Last night at Fasig-Tipton’s Preferred Sale of New York-breds, Nancy Purcell and Pat Crampton leaned on the rail outside the walking ring and eyeballed hip number 342.

It would be her first horse. A Skip Away filly, Purcell explained, and they were flying under the radar. Going to snatch her up. $10,000. Sold.

Crampton thought they got a good bargain. He smiled.

“Being a Skip Away, she kinda slid under the radar a little bit, but she’s got a great body and she’ll give Nancy a good start.”

“Kentucky Oaks, two years from now,” Nancy joked.

Crampton laughed.

“She’s thinking Kentucky Oaks; I’m thinking $20,000 maiden claimer,” he said.

“I’ve been riding all my life,” Purcell said. “But actually buying that filly and getting what I think is a real value…”

She practically beamed.

“Now that’s exhilarating!”