Secret Love draws away from a field of nine 2 year-old fillies to win her debut by 5 commanding lengths. Ridden confidently by Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez, the All-Time money leader, Secret Love took command of this race midway into the stretch to give her sire “Not This Time” his 11th win to lead all Freshman sires in 2020.
Secret Love, a beautifully built chestnut filly, was purchased from the OBS July 20′ sales in Ocala for 270K after demonstrating her prowess by stopping the clock in :9 4/5 seconds during the under tack showcase.
This speedy daughter of Not This Time out Exotic Design was my second overall selection from the Summer sales in July at OBS, which I previously blogged about and highlighted during my auction recap.
In other racing news, Princess Noor makes her third career start in the $200K Grade 2 Chandelier Stakes at Santa Anita this Saturday, September 26, 2020 in race 3.
Hall of Fame Jockey John Velazquez by George Zilberman
Day 1 was filled with terrific values for the astute buyer. With so many consignors withdrawing from the sales, buyers had to refocus their selections and make several last minute decisions. This indecisiveness and the ongoing Covid-19 crises, led to many horses being sold at bargain prices.
Most of these 2 year-olds are also late foals that are still developing and will miss most of the juvenile season as well. However, I was able to identify the winners from the many talented runners we saw this past week. Most notable was Hip #200 on my list, a colt by Honor Code, who worked an easy quarter in :21.2 on day 2 of the breeze show for Dark Star Thoroughbreds. This handsome Dark Brown colt fetched $340,000, the third highest sales price of the day. Hip 200 is out of Storm Hearted by Lion Hearted. Good luck to the winning buyer Speedway Stables.
Another standout from my Short List, Hip 115, a beautiful well balanced filly by Malibu Moon out of Samsational, sold for a whopping $350,000 dollars as the second highest sales price of day 1.
This filly clocked an 1/8 in :10* as she ducked in mid-stretch, for the consignors Wavertree Stables.
As so many horses went for less than their stud fees and operating expenses, the real money landed on the best of the best during the OBS July 20 Sales Spectacular on day 1.
Hip 158 – One of my top choices, number 4 on my Short List and my personal favorite, sold for a fair $200,000 (6th highest of the day) for a daughter by Medaglia D’Oro out of Sigurwana. I just love the stride on this filly as she gobbled up the ground working an effortless quarter in :21.2
Good luck to the winning buyers!
Hip 211– Featured in my previous blog and 6th overall ,may have been the steal of the day. This mammouth 2 year-old colt by Liam’s Map, who gingerly covered an 1/8 in an easy :10.1 sold for $100,000. This big boy is a May foal and is still growing. All the best to the winning owner Abdullah S. Almaddah.
Hip 337- My 7th selection, went unsold at $95,000. A filly by More Than Ready/Witchey One, who was featured in my videos worked an 1/8 in :10 flat. A wise decision to keep this baby as she is one to watch.
I’m excited for OBS July 20 Sales Spectacular Day 2, which continues tomorrow, featuring Hip numbers 361-720.
My second best pick of the day is a filly by the exciting young sire “Not This Time” who is producing all types of runners with speed and class. Hip 640 is out of Exotic Design by A.P Indy by the All-time great Seattle Slew.
On a disappointing note, Hip 355 a gorgeous well built, nicely balanced chestnut filly was let go for a bargain price of $13,000. A daughter by a leading Freshman sire Air Force Blue by the great producing sire War Front, who displayed a powerful 3 Furlong workout in :33 seconds, was purchased by Andy Bianco. I’m hoping this filly successfully makes it to the track. I can only assume she did not vet well during inspection. This was my top selection overall from the more than 1100 entries I reviewed. Andy, keep me posted on her progress as she develops into a superstar.
On other exciting news, Saratoga Racecourse opens this Thursday July 16, 2020 for a 40 day meet filled with the top horses, trainers and jockeys in the world. Making it more interesting, Jockeys are forbidden to ride at other racetracks and return for the balance of the Saratoga meet. Some jockeys were intending to ride in the Haskell this coming Saturday.
All the best be safe and be well.
Feel free to leave your comments and suggestions regarding:
Hip 517 at OBS July 20 demonstrating that horses can really fly. The Factor by Cherub, a beautiful bay colt showing off his extended stride as he glides through the air during the under tack show at the Ocala Breeder’s Show. This precocious 2 year-old colt appears to be race ready as he drilled an easy furlong in :10.2 with a very strong gallop out into the turn. Consigned by Hemingway Racing and Training Stables, Truenicks rated this horse a B. This nicely bred colt is by the Factor, who is by the great sire War Front and his Dam is by the late Giant’s Causeway. I’m excited to see this juvenile sell next week and look forward to his bright future.
In other horse racing news, tomorrow is the running of the Grade ll Ruffian stakes at Belmont Park. Monomoy Girl is making her second start of the year for trainer Brad Cox. This remarkable mare finished first in every race except one, where she was beaten by a neck by Road to Victory, as a two year-old filly. Listed as the morning line favorite at 2-5, Monomoy Girl faces 4 others, including the talented Always Shopping, who will be ridden by my good friend Eric Cancel.
Hip #640 A late May foal, New York Bred filly by Not This Time out of Exotic Design, by A.P. Indy, a daughter of Grade 1 winner Exotic Wood and a full-sister to stakes winner Key to Power. This solid chestnut breezed an 1/8 in :9 4/5 seconds, the fastest at this distance from all runners through day 4 at OBS in Ocala. I’ve been extremely impressed with almost every runner by this Freshman sire Not This Time, from the short swift ones to the long and lanky fast ones. These babies sure do know how to run.
Good luck to the buyer who lands this wonderful filly who will take advantage of the increased purses from the lucrative New York bred program. Consigned by de Meric Sales, Agent. Truenicks Rating A
Hip #647 Pledgecaught my eye today. Another filly with a big stride that stopped the clock in :10.1 with little effort. This well bred 2 year-old by Candy Ride (Arg) out of Faithful, is a daughter of Vindication by Seattle Slew. On the Dam side, you have Chosen Lady by Secratariat. This gorgeous bay filly has the proper conformation and walk to turn into a star. Truenicks Rating: A
I posted my Short List with other notables with two more exciting days of breezes.
Stay tuned for day 5 with my latest analysis and selections from OBS in Ocala, Florida.
Day three under tack show is now in the books at OBS. Most of the runners completed their drills before the rains came, that slowed the track down a bit. However, I spotted several key horses today that are potential winners. Hip #510, a dark bay or brown filly by the hot freshman sire ” Not This Time “out of a Street Boss mare Champagne Sparkle cantered down the stretch in a seamless :10* flat. Her rider was practically motionless as she zipped through the lane. This is definitely the sire to watch as his 2 year-olds are burning up the track in 2020. Consigned by Oscar Brown Stables, this April foal received a TruenicksB+ rating.
Hip #494, I’m just loving these large fillies that eat up the ground with every stride with an effortless motion. This DialedIn filly is out of an Empire Maker Dam “Cartia” out of Zuppardo Ardo, winner of $667,000, including the Humana Distaff Handicap at Churchill Downs. Yes, she can certainly run, clocking a quick quarter in :21.1 This Florida bred is consigned by Arindel. Truenicks A++
Stay tuned for day 4 with my latest analysis and selections from OBS in Ocala, Florida.
