Not for Love) – The first Grade 1 winner of this group, the $800,000 paid for Constellation paid off. The filly was Grade 1 and Grade 2 placed as a 2-year-old, won three stakes after that and broke through last year at the Grade 1 level at Santa Anita in the La Brea Stakes. She was most recently second in the Grade 3 Las Flores Stakes on March 5. She also proved to be a smart pinhook for Northwest Stud, who paid $155,000 for her as a yearling and sold her six months later for that $800,000.

2016 LA BREA STAKES



Conquest Windycity (Tiznow x Lasting Appeal – A.P. Indy) – One of those horses from the now-defunct Conquest Stables barn, Conquest Windycity ran well for Conquest, finishing fourth in the Grade 3 Iroquois before breaking his maiden at Keeneland. While he was on the Kentucky Derby trail for two starts, he never ran in the Derby, instead finishing third in the James W. Murphy Stakes on the Preakness undercard. Sold for $65,000 at the Conquest dispersal, Conquest Windycity has raced once for his new owners, finishing second in an allowance optional claiming race on Feb. 22.

Acapulco (Scat Daddy x Global Finance – End Sweep) – One of the more well-known horses from this sale, Acapulco got the ball rolling quickly after Coolmore paid $750,000 for her and sent her to Wesley Ward. The filly was third in a Churchill maiden in May, shipped to England for the Grade 2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot, which she won by a length and a half over 19 other horses. In an ambitious move, she then took on her elders (as a 2-year-old) in the Grade 1 Coolmore Nunthorphe Stakes where she finished second and ended her year. She only made three starts last year, with two wins (including a stakes). She was transferred to Aidan O’Brien this year and is aiming for a few big races in Europe early this season after being bred to Galileo (Sadler’s Wells).
Acapulco
Take Charge Niki (Congrats x Christie Village – Deputy Minister) – Out of a half-sister to Take Charge Lady (Dehere), Take Charge Niki broke her maiden on New Year’s Day of this year in her fourth try. She was fifth in an allowance last month and is currently entered for an Allowance Optional Claiming race on March 12.

Conquest Superstar (Uncle Mo x Being Anna – Aldebaran) – A $725,000 purchase from Uncle Mo’s first crop, Conquest Superstar broke his maiden first out in April last year at Keeneland by 1 ¼ lengths. He then finished fifth in a Belmont Park Allowance Optional Claiming race in May before taking a long break. Sold in the Conquest Stables dispersal in November for $185,000, Conquest Superstar has not yet started for his new connections.

Gametown (Street Sense x Czechers – Indian Charlie) – Second in two maiden races in August and September of his 2-year-old year, Gametown then ran in the Grade 1 Claiborne Breeders’ Future at Keeneland where he finished ninth. After a 13 month break, Gametown went through the ring at the Keeneland November Breeding Stock sale where he was purchased by Craig Smith for $2,500.

Moon King (Malibu Moon x Goldilock’s Cat – Seeking the Gold) – Breaking his maiden in his fourth start in April 2016 at Keeneland, Moon King was then second in a Churchill Downs Allowance Optional Claiming race. After finishing 10th in the LARC Sir Barton Stakes in May, he was sold for $95,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Horses of Racing Age Sale to Highfield Investment Group. Moon King was fifth in the Grade 3 British Columbia Derby two starts later and ran in two allowances after that. He hasn’t raced since November and has no current works.

Elfin Cove (Adios Charlie x Siren Cove – Montbrook) – Racing in Japan, this filly has won three of her 11 starts with two other on-the-board finishes. She was first in the Shukugawa Tokubetsu in December and third in the Shoryu Stakes last March. Her first run of this year came on January 28 when she was 10th in the Kawaramachi Stakes.

The Ref (Distorted Humor x Dance Quietly – A.P. Indy) – A $650,000 purchase at this sale, The Ref has made 17 starts so far in his career with his first win coming in a maiden claimer in April 2016 after seven starts. He was claimed in his second start for $12,500 and hasn’t been claimed since, though he’s run in claiming races for that tag in many of his starts. Overall, he has two wins and five other on-the-board finishes.
Distorted Humor
Les Inities (Bernardini x Bohemian Lady – Carson City) – Another Japanese runner, Les Inities has raced 12 times with one win in her career. Most of her success came near the end of last year when she was third in three starts and broke her maiden, the first times she had been on the board in her career. The filly hasn’t raced since Nov. 9, 2016.

Uptown Twirl (Twirling Candy x Sambuca Classica – Cat Thief) – Uptown Twirl is one of those horses who just gets more expensive every time she goes through the ring, partially because she’s a half-sister to champion Classic Empire. An $110,000 yearling, she was sold at this sale for $630,000, won four of her nine races, including two stakes then went through the ring again at Keeneland last year where she sold for $1.075-million at the November Breeding Stock Sale. She hasn’t raced or worked since so odds are she’s being bred this year.

Conquest See Ya (Adios Charlie x Unlimited Pleasure – Valid Appeal) – A $600,000 2-year-old, Conquest See Ya hit the track as a 3-year-old and broke his maiden by three quarters of a length in his second start. The colt was then second in the Paradise Creek Stakes at Belmont Park and won another race three starts later at Woodbine. He was sold for $70,000 to Matthew Schera at the Conquest Stables dispersal during the Keeneland November sale and has raced twice for that owner this year, last time out finishing third in February.

River Dell (Arch x Rebuke – Carson City) – River Dell has only won one race but has been a fairly consistent performer to bring home $90,774 for West Point Thoroughbreds and Robert Masiello. He finished fourth in the Grade 2 Nashua Stakes as a 2-year-old and has been fourth or better in five of his seven starts so far. He last raced on Jan. 8 when finishing ninth in an allowance and has worked out two times since that start.

Agronomy (Sidney’s Candy x Broadway Hennessey – Hennessy) – A $560,000 2-year-old purchase, Agronomy has started 10 times with only one on-the-board finish and no victories. The gelding last raced on Nov. 18, 2016 and has no recent workouts.

Dixie Runner (Flatter x Dixie Crisp – Dixieland Band) – Owned by Robert LaPenta, Bridlewood Farm and Nantucket Thoroughbred Partners, Dixie Runner started out racing for LaPenta, Bridlewood and Sheep Pond Partners before Nantucket replaced Sheep Pond in the ownership. Dixie Runner was second in his debut, won in his third start and tried a stakes in his next out when he was sixth. Since then, he has been running in allowance company with one win and two thirds from six starts since the stakes race. His last race was on Feb. 11, 2017 and he is currently working out regularly.
Flatter
Tristan’s Trilogy (Scat Daddy x Deadly Diva – Unbridled’s Song) – Trained by Pete Miller for Rockingham Ranch, Tristan’s Trilogy took a while to find the winner’s circle, winning in his eighth start. That win came in April of 2016 with the colt then finishing second in the Singletary Stakes to Arcature (Archarcharch). He finished 10th in two allowance races after that and was given a long layoff. He has two recorded works on Equibase in February at the moment but hasn’t worked since Feb. 16.

Conquest City Girl (City Zip x Woodsmoke – Langfuhr) – Another Conquest Stable buy at this sale, Conquest City Girl started out her career in stakes races where she was stakes placed in the Shady Well Stakes at Woodbine. Dropping back to maiden level, she broke he maiden four starts later, earned another stakes placing in the Alywow Stakes and a second in a Woodbine allowance race. After an eighth in the Ontario Colleen Stakes, she was sold in the Conquest dispersal for $240,000 to Tommy Town Thoroughbreds. She won in her second out for those connections and is currently entered to race on March 10.

Conquest Mystique (Kitten’s Joy x Granny Broughton – Sky Mesa) – Conquest Mystique hasn’t done much racing in his career. After finishing fourth in his debut as a 2-year-old, he took off nearly a year, was third in a Woodbine maiden then broke through in his third start a month later. He was sold in the Conquest dispersal for $70,000 to Riverside Bloodstock and has been working regularly since mid-February at Skylight Training Center.

Speight Swiftly (Speightstown x Dance Swiftly – Danzing) – Trained by Mark Casse for Live Oak Plantation, Speight Swiftly has not yet made a start. However, the colt has been working regularly at Palm Meadows Training Center and won his debut on March 10 at Gulfstream Park.

Play Big (Twirling Candy x Gowestforgold – Java Gold) – Another gelding from this class, Play Big has raced 10 times with one on-the-board finish. He has spent his last five races at the maiden claiming level but hasn’t raced since Jan. 5 and has no works on Equibase at the moment.

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