Keeneland September Sale Graduates Omaha Beach, Hard Not to Love Cruise to Grade 1 Wins

Keeneland September Yearling Sale graduates Omaha Beach and Hard Not to Love turned in impressive performances to win the Runhappy Malibu (G1) and La Brea (G1), respectively, on Saturday’s opening day at Santa Anita and give Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith the record for number of Grade 1 victories (217). 

KEENELAND SALES GRADUATES 

Keeneland September Yearling Sale graduates finished 1-2 in the Runhappy Malibu S. (G1) on 12/28 at Santa Anita:

1- OMAHA BEACH, 3YO colt by War Front – Charming (RNA to Sale, 2017 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Eaton Sales, agent) (career 10-5-4-1, $1,651,800) O- Fox Hill Farms; B- Charming Syndicate (KY); T- Richard Mandella

2- Roadster, 3YO colt by Quality Road – Ghost Dancing ($525,000, 2017 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Stone Farm; Buyer- Speedway Stables) O- Speedway Stable; B- Stone Farm (KY); T- Bob Baffert

Keeneland September Sale alumni ran 1-2-3 in the La Brea S. (G1) on 12/28 at Santa Anita:

1- HARD NOT TO LOVE, 3YO filly by Hard Spun – Loving Vindication ($400,000, 2017 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Anderson Farms, agent; Buyer- West Point Thoroughbreds) (career 5-4-0-1, $288,480) O- Mercedes Stables, West Point Thoroughbreds, Scott Dilworth, Dorothy Ingordo, David Ingordo & Steve Mooney; B- Anderson Farms (ON); T- John Shirreffs

2- Bellafina, 3YO filly by Quality Road – Akron Moon ($220,000 RNA, 2017 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent) O- Kaleem Shah, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B- JSM Equine (KY); T- Simon Callaghan

3- Mother Mother, 3YO filly by Pioneerof the Nile – Mother ($450,000, 2017 Sept Yearling, Consignor- VanMeter-Gentry Sales, agent; Buyer- George Bolton) O- Old Bones Racing Stable, Barry Hall, Barry Lipman & Mark Mathieson; B- T. F. VanMeter (KY); T- Bob Baffert

LAURA’S LIGHT, 2YO filly by Constitution – Light of a Star ($95,000, 2017 Nov Breeding Stock, Consignor- Select Sales, agent, Buyer- McMahon & Hill Bloodstock, agent; $25,000 RNA, 2018 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Hidden Brook, agent) Won $83,604 Blue Norther S. on 12/29 at Santa Anita (career 3-2-1-0, $87,320) O- Gary Barber; B- Golden Pedigree (KY); T- Peter Miller

HALLADAY, 3YO colt by War Front – Hightap ($225,000 RNA to Sale, 2017 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Gainesway, agent; Buyer- Steve Young, agent) Won $75,000 Tropical Park Derby on 12/28 at Gulfstream (career 9-3-2-4, $211,745) O- Harrell Ventures; B- Gainesway Thoroughbreds & Winchell Thoroughbreds (KY); T- Todd Pletcher

OUR BAY B RUTH, 3YO filly by Candy Ride (ARG) – Ruthenia ($150,000, 2017 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Stone Farm, agent; Buyer- Homewrecker Racing) Won $75,000 Tropical Park Oaks on 12/28 at Gulfstream (career 10-4-3-1, $225,733) O- Homewrecker Racing & Summerplace Farm; B- Payson Stud (KY); T- Eddie Kenneally

SARACOSA, 4YO filly by Bernardini – Homeschooling ($85,000 RNA, 2016 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Patricia Clark, agent) Won $75,000 Bob Fortus Memorial S. on 12/26 at Fair Grounds (career 13-2-4-5, $162,120) O- Chad Schumer; B- Meritage Ventures (KY); T- Brendan Walsh