Smart Strike filly commands record $1.25 million at F-T Midlantic

Smart Strike filly commands record $1.25 million at F-T

Midlantic

The February 18 foal was a pinhooking triumph for De Meric Sales, agent. Nick

de Meric, agent, had purchased him for $150,000 as a yearling at Keeneland last

September. The colt first sold for $135,000 as a Keeneland November weanling.

Out of the unraced Mineshaft mare Lantern Glow, the dark bay is a

half-brother to reigning Remsen (G2) winner Leave the Light On (Horse Greeley)

as well as Harlan's Pure (Harlan's Holiday), a stakes scorer in Puerto Rico. The

two-year-old, who sported Hip 165, drilled a quarter-mile in :21 2/5.

Stakemire, representing Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum, secured a

Quality Road filly for $800,000. Offered by the Woods consignment like the

record-setter, Hip 58 was produced by Grade 1 winner Diplomat Lady (Forestry).

The Kentucky-bred dark bay, who sped her furlong in :10 1/5, is a very late

foal with a June 8 birthday.

Upon the conclusion of the day's trade, Fasig-Tipton reported that 127

juveniles were sold for $13,047,000, an increase of 12.9 percent from the

$11,553,000 realized by 168 horses during the 2014 opener.

The average

accordingly rose 49.4 percent, from $68,768 to $102,732 -- another record for

the sale -- and the median climbed

30.4 percent, from $34,500 to $45,000.

"Fantastic first day at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2yo sale!" Fasig-Tipton

President and CEO Boyd Browning tweeted. "Record top price. Record average

price. Another terrific group to sell tomorrow."

The final session begins at 10 a.m. (EDT) Tuesday. For the catalog, latest

results and video, log on to fasigtipton.com.