Maria's Mon colt commands $190,000

A gray colt by Maria's Mon was sold for the top price of $190,000 to Nick

DeMeric, agent, at Monday's opening session of Fasig-Tipton Midlantic's Eastern

Fall Yearling Sale in Timonium, Maryland. Consigned by Welker Sales Agency,

agent, Hip No. 104 is a half-brother to Grade 2 heroine Caught in the Rain (Petionville).

An earner of $455,034, Caught in the Rain won the 2002 Mrs. Revere S. (G2), 2003

Athenia H. (G3) and five other stakes while compiling a mark of 27-9-0-5.

Out of the unraced Fred Astaire mare Jinger Feathers, the Kentucky-bred is

also a half-brother to Rogers (Unbridled's Song), who finished second in the

April 28 Unbridled S. at Calder. This is the family of stakes-winning sires

Ruritania (Graustark) and Family Doctor (Dr. Fager).

Buzz Chace, on behalf of L & F Stables, went to $180,000 to secure a Forest

Camp colt offered by Candyland, agent. Touring the ring as Hip 60, the New

York-bred bay is the first foal from the winning Hope's Diamond (Louis Quatorze),

who is herself a half-sister to multiple Canadian stakes queen and stakes

producer Moonlight Affair (Friendly Lover). The youngster hails from the same

female line as 2006 Tempted S. (G3) victress Successful Outlook (Orientate).

On Monday, 175 horses were sold for a total of $4,269,800, down 23.4 percent

from last year's opening session, when $5,574,900 was realized by 225 yearlings.

The average dipped 1.5 percent, from $24,777 to $24,399, and the median fell 13

percent, from $11,500 to $10,000.

The three-day auction continues Tuesday, beginning at 10 a.m. (EDT).

For more information, visit fasigtipton.com.