A rainy morning in Lexington gave way to cloudy skies and dry conditions that prevailed just long enough to squeeze in the under tack preview for the Keeneland select sale of 2-year-olds in training before storms resumed in the afternoon April 3.
The morning rain tightened Keeneland's Polytrack surface, which produced lightning fast times throughout the breeze show. Keeneland's select sale of 2-year-olds in training is slated for Monday, April 7.
Photo: Keeneland Photo
Hip 69, a Sky Mesa colt, was the fastest horse to work an eighth-mile, covering the distance in :09 2/5.
"Conditions could not have been more perfect," said Tom Thornbury, Keeneland's associate director of sales. "We had a little bit of rain this morning and had cool conditions, which helps tighten the track. We had a 15-20-mph tail wind for the horses going down the lane. It couldn't have been better. The times were sparkling."
Hip No. 69, a Sky Mesa colt out of the multiple graded stakes-placed mare Alfonsina, by Grand Slam, delivered the fastest eighth of a mile breeze, stopping the timer in a scorching :09 2/5. The bay New York-bred colt, from the female family of Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) winner Spain, is consigned by Sequel Bloodstock (Becky Thomas), agent.
"I had his mother, and she was one of the fastest horses I'd ever had," said Thomas. "I loved this colt the first time I saw him. He went through a thick phase, but he has thinned himself out. Having had his mother I kind of knew what he was going to look like when he got everything together. I knew he would be fast.
"The track was good and safe," Thomas added. "All of the horses seemed to get over it fine without any difficulty."
Four juveniles, including a pair from the consignment of Niall Brennan Stables, each sped a furlong in :09 3/5.
Hip No. 11 is a filly by More Than Ready out of the multiple stakes winner Miss Seffens, by Dehere, consigned by Brennan. The filly is a full sister to More Than Real, winner of the 2010 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. IIT).
Brennan also consigns Hip No. 54, a Kitten's Joy colt produced from the stakes-winning Catienus mare Talking Treasure.
"Track condition was ideal," said Brennan. "The track had a lot of life in it. Our horses had a real good day. The rain and strong tail wind combined to create ideal conditions for fast times."
Eddie Woods, agent, consigns Hip No. 66, a colt by Kitten's Joy--Wise Impression, by Smarty Jones .
Ciaran Dunne's Wavertree Stables sent out Hip No. 114, a filly from the first crop by Blame out of the stakes-placed Pulpit mare Hot Attraction.
Hip No. 61, a Medaglia d'Oro colt out of grade I winner Victory Ride, by Seeking the Gold, proved quickest at a quarter mile, getting the distance in :20 flat. Consigned by Woods, agent, the colt is a half brother to stakes-placed Magical Ride, the dam of Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum Brands (gr. I) hopeful Ride On Curlin.