Power Play: Fasig-Tipton Digital Buy Malarchuk After ‘Celly’ Out West

[Wandering Eyes]

Dubbed a 'celly' in hockey parlance–short for the celebration that comes after a goal–the Thoroughbred version takes place in the winner's circle where power plays and fist pumps are also welcome.

For those investors looking to ride the nearest glass elevator by punching the button that reads 'Up and Out', logging on the Fasig-Tipton Digital platform is one way to pursue a creditable Horse of Racing Age on the make.

Fasig-Tipton's July auction, which just wrapped online a week ago, once again offered potential owners the chance to win now and not wait till later. A racing prospect who was the second-highest return during the event is a case in point.

Four-year-old Malarchuk (Nyquist)–named after Clint Malarchuk, the NHL goalie who survived having his carotid artery severed during a game in 1989–was offered by owners Richard Schermerhorn, Jeff Drown and Michael J. Ryan. Trained and consigned by Chad Brown, the colt cleared a pair of optional claimers at Saratoga June 6 and July 12. It was Reddam Racing and ERJ Racing who paired to win the war of clicks by going to $525,000.

The man behind ERJ and doing the bidding online as the seconds ticked down on Malarchuk was professional hockey player & Stanley Cup champion Erik Johnson.

He said he has found Fasig-Tipton's platform to be incredibly easy to use. Since his partner Paul Reddam had not delved too much into the format it was Johnson who took the lead when it came to upping the ante.

Nyquist | Sarah Andrew

“It's a great platform Fasig-Tipton has built and what they do is hand bidders everything they need to make informed decisions because it is all there in front of you,” said Johnson. “Paul and I have partnered on some 2-year-olds in the past, but we just did not have much in the way of luck, so when Malarchuk came up we were very interested especially since he is by Nyquist (by Uncle Mo).”

Of course, the NHL has served as an inspiration for Reddam before when he named his GI Kentucky Derby winner after a Detroit 'Hockeytown' star. The colt began his racing career by rattling off eight wins in a row which was capped by the score under the Twin Spires in 2016. Now, Nyquist stands at Darley America.

“Nyquist's ability has translated very well to his offspring,” the NHL defenseman said. “As a sire you are seeing versatile runners have success like Gosger, Randomized and Nysos, so we knew that Malarchuk being on the improve was something we wanted to get in on. His figures are strong and he's from a deep family.”

According to Johnson, Fasig-Tipton's digital platform countdown mirrors the clock in a hockey game with overtime as a prospect. The NHL star added that he is used to the challenges of managing time.

“You have to be ready to shoot out a bid when it gets tight after multiple days of watching,” he said. “I actually entered $510,000, but the increments go up when you are over half a million by $25,000, so Paul was teasing me that I actually owe him $15,000. When Malarchuk wins at Del Mar, I will make sure to pay him back.”

Colorado Avalache's star Erik Johnson hoists the Stanley Cup at Del Mar in 2022 | Benoit

Their purchase has left Chad Brown's base upstate and is already in the capable California hands of new trainer Michael McCarthy. Johnson says that the plan is point to the GI Pacific Classic Stakes at Del Mar Aug. 30 where Malarchuk could potentially meet new stablemate Journalism (Curlin) and also 'TDN Rising Star' Nysos in what is tabbed as a 'Win and You're In' race for the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic.

Those big names do not phase Johnson one bit.

“In any sport you want to beat the best and it's shaping up to be a great race with Journalism and Nysos potentially being in there,” Johnson said. “It's a privilege to be able to compete against such quality horses. We are excited to see how our new acquisition will stack up.”

Reddam and ERJ won the war of clicks for Malarchuk during the Fasig-Tipton's July Digital Sale and now they are after an even bigger 'celly' with a month to go until the Pacific Classic. A fist pump in that winner's circle would definitely be in order.

The post Power Play: Fasig-Tipton Digital Buy Malarchuk After ‘Celly’ Out West appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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