Storm Cat Colt Could Be the Saratoga Sale Topper

History could repeat itself at Fasig-Tipton's Saratoga select yearling sale when hip No. 148 steps into the ring. The Storm Cat colt's dam, Gone to Venus, has produced two previous Saratoga sale toppers by the same sire: Saudi Poetry and Habayeb. The former, who became a grade II winner brought $1.7 million in 1998, and the later sold for $3.3 million in 2000.

This year's Storm Cat yearling out of Gone to Venus is a flashy chestnut, with four white feet. And there is talk that the colt has all the ingredients needed to carry on his dam's sale-topping tradition.

"He's a May foal, but he's very mature," said Braxton Lynch of Three Chimneys Sales, which consigns the colt as agent for his breeder, the Ohio-based Beau Ravine Farm of Ed and Pat Pavlish. "He's well-balanced with a big, impressive body, and he's extremely correct. He's been a man among boys since day one. He's what you dream of when you already have the pedigree in place. What puts him in the next category is serious sire potential to go along with a correct, athletic body. He's the spitting image of Saudi Poetry. If you painted one you want to try to shoot the moon with, you'd come pretty close with him."

Other horses generating a buzz include the following:

Hip No. 154, a High Yield -- Here Comes Chelsie colt, consigned by Dromoland/Hartwell, agent. A big, handsome colt that brought $335,000 as a weanling at least year's Keeneland November breeding stock sale. His dam, a winning daughter of Dehere, is a half-sister to stakes winner Chelsie's House.

Hip No. 183, Grand Slam -- Light of the Moon colt, consigned by Mill Ridge Sales, agent. The black type on the dam side might not blow you away, but this colt's powerful-looking body suggests that he is a horse that can make his own pedigree. "I think he's a pretty special horse," said Mill Ridge's Bayne Welker. "He's been a pretty special horse since he was a foal. He's very correct, and he's always stood out among everything else he's been around. He's a notch above the others. He's one of those horses that's got a great walk and terrific balance. He looks like he's going to be a two-turn horse, a nice kind of 3-year-old, which is what the market wants right now." Welker said to also keep an eye on Hip No. 172, a Tale of the Cat -- Jurisprudence colt.

Hip No. 84, a Giant's Causeway -- Alaska Queen colt, consigned by Gainesway, agent. This colt is a half-brother to grade II winner Keats and is also from the family of grade II winners Darn That Alarm and Strong Performance. "He's by a hot horse, Giant's Causeway, who's made a terrific start to his career," said Gainsway's Michael Hernon. "He's a big, attractive horse that is a good mover and correct. He's well-related, being a half to Keats, who was a pretty high class horse. The colt has shown very well, and he appears to be popular at this stage. We think he's a real good prospect.

Hip No. 162, a filly by Elusive Quality   -- Indy Flash, consigned by Gainesway, agent.
This filly is a half-sister to stakes winner Galloping Gal, consigned by Gainesway, agent. "I think she's a special filly," Gainesway's Michael Hernon said. "She's just got lot of charisma. She's big and rangy; there's a lot of A.P. Indy (her broodmare sire) in her. She's also a good mover."

Hip No. 115, a Gone West--Dance Swiftly colt, consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent. He's out of the unraced Danzig mare Dance Swifty, a full sister to Canadian Horse of the Year and North American champion Dance Smartly. She's also a half-sister to grade I winner Smart Strike. "Every time Mr. Prospector (Gone West's sire) has been crossed back on this family you get a graded stakes horse. This colt is also from a stallion's family. You've got Smart Strike in the second dam." Also watch out for: Hip No. 46, an Unbridled's Song -- Song to Remember filly; Hip No. 107, an Unbridled's Song -- Clever Monique colt that is a half-brother to graade I winner and promising young sire Yes It's True; Hip No. 61, a Tiznow   -- Thega colt; and Hip No. 164, an El Corredor -- Inspired Hope colt.

Hip No. 3, a Giant's Causeway -- Overturned colt, consigned by Four Star Sales, agent.
This colt is a half-brother to grade III winner Capsized.

Hip No. 132, a Fusaichi Pegasus -- Fineza filly, consigned by Stone Farm, agent for Stone Farm and Stonerside Stable. This filly is a half-sister to grade I winner Keeper Hill and to grade II winner Golden Gear.

Hip No. 170, a Storm Cat--Jewel Princess filly, consigned by Eaton Sales, agent. Her dam was a champion and Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) winner. This filly is a full sister to stakes-placed One Nice Cat.

Hip No. 26, an A.P. Indy--Seebe filly, consigned by Derry Meeting Farm, agent. This filly's dam was a group III winner in England and a grade III winner in this country. The mare also finished second in the Dubai Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (Fr-I). Other members of the filly's family include European champion Selkirk.