The juvenile market has changed in a variety of ways over the past decade, but one of its bedrock themes is the Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream select 2-year-olds in training sale’s status as a source of high-dollar horses. This year’s sale looks much like the previous three at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla. The catalog size is relatively small, but packed with high-end horses. The expectations are unchanged. “I think we’ll see significant demand for what are perceived to be the quality offerings,” Fasig-Tipton president Boyd Browning said. “I think we’ll see some polarization within the marketplace for horses that don’t meet the criteria buyers were hoping for, in terms of either racetrack performance or how they look at the end of the shank, but all in all, I think there will be significant interest.” :: Get breeding & sales news, Beyer info, and more delivered right to your email! What’s different is its spot on the calendar. Recent Gulfstream sales have been in early March and kicked off the 2-year-old auction season. This year’s auction moves to the end of the month, in proximity to the track’s March 31 Florida Derby, and is the second major sale of the season. The auction will take place in Gulfstream Park’s walking ring on Wednesday at 3 p.m. Eastern. The pre-sale under-tack show will be held Monday at 9 a.m. Kip Elser of consignor Kirkwood Stables was unsure whether there would be a significant difference in buyer response to the auction’s minor relocation in the schedule. “I just happen to think if you present nice horses any place at any time of year, they will be found,” he said. “There’s no secrets in this business. Everybody does a lot of homework. It may be more convenient for some people, but I don’t think there will be any kind of sea change in the market.” This year’s catalog features 162 entries, keeping almost even with the 160 entered last year. Still, it represents the auction’s largest catalog since the initial 2015 Gulfstream sale, which had 175 horses. The upcoming sale marks the fourth at Gulfstream Park. While Browning said the auction company has made no drastic changes to the formula, staying at the same venue has helped streamline the process for participants. “I think what happens is both buyers and sellers develop a sense of comfort and familiarity that is really invaluable to the process,” he said. “Consignors are able to have a better understanding of how they work their horses in relation to the racetrack, and how they set them up to breeze. The buyers have an idea of what they’re looking for, and have an ability to chart horses that they’ve observed and watched work on the racetrack.” Last year’s Gulfstream sale continued to grow on the momentum set in motion since moving to the new venue, finishing with 74 horses sold for revenues of $25,116,000, up 16 percent from the previous year, when 66 horses brought $21,590,000. The average sale price rose 4 percent to $339,392 from $327,121, while the median grew 8 percent to $270,000 from $250,000. Larry Best of OXO Equine bought the sale-topper, a $1.5-million Uncle Mo filly out of the winning Grand Reward mare Flowers Athefinish. Later named Beyond Grace, the filly was put in the barn of trainer Chad Brown, and she is unplaced in three starts. Other notable horses to emerge from last year’s Gulfstream sale include Grade 1 winner Dream Tree and Grade 2 winner Audible.