Fusaichi Pegasus filly tops opening day at Fasig-Tipton.
A filly sired by Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus and produced from the Peruvian champion La Chaposa was purchased by Stan Fulton's Fleetwood/New Wave for $800,000 as the top-priced offering at Wednesday's Fasig-Tipton Kentucky summer yearling sale. Asked about the final purchase price for the filly, who is a half-sister to grade I winners Chaposa Springs and You and I, Fulton said: "Just look at the page." The sale that began Wednesday and continues through Thursday is the first of the year as a result of the Keeneland Association taking a year off from its annual summer sale. Midway through the session, trainer Bruce Headley went to $600,000 to acquire a colt from the first crop of Pimlico Special winner Golden Missile. The colt, consigned by Angus Glen Farm, was produced from the Forty Niner mare American River, a half-sister to graded stakes winner Firm Pledge. Headley declined to say on whose behalf he purchased the colt. The first big-priced horse was one of the first through the ring, with James McIngvale acquiring a Cat Thief colt for $600,000. J. B. McKathan, who with his brother Kevin represented McIngvale in the Cat Thief transaction, said they are looking for top-quality horses and that the Florida-bred colt consigned by Hill Œn1 Dale Sales Agency fit the bill. "There are not going to be many as nice as him this year," McKathan said. "He has a good body and looks like he could be a very versatile horse." The colt was purchased for $170,000 at last year1s Keeneland November breeding stock sale by Canadian Club Partners. Donato Lanni, who works for Hill 'n' Dale, said the colt was owned by about a dozen of his family and friends. The immediate underbidder on the colt produced from the Deputy Minister mare Langara was Texan Tom Durant, who was accompanied by his advisers‹Hoby and Layna Kight. "We're happy with the price," said Hill 'n' Dale owner John Sikura. "We thought he was a $500,000 or better colt." The session's fourth-highest price of $500,000 was paid by Jeanne Vance fora colt from the first crop of champion Lemon Drop Kid. Vance, who was represented by trainer Bill Mott, campaigned Lemon Drop Kid, winner of the 1999 Belmont Stakes. Consigned by Lane's End, the colt was produced from the graded-placed mare April Starlight, by Storm Bird.
