NEWS
Better conditions, faster breezes at OBS March
Posted: Sunday, March 14, 2010 6:27 PM
by John P. Sparkman
Colts by Exchange Rate and Henny Hughes and a filly by Badge of Silver posted the fastest workouts on Sunday at the second of two under-tack shows for the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. March sale of selected two-year-olds in training.
The two-day breeze show originally was scheduled for Thursday, March 11, and Friday, March 12, but torrential rains hit the Ocala facility on Thursday, forcing a postponement.
Conditions improved on Sunday during the second session, compared with Saturday’s first breeze show.
Noble Exchange, a colt by Exchange Rate consigned by Eisaman Equine, agent, breezed a quarter in :21, a tick faster than any quarter-mile workout during the first under-tack show. Eisaman Equine Services purchased the half brother to stakes-placed winner Winsome Charm for $87,000 at the 2009 OBS winter mixed sale.
“We started an hour earlier because of the time change [to Eastern Daylight Time Sunday morning], so we beat the wind,” said Tom Ventura, director of sales for OBS. Horses breezed into a headwind throughout much of the day on Saturday. “It was not as significant a factor as it was [Saturday], plus we had another day further away from the five-inch deluge on Thursday. Conditions were tougher yesterday and got tougher later in the day.
“Considering the circumstances the track did it's part by draining that quickly,” Ventura continued. “We got 2½ inches in [a 40-minute] period. We've faced a lot of challenges just to get a breeze show in.”
Leprechaun Racing, agent's filly by Badge of Silver and James Layden, agent's colt by Henny Hughes posted the joint-fastest time of :10 among two-year-olds that breezed a furlong on the second day.
DBP Stable paid $50,000 for the Badge of Silver half sister to stakes winner Hallway, by Graeme Hall, at the 2008 Keeneland November breeding stock sale. Stoney Lane Farm paid $220,000 at the same sale for the Henny Hughes colt out of Tacticmove, by Deputy Minister, a half sister to Grade 2 winner Cat Fighter and Group 3 winner and sire Ishiguru.
The start of the sale on Tuesday will be delayed from 11 a.m. EDT to 2 p.m. to provide more time for buyers to inspect horses after the breeze show delay.
For complete under-tack show results, click here.
For an online catalog, click here.
John P. Sparkman is bloodstock editor of Thoroughbred Times
