Violence’s first winner Buy Sell Hold romps at Keeneland

J. Kirk and Judy Robison’s Buy Sell Hold broke on top and never looked back in Thursday’s 2ND race at Keeneland, becoming the first starter and winner for freshman sire Violence. Under Florent Geroux, the 5-1 chance scampered 4 1/2 lengths clear and finished 4 1/2 furlongs in :51.84.

Buy Sell Hold, purchased by her current connections for $67,000 as a Keeneland September yearling, was bred by Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings and Stretch Run Ventures. The gray is the first registered foal from the stakes-winning Unbridled’s Song mare Melody Lady.

It’s entirely fitting that Buy Sell Hold is trained by Steve Asmussen, who conditioned her dam as well as her second dam, multiple Grade 1-winning millionaire Lady Tak. Although Lady Tak carried her speed in the 2003 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2), she reached the heights as a sprinter in the Test (G1) and the 2004 Ballerina (G1). Lady Tak also placed in the Acorn (G1), Ashland (G1), and Gazelle (G1) during her sophomore campaign.

Violence vaulted to early favoritism for the 2013 Kentucky Derby (G1) after a three-for-three juvenile season highlighted by wins in the Nashua (G2) and CashCall Futurity (G1). Sent off as the 3-5 favorite in the Fountain of Youth (G2), he finished second to eventual Kentucky Derby winner Orb. He unfortunately exited the half-length loss with an injury that ended his career at a mark of 4-3-1-0, $623,000.

By Medaglia d’Oro, Violence is out of the Gone West mare Violent Beauty. His third dam is Hall of Famer Sky Beauty, and he hails from the further family of multiple Grade 1 stars Tale of Ekati and Point of Entry. As a $600,000 Keeneland September yearling himself, Violence has seen his progeny well received at auction.

The seven-year-old stallion stands at Hill ‘n’ Dale near Lexington, Kentucky, for $15,000, stands and nurses.