by Pete Denk

When Ocala-based pinhooker Tony Bowling says he is all in for the two-year-old sales of 2009, he means it on more than one level.

In a year when many pinhookers have been more conservative with their purchases, Bowling said he has been involved in the purchase of 48 yearlings—about 20 more than he bought last year—for a total of about $2.7-million.

“I believe when everyone is standing around with their hands in their pockets, that’s the time to buy horses,” Bowling said from the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Eastern fall yearling sale in Timonium, Maryland, on Wednesday. “I think things will be better by spring. I think the economy will be better.”

In another sense, Bowling also is all in. He and good friend Bobby Dodd have discontinued their Bowling and Dodd two-year-old consignment, and Bowling has formed All In Sales.

Bowling and Dodd pinhooked horses together for about 25 years . Graduates of their program include Grade 1 winner Music Merci, Group 1 winner Saratoga County, multiple Grade 3 winner and influential sire Valid Expectations, and Grade 2 winner Hesabull.

“It’s been a great relationship and a very good, long run. Bobby’s like a brother to me,” Bowling said. “Bobby and I will still do things together, just not with the two-year-olds. He’s one of my best friends in the world. It’s just a matter of doing different things.”

Dodd’s specialty is pinhooking weanlings to yearlings, while Bowling excels at preparing yearlings for two-year-old sales.

Bowling’s new pinhooking partner for the juvenile sales is Dave McKathan of M&H Bloodstock. Bowling and McKathan have been signing tickets this year as M & B Bloodstock.

They purchased 12 horses for $409,500 at the Midlantic Eastern fall yearling sale, which concluded Wednesday.

“Dave felt the same way I did about the market this year—a little bullish,” Bowling said. “This is a numbers game, and you have to be lucky. I figure if you can increase your numbers by pooling your money while spreading out the risk a little, that’s good.

“Dave and I will be in together on the purchase of the horses, and we’ll divide them up and sell them from different consignments.”

Bowling believes the yearling market of 2008, which underwent a substantial price correction, has presented some great buying opportunities.

“I’m getting more value for my dollar than I’ve ever gotten in my life,” Bowling said. “That’s why my gut tells me to keep going.”

Pete Denk is sales editor for Thoroughbred Times