Harlan's Holiday filly leads at Keeneland

A bay filly by first-crop sire Harlan's Holiday topped the 12th session at

the Keeneland September Yearling Sale in Lexington, Kentucky on Saturday.

Selling as Hip No. 4320 and consigned by Brereton Jones/Airdrie Stud, agent, the

winning bid of $105,000 for the Kentucky-bred went to Friendship Racing.

The May 10 foal is the second registered offspring produced by Pleasant Kaye (Pleasant

Colony), who is out of multiple Grade 3 heroine Mckaymackenna (Ends Well).

Cataloged as Hip 4303, a bay colt by Bernstein was the most expensive colt

when reaching a final bid of $100,000. Purchased by Bill Stiritz, the dark bay

was consigned by Warrendale Sales, agent, and produced from No Stopping

(Unbridled). The January 12 foal was initially purchased as a weanling for

$12,000 at Keeneland November.

Bred in the Bluegrass State, the colt hails from the same female line as

champions Heavenly Prize (Seeking the Gold) and We Can Seek (Chi) (Seeker's

Reward), as well as Grade 1 stars Dancing Spree (Nijinsky II), Furlough (Easy

Goer), Fantastic Find (Mr. Prospector), Finder's Fee (Storm Cat) and Oh What A

Windfall (Seeking the Gold).

The numbers for the Saturday session showed marked improvement from the

comparable session of 2006. A total of 284 yearlings were bought for an

aggregate $5,270,800, an increase of 10.8 percent over last year's corresponding

session when 280 brought a total $4,757,800. The $18,559 average jumped 9.2

percent over the $16,992 average recorded 12 months ago. The median rose 9.1

percent, from $11,000 to $12,000.

So far for the sale, 3,134 yearlings have been purchased for $377,157,900, a

decline of 4.8 percent on last year's total of $396,116,800 paid for 3,147

horses. The $120,344 average dropped 4.4 percent on the 2006 average of

$125,871. However, the median rose 9.1 percent, from $55,000 to $60,000.

The sale continues Sunday beginning at 10 a.m. (EDT).

For complete results visit www.keeneland.com.