Trotting Chat

The head post isn't my post.  In answer to your question  - no.  I'm surprised you haven't picked up the nuance - well not surprised as you seem to get a bee in your bonnet and gnaw at the bone of trashing racing.

by Jessica Martini & Christina Bossinakis OCALA, FL – Brisk trade continued from start to finish of the second session of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training Wednesday in Central Florida and the day concluded with figures well ahead of the auction's 2025 renewal. The session was topped by a filly by Nyquist who sold for $2 million to Boyd Racing from the Wavertree Stables consignment. Through two sessions of the three-day sale, 295 horses have sold for $51,336,500. After two sessions in 2025, 269 horses had grossed $39,588,000. The two-day average stands at $174,022 and the median is $90,000. At the conclusion of the sale a year ago, the average was $152,351 and the median was $70,000. With 94 horses reported not sold at the close of business Wednesday, the two-day buy-back rate is 24.2%. It was 21.8% at the same point in 2025. The session-topping daughter of Nyquist was one of three to sell for seven figures during the session, bringing the total so far at the sale to six–one off the total number to hit that mark a year ago. Two consignors celebrated their first seven-figure sales Wednesday. Jesse Hoppel sold a $1.05-million son of Mo Town and Susan Montanye's SBM Training and Sales sold a $1.85-million son of Into Mischief, while, with the session topper, Wavertree Stables had its second of the auction, both by Nyquist. “The market is very strong. It's a blessing to see all of these people here,” said Tami Bobo, who sold the Into Mischief colt through the SBM consignment. Bobo credited the strong results with the tax bill passed last year which provided buyers with a 100% depreciation bonus and helped lead to record results at the yearling sales last fall. “The Big Beautiful Bill has done nothing but help all of us,” Bobo said. “So that is why the marketplace is where it is and I think it will continue to sustain itself.” The OBS March sale continues through Thursday with sessions beginning each day at 11 a.m. “She Was a Queen”: Nyquist Filly Steals the Show on Day 2 Maintaining the same spirited clip that was on display on day one, Wednesday's second session's action hit full tilt by the time hip 372, a filly by Nyquist, exited the ring. Highlighting what turned out to be another banner day for consignor Wavertree Stables, the Mar. 26 foal jumped over the seven-figure mark in a flash, and when the dust had settled, Killora/Linton, acting as agent for Boyd Racing, had garnered the filly for $2 million. The filly posted a brisk :9 3/5 eighth of a mile breeze at OBS last week. “She was just an absolute queen the whole week,” said Hannah Jennings, who signed on behalf of Randy and Jenny Boyd. “She was super professional. Obviously, her stride was fantastic on the track and physically she's everything we could want.” Bred by Cannon Thoroughbreds, the Kentucky-bred was a $300,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by Forest Bloodstock. The bay is the third foal out of Smooth and Savvy (Lucky Pulpit), a half-sister to Grade I winner Smooth Like Strait (Midnight Lute). “Plans are to be determined on the trainer, but I think a lot of them will be happy to open a stall for her,” she added. Darley stallion Nyquist is also responsible for another pair of Wavertree grads at OBS–Grade I winners Cavalieri, a $900,000 2023 OBS Spring Sale purchase, in addition to Tenma, an $850,000 Spring Sale buy in 2024. “Nyquist is one of our favorites,” said Jennings of the Kentucky Derby winner. “He can get you a really elite horse and Ciaran Dunne sold two Grade I-winning Nyquist fillies out of OBS sales. So hopefully she can be the third.” The highest-priced juvenile through two days of selling at OBS, the filly was the sole purchase for the Boyds. “It's been so tough,” commented Jennings on the day's activity. “We knew we'd need to stretch for her, but we never thought we'd have to stretch that far. But when the horse is the right one, everyone's on them.”–@CBossTDN 'The Gift That Keeps on Giving': Another Nyquist Home Run for Wavertree Ciaran and Amy Dunne's Wavertree Stables was an early believer in Nyquist, thanks to its frequent partnership with Paul Reddam, who campaigned the 2016 GI Kentucky Derby winner. The consignment continued to reap the benefits of that faith this week at OBS, warming up with a colt by the Derby winner (hip 88) who sold for $1.2-million during Tuesday's first session of the March sale and followed by a $2-million filly (hip 372) sold to Boyd Racing Wednesday. The colt had been purchased for $170,000 and the filly for $300,000 at Keeneland last September. “He's put a lot of meals on the table,” Ciaran Dunne said of Nyquist. “We were very lucky in that we were associated with Mr. Reddam and he raced him. So, obviously from the outset we were exposed to a lot of them. And from day one, they were just good horses. So we kind of got a little bit of a leg up on everybody else. For us, he's the gift that keeps on giving.” Ciaran Dunne | OBS/Photos By Z In recent years, Wavertree has sold subsequent Grade I winners Cavalieri ($900,000 at the 2023 OBS April sale) and Tenma ($850,000 at the 2024 OBS April sale), both by Nyquist. Of the filly who brought $2 million Wednesday, Dunne said, “She is by one of the top stallions in the country. She is a beautiful physical. She had an unbelievable work. She vetted clean. If you can't sell her, you need to quit selling.” For Dunne, the moment lacked one thing with daughter Caitlin home in Kentucky where she is due to deliver her first baby in the coming days. “It's a double-edged sword that Caitlin wasn't here to share it with us because she's been here for pretty much all of our big ones in the past,” Dunne said. “But she is at home doing something way more important.” @JessMartiniTDN $1.85-Million Into Mischief Colt to Fletcher Bloodstock agent Donato Lanni capped a busy day at OBS Wednesday when he bid $1.85 million to acquire a colt by Into Mischief (hip 416) on behalf of Frank Fletcher. The juvenile, who worked a furlong last week in :9 4/5, was consigned by S B M Training and Sales and became the first seven-figure sale for Susan Montanye's consignment. “He is by one of the leading sires in our generation,” Lanni said of the colt. “He's a fast horse. [Trainer] Bill Mott is going to get him and Bill really liked him. So he got a pretty good endorsement.” The colt is out of graded-placed Sweet Diane (Will Take Charge) and is a half-brother to stakes winner Miss Martini (Curlin). Tami Bobo purchased the colt for $75,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale. Hip 416 | OBSVidHorse “He had compressed hocks,” Bobo said when asked how she had acquired a colt by Into Mischief at that price point last fall. “You've heard me say it before. I am a firm believer in how God makes a horse. For me, it wasn't an injury from day one. I've had graded stakes winners in the past and I've never had a problem with it. Once they fused, you are always good to go.” The colt sold out of Book 5 at Keeneland and Bobo said it was thanks to Denali Stud's Conrad Bandoroff that she became aware of him. “Conrad Bandoroff is a great consignor, he keeps up with his buyers,” Bobo said. “He called me. I was actually in Florida when he told me about the horse. I am never at Keeneland in Book 5, so I was already home. So it was a true blessing. Susan Montanye signed the ticket for me and Susan and [Montanye's husband] Andy, I want to give them props, because they came into the business the hard way. So for her to sell her first million-dollar horse and for us to be able to do that together collectively, it means the world to me.” Of the colt's seven-figure price tag, Bobo said, “I truly thought the horse would bring over $1 million. I really did. The horse has trained like the big horse all year. Susan nicknamed him King Kong early on in the training season. She is diligent in sending us videos, so we really know where we are with our horses. And this horse just continued to show up.” @JessMartiniTDN 'Charlie Wanted Him': $1.05-Million Mo Town Colt to Baoma A colt by Mo Town (hip 299) became the fourth million-dollar juvenile of the OBS March sale when selling to Charlie and Susan Chu's Baoma Corp. for $1.05 million Wednesday in Ocala. Bloodstock agent Donato Lanni, doing his bidding from the press box alongside the Chus and trainer Bob Baffert, signed the ticket on the colt who was consigned by Hoppel LLC. The juvenile worked a quarter-mile in :20 2/5 during last week's under-tack preview. “He is just a big, beautiful, scopey horse,” Lanni said. “He looks like he will go two turns. He is very sound looking. He worked really good. It was a great time, a great gallop out. And he came back sound and good. The good ones are bringing good money. I thought that was plenty for him. But I am happy to get him.” Baoma Corp's Susan Chu with hip 299 | Jessica Martini The Chus were quickly back at the Hoppel barn to great their newest acquisition. Susan Chu, asked what she liked about the 2-year-old, pointed to her husband. “Charlie wanted this horse,” she said with a laugh. “He is the gentleman in charge. But we totally trust Donato, and of course Bob, and they make the best decision for us.” Among the horses the Chus have purchased out of the OBS sales ring are last year's GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Nysos (Nyquist), who was most recently a game second behind Forever Young (Jpn) in the Feb. 14 G1 Saudi Cup. “We are really so proud of him,” Susan said of Nysos. “He came home last week and he looks excellent.” @JessMartiniTDN 'It Was Unreal': Mo Town Colt a First Million-Dollar Result for Hoppel The usually stoic Jesse Hoppel, from a family which has been selling horses in Ocala for generations, appeared misty eyed after selling his first million-dollar horse Wednesday at OBS. Minutes after Donato Lanni made a $1.05-million bid to acquire a colt by Mo Town on behalf of Baoma Corp., Hoppel said the result, “Exceeded expectations. Period. That was unreal.” The dark bay colt is out of the unraced Reckon (Into Mischief). He was purchased by the Hoppels for $40,000 as a weanling at the 2024 Keeneland November sale. The colt was signed for in the name 'Antigo,' an homage to the birthplace of Don Rice, Hoppel's grandfather, who along with his brother Clyde, were pioneers of the Ocala pinhooking scene. “It would be easier if I just told you what I didn't like about him,” Hoppel said when asked what he had liked about the colt as a weanling. “But it wouldn't be much conversation.” Hoppel recalled discussing the colt with his father, longtime pinhooker Pat, prior to sending him through the ring Wednesday. “I grew up on the sales grounds,” he said. “I have a lot of horses I thought were really good. But me and my dad sat there yesterday and we looked at the horse and he said, 'I don't think I've brought a horse to sale this good before.' And I said, 'I know I haven't, dad.' From my dad, that's a huge compliment.” The seven-figure result capped a profitable few minutes for Hoppel, who also sold a filly by Drain the Clock (hip 284) for $500,000. @JessMartiniTDN Upstart Filly Leads McCrocklin's Bounty on Wednesday Earlier in Wednesday's session, a filly by Upstart realized an $800,000 final bid from agent Marette Farrell bidding on behalf of Mo Speed Racing. Offered as hip 343 by Tom McCrocklin, the Florida-bred filly rounded out the session as the second-highest priced filly of the afternoon. During last Thursday's breeze session, the filly posted a :20 4/5 move for a quarter mile. “That was a great result,” said McCrocklin. “It was not a total surprise once the action started at the barn. She was extremely popular and was vetted a lot. She showed and showed and showed.” Out of Shananies Song (Eltish), the Florida-bred filly was bred by the partnership of McCrocklin and Dr. Carolin Von Rosenberg. Offered at Keeneland November in 2024, McCrocklin bought out Von Rosenberg, securing the filly for $60,000. Tom McCrocklin | OBS/Photos By Z “Carolin wanted to sell her as a weanling, so I bought her half and brought the filly back home,” he said. “She was kind of a superior all the way along. She was one of those types, just a nice filly all along.” The 22-year-old mare is already responsible for seven winners and two graded stakes winners, including GII Swale Stakes winner Favorable Outcome (Flatter) and G3 Al Shindagha Sprint victor Mouheeb (Flatter). Stakes winners and graded placed Beguine (Gun Runner) and Bellamentary (Bellamy Road) are also listed among the mare's produce. “There's so much satisfaction in breeding the mare, raising the the baby, preparing and selling them,” said McCrocklin. “It was very gratifying and I am very grateful for Marette Farrell [buying the filly].” McCrocklin, who still retains the mare, indicated she is booked back to Taiba, who stands at Spendthrift Farm. Did McCrocklin know this filly might be a star right from the beginning? “As a foal, she was just a horse, with a plain brown wrapper. But that's typical of the mare,” he explained. “They are not big, imposing horses, but you can see from her produce record that she produces racehorses.” On day two, McCrocklin also sold hip 453, a filly by Twirling Candy. Out of Tizway's stakes-placed Tizanillusion, the March foal recorded a :20 2/5 quarter-mile breeze last week. The Kentucky-bred was purchased for $600,000 by Alistair Roden Bloodstock, acting agent for Mark Breen. Bred by Steve and Denise Smith's Mesingw Farm, the filly RNA'd for $75,000 at Keeneland last September. “She was a homebred of [the Smiths],” said McCrocklin, “She didn't meet her reserve at Keeneland and they were kind enough to send her to me to get her ready.” Offering his thoughts on the filly after her return from the sales last season, McCrocklin explained, “She was a very fast filly. She just got better and better with time. She started out just a horse and just got better and better the whole time. When she got over here, she prepped like a good horse.”–@CBossTDN NOTHING BUT NET Roadster Colt Gives Scott Geiner a Career High Pinhook Score Scott Geiner, who said he generally pinhooks just a small number of horses a year, had his best success to date when he sold a colt from the first crop of Roadster (hip 320) to Lee Ackerley for $425,000 in Ocala Wednesday. The Louisiana trainer had purchased the colt for $62,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale. “He was just a nice colt as a yearling,” Geiner said. “He had a pretty walk. I thought maybe this was one I could make a little money with and I wound up making a bunch of money.” The dark bay colt is out of multiple stakes-placed San Antonio Stroll (Stroll) and is a half-brother to multiple graded winner Damon's Mound (Girvin). From Keeneland, Geiner sent the colt to consignor Omar Ramirez for the winter. “Omar liked him the whole time,” Geiner said. Scott Geiner | Jessica Martini The colt worked a quarter-mile at last week's under-tack preview in :21 flat. “After he worked last week and yesterday and today, he had the right people come look at him,” Geiner said of expectations for the sale Wednesday. “So we thought, $199,000, and I think we put $149,000 in the box.” While the colt exceeded expectations, Geiner had a back-up plan, just in case. “If I didn't get what I wanted for him, I would have raced him, but he worked good and I knew I'd get more money selling than keeping him,” Geiner said. Geiner continued, “I do a couple pinhooks a year. And I've done pretty good, but this is the highest. I pinhooked one a couple of years ago in Texas for $72,000 and got $265,000. Last year in Texas, I bought one for $30,000 and got $135,000.” Asked if this result might convince him to do more pinhooking, Geiner said, “I am kind of picky with what I want to get and I don't want to spend too much in case I've got to keep them.” @JessMartiniTDN The post $2-Million Nyquist Filly Leads Vibrant Trade at OBS March Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Jordyn Bublitz Rack’em Up will look to make it two on the bounce when he lines up again today at Manawatu Raceway. The four-year-old son of Betting Line is trained and co-owned by Canterbury horseman Andrew Drake alongside partner Brianna Thomas, and he comes into the assignment off a determined victory earlier in the week. Despite drawing awkwardly in barrier 11 on day one, Rack’em Up proved too tough when driven by Andre Poutama. Forced to work early, Poutama pressed forward around runners to find the lead and once in front the gelding refused to yield, sticking on strongly to score by half a length. The win was the gelding’s third from 13 career starts. Drake admitted the result exceeded expectations. “We didn’t think that he’d win so many, you always hope that they will, but he’s come a long way for a big lanky giraffe, and he’s done a good job. We can’t complain.” Sending the gelding north proved a practical decision, with Drake believing the longer trips and opportunities available could suit. “It was so hard for him in the ratings down here, and I thought he might like the 2500m trip. When I rang Stephen (Doody) and he said he was happy to take care of him, and Andre was happy to drive, it was a no brainer to send him up!” Drake admitted he wasn’t sure the gelding would be able to overcome the unfavourable draw. “I didn’t expect him to win from the draw, but Andre took it in his own hands and it was a great drive.” The victory also carried extra meaning for Drake, who hails from Palmerston North and knows the circuit well. “Any win on that track is really special, that’s for sure.” Rack’em Up backs up today in the Good Luck Dave Rennie Mobile Pace (6.31pm), this time with a much kinder draw in barrier six and with Peter Ferguson taking the reins. Drake is hopeful the big gelding will cope well with the quick turnaround. “He should handle the back-up good, he handled it well when we took him to Nelson.” “The front row draw helps, but you never know, it’s not a bad field. Four of them in there won last start and they’re all going to be feeling big and brave.” “We’ll just have to see what he can do, and see what Fergie can do!” View the full article

Coming off a fifth-place finish in the Forward Gal Stakes (G3), Mythical looks to get back into the winner's circle in the March 14 Any Limit Stakes at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

Last year the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) approved the establishment of maximum statewide ages at which horses can race–10 years old for winners and five years old for maidens. On Wednesday, the CHRB voted unanimously to tweak that rule, raising the max age for maidens to six, with the stipulation that such horses would be receiving “increased scrutiny” from the state's regulatory veterinarians. Prior to the codification of a maximum age for maidens at the state level, California's three currently active tracks had been operating under “house rules” that set the upper limits at either six (Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and Los Alamitos Race Course) or five (Santa Anita Park). This max-age agenda item was originally up for a vote back in January, but the issue was tabled when commissioners at that time asked for more data before making their decisions. Based on feedback from the public and the CHRB's informal polling of trainers, the board's staff came back at the Mar. 11 meeting with a revised recommendation of six years old as the upper limit for maidens. Scott Chaney, the CHRB's executive director, said Wednesday that, “The public comments centered on the fact that, mostly, the maiden restriction was limiting opportunities for owners and breeders in California.” But quantifying a precise number of affected horses was difficult. “Inventory and participants are likely to be very insignificant due to increased costs of training a 6-year-old maiden,” Jeff Blea, the CHRB's equine medical director, told board members prior to the 7-0 vote. “However, there will be some who will be afforded this opportunity if you pass this rule change,” Blea said. Blea told the CHRB that, “I did an informal poll of about 10 Thoroughbred trainers, primarily. And all but one was in unanimous support of allowing 6-year-old maidens to race. “The one who was opposed was opposed because he felt it diluted the racing product at Santa Anita,” Blea said. “Moving it from five to six allows and encourages more rest periods without pressure on owners and trainers to keep these horses in training [and] allows this population to continue safely competing in California rather than leaving the state,” Blea said. Yet Blea acknowledged there's very little age-specific safety data that relates to California's maiden horse population. “There's a lack of scientific data looking at age of maidens and how it corresponds to catastrophic musculoskeletal injury,” Blea said. “There's a lot of data based on race, class, dirt, turf. But not very much scientific data to indicate [trends with maidens] where it's five versus six versus seven. In the literature that I provided in your staff report, it indicates that 6-year-old maidens would be safe to race from a musculoskeletal standpoint.” Back when the CHRB last called upon Blea to address this topic, he described the situation like this at the January meeting: “What's the magic number? Is it five, is it six, is it seven for maidens? Is it nine, is it 10, is it 11 for winners? I've had people tell me we should limit older horses to eight years old. I've had people suggest we limit maidens to four years old. It's a number. When you reach a certain age, you can't drive a car. When you reach a certain age, mandatory retirement. Age is not a disease, but at some point in time, we have to set boundaries and parameters,” Blea said. The post CHRB Ups Max Age Limit For Maidens From Five to Six appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article