Keeneland Sales Graduates Midcourt, United Impressive in Grade 2 Wins

Keeneland sales graduates Midcourt and United turned in strong performances to secure wins in the San Pasqual (G2) and San Marcos (G2), respectively, on Saturday at Santa Anita.

Three alumni of the 2018 September Yearling Sale won classic preps to enhance their standings on the Roads to the 2020 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1). Undefeated Thousands Words ranks third on the Derby leaderboard following his win in the Robert B. Lewis (G3) at Santa Anita. Max Player captured the Withers (G3) at Gulfstream to establish his credentials as a Derby contender. On the same Gulfstream card, Tonalist’s Shape remained unbeaten in winning the Forward Gal (G3) and secured 10 points toward a berth in the Oaks.

Keeneland sales alumni also enjoyed Group 3 success in Japan and Dubai this week: Mozu Ascot took the Negishi (G3) at Toyko and Gladiator King won the Al Shindagha Spring Sponsored by DP World UAE Region (G3) at Meydan.

KEENELAND SALES GRADUATES

Keeneland sales alumni finished 1-2-3 in the San Pasqual S. (G2) on 2/1 at Santa Anita; 

1- MIDCOURT, 5YO gelding by Midnight Lute – Mayo On the Side ($450,000, 2016 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Four Star Sales, agent; Buyer- Mayberry Farm) (career 9-5-1-1, #342,695) O- C R K Stable; B- Dixiana Farms (KY); T- John Shirreffs

2- Two Thirty Five, 6YO gelding by Stay Thirsty – A Footstep Away ($55,000 RNA, 2014 Nov Breeding Stock, Consignor- Romans Racing & Sales, agent) O- Richard Baltas, Tom Mansor, Tammi Nielsen & Kim Rasmussen; B- A Footstep Away Syndicate (KY); T- Richard Baltas

3- Combatant, 5YO ridgling by Scat Daddy – Border Dispute ($320,000, 2016 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Blandford Stud, agent, Buyer- Winchell Thoroughbreds; $220,000, 2019 Nov Breeding Stock, Consignor- Gainesway, agent, Buyer- David Ingordo) O- Hronis Racing; B- Paget Bloodstock (KY); T- John Sadler

UNITED, 5YO gelding by Giant’s Causeway – Indy Punch ($240,000, 2015 Nov Breeding Stock, Consignor- Trackside Farm, agent; Buyer- Glencrest Farm) Won San Marcos S. (G2) on 2/1 at Santa Anita (career 12-4-3-1, $1,013,549) O- LNJ Foxwoods; B- Rosemont Farm (KY); T- Richard Mandella

MAX PLAYER, 3YO colt by Honor Code – Fools in Love ($150,000 RNA, 2018 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Lane’s End, agent) Won Withers S. (G3) on 2/1 at Aqueduct (career 3-2-1-0, $173,500) O- George Hall; B- K & G Stables (KY); T- Linda Rice

MISCHEVIOUS ALEX, 3YO colt by Into Mischief – White Pants Night ($75,000, 2018 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent; Buyer- Eisaman Equine) Won Swale S. (G3) on 2/1 at Guflstream (career 6-3-1-1, $179,230) O- Cash Is King & LC Racing; B- WinStar Farm (KY); T- John Servis

Keeneland September Yearling Sale graduates ran 1-2-3 in the Robert B. Lewis S. (G3) on 2/1 at Santa Anita: 

1- THOUSAND WORDS, 3YO colt by Pioneerof the Nile – Pomeroys Pistol ($1 Million, 2018 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Brookdale Sales, agent; Buyer- Albaugh Family & Spendthrift) (career 3-3-0-0, $211,000) O- Albaugh Family & Spendthrift; B- Hardacre Farm (FL); T- Bob Baffert

2- Royal Act, 3YO colt by American Pharoah – True Feelings ($500,000, 2018 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Stonehaven Steadings; Buyer- Mayberry Farm) O- C R K Stable; B- Stonehaven Steadings (KY); T- Peter Eurton

3- High Velocity, 3YO colt by Quality Road – Ketel Twist ($350,000, 2018 Sept Yearling, Consignor- St George Sales, agent; Buyer- Ben Glass, agent) O- Mary & Gary West; B- Dell Ridge Farm (KY); T- Bob Baffert

TONALIST’S SHAPE, 3YO filly by Tonalist – Hitechnoweenie ($45,000 RNA, 2018 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Lane’s End, agent) Won Forward Gal S. (G3) on 2/1 at Gulfstream (career 4-4-0-0, $190,350) O- Slam Dunk Racing, Doug Branham & Legacy Ranch; B- Sabana Farm (KY); T- Saffie Joseph Jr.

MOZU ASCOT, 6YO horse by Frankel (GB) – India ($275,000 RNA, 2015 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Lane’s End, agent) Won Negishi S. (G3) on 2/2 at Toyko (career 20-6-5-0) O- Capital System; B- Summer Wind Farm (KY); T- Yoshito Yahagi

Keeneland September Sale graduates finished 1-2 in the Al Shindagha Sprint Sponsored by DP World UAE Region (G3)on 1/30 at Meydan:

1- GLADIATOR KING, 4YO colt by Curlin – Golden Dawn (RNA to Sale, 2017 Sept Yearling, Consignor- James M. Herbener Jr., agent) (career 17-7-2-1 $498,740) O- Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi; B- Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings (KY); T- Satish Seemar

2- Truck Salesman, 4YO gelding by Can the Man – Brittney Brat ($35,000, 2017 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent; Buyer- Parrish Farm, agent) O- Alejandro Mercado; B- Springland Farm & Lynden Branch (KY); T- Doug O’Neill

WINNING ENVELOPE, 4YO filly by More Than Ready – Granby Girl ($3,000, 2018 Jan Horses of All Ages, Consignor- Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent; Buyer- Hutch Holsapple) Won $75,000 Jersey Lilly Turf S. on 1/26 at Sam Houston (career 13-4-0-2, $198,258) O- Lothenbach Stables; B- Ramspring Farm (KY); T- Chris Block