by Frank Angst and Esther Marr
While several buyers and consignors noted that it seemed difficult to guess where upper-end prices will fall at the July 15 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July yearling sale, many figure to be keeping a close eye on the following half-dozen.
Hip No. 29, a filly by Malibu Moon —Instrumentalist, by Bernstein and Hip No. 130, a colt by Malibu Moon—Silver Reserve, by Silver Deputy. Both consigned by Paramount Sales, agent
"She's a very correct filly by Malibu Moon who is one of the hottest horses of 2013. She's very athletic and has a nice body. The Malibu Moon colt really reminds me of his sire with his nice, big hip and shoulder. He's also a great mover, which is getting a lot of people's attention." — Pat Costello of Paramount Sales
Hip No. 72, a colt by Tapit —Mother Russia, by Mayakovsky. Consigned by Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services, agent
"He's a very forward chestnut colt. He's out of a mare that won multiple stakes. Somebody commented to me that he's not gray (like his sire). But to me, he's a lot like Trappe Shot, who also is a chestnut and to me he's probably the most valuable Tapit out there right now as a stallion. I'd say there are a lot of similarities to Trappe Shot. He has a big hip; he's a strong early horse." — John Stuart of Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services
Hip No. 206, a colt by Warrior's Reward —Big Lou, by Malibu Moon. Consigned by Woods Edge Farm, agent
"He's an impressive horse; big, strong correct colt. There's a lot of quality there and I think he's been well-admired." — Peter O'Callaghan of Woods Edge Farm
Hip No. 235, a filly by Into Mischief —Diva Dyna, by Grand Slam. Consigned by Select Sales, agent
"The sire has gone so far above and beyond. We sold (his son) Vyjack out of (Fasig-Tipton July) two years ago and he became a grade II stakes winner and ran in the Kentucky Derby, so we're delighted the client sent her to us and she's being received very well." — Carrie Brogden of Select Sales
Hip No. 240, a filly named Seeking Paradise by Blame —Eden's Storm, by Stormy Atlantic . Consigned by Dapple Stud, agent
"She's always been a very nice filly, very athletic. She's been well-received so far; we've already had about 50 shows and four or five second-looks on her. So we're feeling pretty confident right now, cautiously optimistic. She's handled the pressure of the sale grounds well and she prepped well for us. She's always willing to do her prep work in the mornings." — Stuart Morris, director of sales for Dapple Stud