One of the most fun things about summer racing is watching the 2-year-olds emerge, especially at Saratoga, where many well-bred youngsters start for the first time.
It's also interesting to see how some of the high-priced horses at the juvenile sales do as they make their career debuts. Most from this year's round of auctions already have been named. Following are some you might want to keep an eye on:
The most expensive juvenile sold at public auction this year, the $1.35-million Empire Maker - Half A.P. filly that topped the Fasig-Tipton Florida select sale, is named Betwixt. Sheikh Mohammed's bloodstock manager John Ferguson, purchased her from Murray Smith, agent.
Other expensive horses from that auction that have been named are the colt Empire Taker (Empire Maker - Henderson Band), who was purchased by Robert and Lawana Low for $750,000 from Scanlon Training Center, agent; the colt Forecon (Macho Uno - Champagne Cocktail), who was purchased by Buzz Chace, agent for West Point Thoroughbreds, for $700,000 from Crupi's New Castle Farm; the colt Battle Hard (Hard Spun - Princess Patricia), purchased by Brushwood Stable for $575,000 from Wavertree Stables, agent; the colt White City (Medaglia d'Oro - Bubbling Heights), purchased by Ferguson for $500,000 from Niall Brennan Stables, agent; and the colt Plated (Tiznow - Imaginary Gold), purchased by Lael Stable for $500,000 from Ricky Leppala, agent.
The Pomeroy - Leah's Angel colt that brought $625,000 to top the Barretts March select sale is named Whinston. Stonestreet Stables purchased him from Eddie Woods, agent.
The Flatter - Silence Please colt that brought $925,000 to top the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. March select sale is named Brigand. Bob Baffert, acting for Kaleem Shah, purchased Brigand from Eisaman Equine, agent. The Bernardini - Turbo Dream filly that brought $500,000 at the same auction is named Eileen's Dream. Formerly known as Sweet Dreams, she was purchased by Lane's End Bloodstock from Niall Brennan Stables, agent.
The Macho Uno - La Defense colt that brought $825,000 to top the OBS spring sale is named Macho Rocket. Hill ‘n' Dale Bloodstock, as agent for Frank Fletcher Racing, purchased the colt from de Meric Sales, agent. The Hard Spun - Light From Above colt that brought $675,000 at the same auction is named Senor Hambone. Hill ‘n' Dale, acting for Fletcher Racing, bought the colt from Hartley/De Renzo Thoroughbreds, agent.
The Indian Charlie - Bally Storm colt that brought $600,000 to top the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic sale is named Ever So Lucky. EQB, agent, purchased him from Sequel Bloodstock, agent.
