War Front filly tops robust OBS opener at $275,000

Buzz Chace, agent for Jayeff B Stable, purchased a filly by War Front for the

top price of $275,000 at Monday's opening session of the Ocala Breeders' Sales

Company's Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training. Cataloged as Hip No. 261,

the Kentucky-bred dark bay was consigned by Alexandra de Meric and Brandon Rice,

agent.

Monday's trade witnessed substantial gains across the board compared to last

year's opener. OBS reported that 189 juveniles realized $5,517,900, an increase

of 20.5 percent from the $4,579,100 raked in by 196 horses a year ago. The

average climbed 25 percent, from $23,363 to $29,195, while the median rose 11.1

percent, from $18,000 to $20,000. The 30.8 percent buy-back percentage was also

up, however, from the 25.7 percent recorded in 2010.

The February 23-foaled session topper, who worked one furlong in :10 1/5 at

last Tuesday's under tack show, first sold for $80,000 as a Keeneland September

yearling. The second foal from multiple stakes winner Tappin for Gold (Pleasant

Tap), she hails from the family of multiple Grade 3 hero Mr. Sinatra (Mining).

A Kafwain filly, Hip 102, brought $200,000 from Grace Stables. The New

York-bred drilled a quarter-mile in :21 for consignor Eddie Woods, agent, at the

preview, and furnished a healthy dividend from her $31,000 purchase price as a

yearling at OBS August.

The dark bay is the first foal from the winning Chief Seattle mare Seattle

Splash, who is herself a half-sister to Grade 3-placed stakes winner and stakes

producer Splasha (Twining) as well as Canadian stakes victress Murani (Distorted

Humor).

Rounding out the leading trio was a $175,000 filly from the first crop of the

late Sunriver, snapped up by Joe Ciaglia. Another New York-bred offered by Eddie

Woods, agent, Hip 197 had likewise sped two furlongs in :21 on Tuesday.

A $40,000 OBS August yearling, the chestnut is out of the unraced

Starinthemeadow (Meadowlake) and comes from the immediate family of Spinaway S.

(G1) heroine Stormy Pick (Storm Creek).

The day's best-selling colts each fetched $150,000, including a Trippi

half-brother to current multiple Grade 1 queen Turbulent Descent (Congrats).

Hidden Brook, agent, bought the Florida-bred from the consignment of Ocala Stud.

The bay colt out of the unraced Roger's Sue (Forestry) negotiated a

quarter-mile in :21 1/5 under the saddle, just five days before his famous

half-sister provided him with a catalog update by romping in Sunday's Beaumont

S. (G2). Turbulent Descent, whose signature wins have come in the Hollywood

Starlet S. (G1) and Santa Anita Oaks (G1), will seek another Grade 1 laurel in

the June 11 Acorn S. (G1).

Also bringing $150,000 was a Sharp Humor colt consigned by James Layden Sr.,

agent, and purchased by Lane's End Bloodstock. Sporting Hip 111, the

Ontario-bred chestnut negotiated an eighth in :10 1/5 at the under tack show.

The juvenile was produced by the El Gran Senor mare Senorita Spike, making him a

half-brother to multiple Grade 3-placed Tap Tap Tapping (Tapit), and was

originally knocked down for just $25,000 at Fasig-Tipton Kentucky last October.

The four-day auction resumes Tuesday, with Hips 345-688 slated to go through

the ring. Hips 689-1032 sell on Wednesday, and Hips 1033-1377 will tour the ring

on Thursday. Sessions begin daily at 10:30 a.m. (EDT).

For complete results, as well as live video of the sale, log onto the

OBS website.