A brisk tailwind helped lower the times Sunday at Calder Race Course during the second and final under tack show for the Fasig-Tipton Florida select sale of 2-year-olds in training.
Nine horses turned in the day's fastest time of :10 for an eighth of a mile. They included three 2-year-olds consigned by brothers J.B. and Kevin McKathan: a Successful Appeal -- House d'Or colt, a More Than Ready -- Miss Garland filly, and a Storm Boot-- Motel Lass filly named Stormin Lassie. The others were a Street Cry-- Holiday Runner filly, consigned by John D. Stephens; a Distorted Humor -- Nothing Special colt, consigned by Nick de Meric, agent; a Sky Mesa -- Procession colt, consigned by Niall Brennan Stables; a Sky Mesa -- Sailing On colt, consigned by Kirkwood Stables, agent; a Forestry -- Unbridled Spirit colt, consigned by Four Roses Thoroughbreds; and a Mineshaft -- Coral Sea colt, consigned by Kirkwood. During the auction's first under tack show on Feb. 25, only one horse worked an eighth in :10.
The fastest clocking at quarter mile Sunday was the :21.0 turned in by a Malibu Moon -- Val U Me filly. Her consignor is Breaking Point Farm. The quickest time for a quarter during the first under tack show was :21 1/5.
"The track conditions were very different; it was like night and day," said consignor Niall Brennan, comparing the sale's two under tack shows. "Today, we had a tailwind. There was no humidity, and it was cooler. Calder is always fast when there's cooler weather and the humidity is lower because the moisture stays in the track and it's a lot tighter. Last week, we had a very strong headwind with a very dry, loose track.
"Secondly," Brennan continued, "you've got natural improvement. These babies are going to improve from the first time you really ask them to run like that."
The Fasig-Tipton auction will be held Tuesday at Calder, beginning at 11 a.m. (EST).