Mr. Besilu, We'll Be Watching You

It's always fun to track the racing fortunes of expensive sale yearlings to see if they are able to live up competitively to their impressive purchase prices. Some of this year's auction ring stars already have been named, so keep watch for the following monikers  in the racing entries in 2011: Mr. Besilu, Global Response, Point Cadet, and Divine Escapade.

The most expensive Thoroughbred sold in North America in 2010 was an A.P. Indy colt out of the great Zenyatta's grade I-winning half sister Balance. Bejamin Leon Jr., who purchased the handsome bay in the name of his Besilu Stables at the Keeneland September yearling sale, has named the colt Mr. Besilu.

Leon also bought another A.P. Indy colt, this one out champion Maryfield, for $1.2 million at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga select yearling sale. The bay yearling, who topped the auction, has been named Global Response.

A Distorted Humor -- Turko's Turn filly, who was purchased for $850,000 by Robert and Lawana Low at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga auction, has been named Point Cadet.

The A.P. Indy -- Madcap Escapade filly who bought $900,000 at the Keeneland September auction has been named Divine Escapade. Bruce Lunsford, who bred the filly in partnership with Hill ‘n' Dale Equine Holdings, bought out his co-breeder.