With few hours left before the first session of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga select yearling sale, trainer Kenny McPeek shared the short list of horses he believes will bring big prices.
The auction, which attracts prominent horsemen from across the globe, will take place during two sessions Aug. 6-7, each of which starts at 7 p.m. at the Humphrey S. Finney sales pavilion.
McPeek gave a presentation during an Aug. 6 Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders’ Association pedigree and conformation seminar in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., where he taught attendees about how he narrows down the list of horses he sends to his clients prior to each sale.
McPeek, who occasionally buys horses to race in partnership under his Magdalena Racing banner, purchased the highest priced yearling at the Fasig Tipton Kentucky July sale when he went to $375,000 for a Malibu Moon colt on behalf of Magic City Thoroughbreds. The colt was consigned by Candyland, agent.
“You never know where a good horse could come from,” said McPeek, who purchased two-time Horse of the Year Curlin as a yearling for $57,000. McPeek also sold a colt by Bernardini —Lauren’s Tizzy for $500,000 through Taylor Made Sales Agency at last year’s Saratoga yearling sale. The colt was bought by Sheikh Mohammad’s bloodstock agent John Ferguson, who is expected to also be active at this year’s sale.
Here’s a look at McPeek’s short list of horses:
Hip No. 5, a colt by Distorted Humor —Indy’s Windy, by A.P. Indy
Hip No. 10, a colt by Exchange Rate —Kicken Vixen, by Vindication
Hip No. 25, a filly by Flower Alley—Lisieux, by Steady Growth
Hip No. 27, a colt by Mr. Greeley—Lottacosta, by Cat Thief
Hip No. 31, a filly by Successful Appeal —Merrill Gold, by Gold Fever
Hip No. 44, a filly by Street Sense —Ocicat, by Storm Cat
Hip No. 48, a colt by War Pass—Pennant Champion, by Mr. Prospector
Hip No. 56, a filly by More Than Ready —Queen’s Court, by Monarchos
Hip No. 64, a colt by Speightstown —Renda, by Medaglia d'Oro
Hip No. 65, a colt by Street Sense —Richbabe, by Richman
Hip No. 69, a colt by Bernstein—Roaring Twenties, by Dixieland Band
Hip No. 70, a colt by Bernardini —Rooney’s Princess, by Deputy Minister
Hip No. 76, a filly by Tapit —Sayedah, by Darshaan
Hip No. 85, a filly by Bernardini —Shesabullwinkle, by Hesabull
Hip No. 91 (possible sale topper, according to McPeek), a colt by Empire Maker —Sluice, by Seeking the Gold
Hip No. 103, a filly by Smart Strike—Supposedly, by Polish Numbers
Hip No. 104, a colt by Candy Ride —S W Aly’svalentine, by Malibu Moon
Hip No. 107, a colt by Street Cry—Sweet Talker, by Stormin Fever (McPeek trained Sweet Talker)
Hip No. 114 (another possible sale topper, McPeek said), a colt by Malibu Moon —Unenchantedevening, by Unbridled's Song
Hip No. 129, a filly by Hard Spun —Alarming Prospect, by Darn That Alarm (McPeek trained grade II-winning half sister French Park)
Hip No. 130, a colt by Tapit —All Deuces Wild, by Rahy
Hip No. 136, a colt by Curlin —A to the Croft, by Menifee
Hip No. 152, a filly by Dynaformer—Caught in the Rain, by Petionville
Hip No. 154, a filly by Old Fashioned —Cintarosa, by Grand Slam
Hip No. 155, a colt by Awesome Again —C J’s Leelee, by Mizzen Mast (McPeek, who trained C J’s Leelee, called Hip 155 “The prettiest horse in the sale. He’s got a beautiful hip, shoulder, everything. He’s a beauty. He was raised at my farm and I recommended the mating.”
Hip No. 159, a filly by Harlan's Holiday—County Fair, by Mr. Prospector
Hip No. 179, a filly by Scat Daddy —For My Pleasure, by Numerous
Hip No. 183, a filly by Dixie Union—Frozen Treat, by Dynaformer
Hip No. 185, a filly by Curlin —Garden District, by Dixie Union
