by Cynthia McFarland

The Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. spring sale of two-year-olds in training posted increases in total receipts, average price, and median during Tuesday’s session, which was topped by a racy colt by Silver Deputy that brought $220,000.

Padua Stables purchased the bay colt out of the winning Kris S mare Kris Star, a half sister to Grade 2-placed stakes winner Tiger Hunt. Consigned by Parrish Farms, agent, the colt worked two furlongs in :21.60 at the under-tack show.

“He was fast and a nice horse. Hopefully, he justifies it,” said Sasha Sanan, assistant racing manager of Padua Stables, adding that the colt will spend time at the farm before a trainer is decided upon.

OBSC reported 202 horses as sold from 271 offered for total receipts of $6,196,200, a 7.7% increase compared with the corresponding 2007 session, in which 210 horses sold for $5,751,700. The average price of $30,674 rose 12 % compared with last year, and median jumped 10.5% to $21,000.

The highest-priced filly was an athletic bay by freshman sire Toccet who sold for $210,000. Donato Lanni signed the ticket on behalf of buyer Hal J. Earnhardt III, and said she will be trained by Bob Baffert in California. The filly worked a quarter-mile in :21.40, and she is out of the Jade Hunter mare Hunting Jade, a half sister to multiple stakes winner and sire Misnomer and stakes winner Darling Danzig.

“I aimed her for this sale because she’s a May foal,” consignor Murray Smith said. “I think when you put a good physical in one of the later sales, they stand out, and apparently she did.”

Trainer Bob Holthus was again busy on day two for Frank Fletcher Racing Operations, going to $180,000 to secure Forest Masterpiece, a dark bay or brown colt by Forestry. Out of the Seeking the Gold mare Jurisprudence, he is a half brother to three winners, including Grade 1-placed El Prado Rob. Consigned by Sunrise Stable South, agent, Forest Masterpiece worked an eighth in :10.20.

New-York based trainer Billy Badgett went to $162,000 for a colt by champion Gilded Time. Consigned by Ciaran Dunne’s Wavertree Stables Inc., agent, the dark bay or brown colt is out of the Storm Cat mare Itsmylife. He worked a quarter-mile in :10.40.

The sale continues Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. EDT with the third of four sessions.

For hip-by-hip results, click here.

Cynthia McFarland is a Florida-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent