MARYLAND SPRINT H. (gr. III ), Pimlico , May 18, 2013 , $150,000 Guaranteed , value of race $150,000 , 3 yo's & up , 6 furlongs , 1:10.51 Dirt FT .

Michael Dubb must have seen something in Maryland Sprint Handicap (gr. III) winner Sage Valley that others didn’t notice at the 2010 Keeneland September yearling sale when he claimed the colt in his second start for $50,000 through trainer Rudy Rodriguez.

Consigned to the Keeneland sale by breeder Doug Arnold’s Buck Pond Farm, agent, Sage Valley failed to meet his reserve when the bidding stopped at $47,000.

“He was a nice-looking baby, but he was small for his age,” said Arnold as to why Sage Valley may have been overlooked. “Though he was late maturing, he seemed to be sound.”

In spite of Sage Valley’s unimposing size, the son of Discreet Cat went on to win his career debut at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, after which Arnold decided to enter him in a starter/optional claiming contest. Arnold liked Sage Valley, but he typically keeps only the fillies that are born at his Versailles, Ky., farm.

Current owner Dubb is now being rewarded for having faith in the potential of Sage Valley, who in the Maryland Sprint Handicap recorded his fourth straight victory off a six-month layoff. The 4-year-old colt had not raced since posting a 63/4-length score in the Mr. Nasty Stakes at Aqueduct last November. He has now earned $243,200 from eight career starts.

Arnold bought Sage Valley’s multiple stakes-winning dam, Ashwood C C (by Cryptoclearance), for $35,000 at the 2006 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky February mixed sale from Mr. and Mrs. William Wofford, agents.

“She’s a real good, well-balanced mare, was very sound, and had earned nearly $600,000,” said Arnold of Ashwood C C, a daughter of stakes winner Dylan’s Crafty (by Crafty Prospector).

Sage Valley is the third winner from as many starters for Ashwood C C, whose 5-year-old daughter, Powhatan Princess (by Indian Charlie), is a $100,000-plus earner. Arnold reported Powhatan Princess is now retired from racing. Kept at Buck Pond, she is in foal to Eskendereya.

Ashwood C C, who has not produced a foal since Sage Valley, is carrying a full sibling to the Maryland Sprint winner.

Discreet Cat is the sire of nine stakes winners. Among his four 2013 black-type winners is grade II victor Discreet Dancer. Discreet Cat stands for $12,500 at Darley near Lexington.—E.M.