Orientate filly tops first Fasig-Tipton Texas session

Hip No. 8, a dark bay filly by Orientate, brought the top price of $130,000 from

Terry Blanton at the Fasig-Tipton Texas Summer Yearlings Sale in Grand Prairie,

Texas. Consigned by JEH Stallion Station, agent for James Helzer, the youngster

is out of the stakes-placed mare Via Dei Portici (It's Freezing) and is from the

same female family of multiple Grade 2 placed Come Away With Me (Lucky Debonair).

The filly, who counts herself as a half-sister to stakes winner Blue Springs (Wekiva Springs), previously sold for $75,000 at the 2005 Keeneland January Horses of

All Ages Sale.

The second-highest price of the day went to Hip 240, a bay colt by Officer,

who was purchased by Lee Young for $120,000. Consigned by Liberty Bloodstock,

agent for New Wave Racing, the yearling is out of the winning dam Hunt's Corner

(Silver Ghost), making him a half-brother to Grade 2-placed Slider (Prenup).

A total of 170 yearlings were sold on the day for $1,914,200, an increase of

3.5 percent from last year's corresponding session, when 132 yearlings sold for

$1,849,900. The average price dropped 20 percent from $14,014 to $11,260

compared to 2004. Median price saw a 35.5 percent decline from $7,750 in 2004 to $5,000

this year.