The first open session of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. August yearling sale on Wednesday did not paint a rosy picture of the lower-level marketplace, with steep declines across the board. An $80,000 Kantharos colt topped the session. Wednesday’s session saw 207 yearlings sold for a combined $1,770,300, a drop in gross of 44 percent from last year’s comparable session, when 210 horses brought $3,141,200. The average sale price declined 43 percent from $14,958 to $8,552, while the median fell 53 percent from $10,000 to $4,700. The buyback rate finished at 37 percent, compared to 20 percent at last year’s first open session. Five horses sold for $50,000 or more on Wednesday, compared to nine to do so during last year's corresponding session. De Meric Stables, as agent, purchased the session-topping Kantharos colt. The chestnut colt is out of the winning Cloud Hopping mare Miss Skeetd, who is the dam of two winners from three foals to race, including Grade 3 winner Mr. Jordan, who is a full brother to the session-topper. The hammer price made the colt the most expensive foal out of Miss Skeetd to sell as a yearling at public auction, surpassing the $63,000 Mr. Jordan. Bred in Florida by Philip and Karen Matthews, the colt is from the family of Grade 3 winner Rizzi Girl and Grade 3-placed stakes winner Papi Chullo. He was consigned by Summerfield Sales, agent. Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck’s Summerfield Sales finished as Wednesday’s leading consignor by gross, with 32 horses sold for a combined $358,400, including the session-topper. De Meric Stables was the top buyer, with three purchases totaling $157,000. The OBS August sale concludes on Thursday, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Eastern.