Songandaprayer Colt, Fusaichi Pegasus Filly Attracting Buyers' Attention at Barretts

With so many fast workout times, it's been more difficult to sort out which horses at the Barretts March sale of 2-year-olds in training are the best racing prospects for the long haul and which have only cheap speed. But here are some of the ones that sale company officials and consignors say have been getting a lot of attention from buyers:

Hip No. 143, What a Song, a Songandaprayer   – What a Knight colt, consigned by Murray Smith, agent. He worked a quarter mile in an amazing :20.6, which is believed to be a record for juvenile auction. "He's like high-performance luxury sports car; he's smooth, and he has a lot of gears," Smith said. A $95,000 graduate of last year's Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July select yearling sale, the colt is out of a stakes-winning mare. Also watch out for Hip No. 11, a Wild Wonder – Grannies Feather filly named Bliss Fit in Smith's consignment. The filly has a pedigree that will be attractive to Japanese buyers. She's a full sister to Fusaichi Rock Star, who brought $825,000 from Japanese entrepreneur Fusao Sekiguchi at last year's Fasig-Tipton Florida select auction.

Hip No. 120, a Fusaichi Pegasus   – Synformer filly, consigned by H.T. Stables (Allen Jenkins), agent for Cam Allard. A half-sister to Blue Grass Stakes (gr. II) winner Wild Syn, she was purchased by Allard for $200,000 at last year's Keeneland September yearling sale. "She's so smooth," Jenkins said. "She's one of those horses that has to use no effort to run. She acts special to me." Blessed with a powerful-looking body, the filly worked an eighth of a mile in :10.1. The H.T. Stables consignment also includes Hip No. 129, an Indian Charlie – Tupelo Belle colt that worked an eighth in :10.0, the fastest time for the distance during the sale's second and final under tack show Sunday. He has a long, smooth stride that gobbles up the ground.

Hip No. 187, a Dixie Union – Devil's Orchid colt, consigned by Becky Thomas of Sequel Bloodstock, agent. Has blazing speed (worked an eighth of a mile in :10.0), but a laid-back attitude, suggesting he'll be able to relax early when the racing distances get longer. Thomas purchased him for $125,000 at last year's Keeneland September yearling sale. Other Sequel horses to keep an eye on, according to Thomas, are Hip No. 8, a Tiznow   – Golden Try colt; Hip No. 80, a Bertrando – Raw Gold colt; Hip No. 164, a High Yield – Bit of the Bubbly filly, and Hip No. 181, a Five Star Day – Dance Alexas filly.

Hip No. 43, a Grand Slam – Marsh Cat colt, consigned by Jerry Bailey Sales Agency, agent. "I think he's as good as we've ever had," Bailey said. "He's done everything he's supposed to do without a hiccup, and that's as good as they get." The colt worked an eighth in :10.2. Also in Bailey's consignment is Hip No. 45, a Hennessy – Meadow Flyer colt that rocketed through an eighth in :9.9. Other colts with promise include Hip No. 171, a son of Maria's Mon – City Gold, and Hip No. 185, a son of Grand Slam – Delamere. Talented fillies include Hip No. 64, a daughter of Forestry – Penilee; Hip No. 114, a daughter of Forest Wildcat – Style and Class; Hip No. 134, a daughter of Tale of the Cat   – Unbridled Pleasure; and Hip No. 173, a daughter of Grand Slam – Clever Squaw. "Those four fillies are hard to separate," Bailey said. "We're loaded."

Hip No. 135, Tale of the Cat   – Unchained Princess filly, consigned by Niall Brennan Stables, agent. A half-sister to stakes winner Unchained Storm (by Storm Creek), the filly worked an eighth of a mile in :10.0. "She would be quite typical for the sire," Brennan said. "She's an average size filly, but she's beautifully balanced, well-made, and has tremendous action on the racetrack. She's tremendously efficient and gets into stride very quickly. There's no wasted movement." Mike Ryan purchased the filly for $145,000 at the 2004 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July select yearling auction.

Hip No. 46, a Point Given   – Merengue colt, consigned by Wavertree Stables, agent. Blew the turn in his first quarter-mile work and finished in a slow :22.1. Redeemed himself the second time around, hugging the rail Sunday and covering the distance in :21.1. He and two other horses shared the honors for the fastest quarter that day. Second Wind Stable purchased the colt for $290,000 at last year's Keeneland September yearling sale. "He's a big horse, with a great hip and shoulder," said Ciaran Dunne of Wavertree. "He's got a lot of Broad Brush (his broodmare sire) in him. He's got tremendous bone and doesn't look like a sprinter, but he's obviously got sprinter speed."

Additional horses that their consignors believe could bring high prices include Hip No. 61, a Northern Afleet   – Onesiphorus colt, consigned by Terry Oliver, agent; Hip No. 50, a Benchmark – Miss Soft Sell colt, consigned by B.C.3. Thoroughbreds, agent for Timberline; Hip No. 177, a Devon Lane – Cozzy Flyer filly, consigned by B.C.3. Thoroughbreds, agent for Timberline; Hip No. 75, an Indian Charlie – Pulaski Countess filly, consigned by B.C.3. Thoroughbreds; Hip No. 63, an A.P. Indy – Pacheca colt, consigned by Paula Capestro Bloodstock; and Hip No. 65, a Giant's Causeway   – Penny Mint filly, consigned by Paula Capestro Bloodstock.