Texas Racing Notes
From Mrs. Tittle

Letters from Mrs. Jill Tittle


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

Jill Tittle

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Life is not a spectator sport
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