Orb colt tops first OBS juvenile session

A colt from the first crop of 2013 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Orb brought $685,000 from Three Chimneys Bloodstock, agent, at Tuesday's first session of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's 2017 April Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale. Offered by Randy Miles, agent, the May 5 Kentucky-bred sported Hip No. 28.

Out of the winning Vowel, by Dynaformer, the session-topper counts as his third dam Grade 1 winner Preach, who reared Grade 2 winner and prominent sire Pulpit. The colt worked one furlong in :10 1/5 at the under tack show.

White Birch Farm obtained the session's highest-priced filly, by Creative Cause, for $575,000. Hip 262 was part of the Eddie Woods, agent, consignment.

A half-sister to current Grade 3 winner Hay Dakota, the filly is out of Church By the Sea, an unraced Harlan's Holiday half-sister to Grade 2 heroine Hello Liberty. The April 6 Kentucky-bred worked a quarter-mile in :21 at the under tack show.

Business was up across the board at the end of trading Tuesday, which saw 169 juveniles sold for $15,305,700. That was a 31 percent increase over the corresponding session in 2016, when 165 head sold for $11,687,500. The session average increased 27.9 percent, from $70,833 to $90,566, while the median rose a more modest 6.4 percent, from $47,000 to $50,000.

The sales continues through Friday with sessions beginning daily at 10:30 a.m. (EDT). Full results can be found at obssales.com.