Sun, 30 March 1997
Hi Al,
I have been a little remiss in not writing this sooner, and for that, I
apologize. The inaugural TTA/Lone Star Park 2yo in training sale took place
on the 18th, and although I was not able to make it, it sounds as if it was
a nice sale. Nearly 300 horses of quality that surprised more than one
attendee went through the ring that day. Despite the rather high buy-back
rate (around 43%), the sale was viewed by most as a success.
Some little pixie seems to have absconded with my list of results, but I do
know that the sale average hit a little better than $15k, with the sale
topper being a Rubiano filly that sold to a Houston-based partnership for
$105,000--purportedly the highest price ever paid for a 2yo at auction in
the state. I would tend to believe it is the highest price ever paid for
any TB at auction here, but I may be overstepping my bounds. The filly was
consigned by the Double Diamond Ranch, which is run by Tod Wojiechowski.
I was pleased, personally, to see that two Salt Dome babies did quite
well--one colt was the 4th highest sale at $50k, and another went for $23k.
I was surprised that, although the buy-back rate itself was high, the
buy-back average was very close to or slightly exceeded the actual sale
average. Therefore, not all buy-backs were cheapies--some were bought back
for fairly high 5 figures. I'm not sure if this is because some of the
sellers' expectations were a tad high, or because they really believed their
2yo was worth that much. Regardless, the basic consensus was that the sale
was a success on many points. I'm glad it went so well.
So, with the passing of the 2yo sale, the only thing left is the grand opening day
of LSP. And perhaps to be looked even more eagerly towards is the opening
weekend, in particular, April 20th and the Lone Star Derby. Although not
concrete sureties, possibilites for the race are: Shammy Davis, Jack Flash,
Tejano Couture, Hoxie, Deputy Commander, Greed is Good, Twin Spires, Mercer
Mill, Direct Hit, Ghost Ranch, Diablo Won, Auto Corsage, and Admiral Indy.
These horses are trained by the likes of DWLukas, Zito, Randy Bradshaw, and
Wally Dollase. This should be quite exciting.
I would really like meet any of you readers who might plan to be at the Lone
Star Derby. If you think you might attend, go ahead and e-mail me with
subject line being something about LS Derby, and we'll see about getting
together at this fine event!! Hope to hear from you soon.
Jill
The Running Horse (http://www.isd1.com/)