$250K colt tops Fasig-Tipton session

A $250,000 After Market colt topped Tuesday's opening session as Fasig-Tipton Midlantic's Eastern fall yearling kicked off with mixed results in Timonium, Md.

The colt, Hip No. 103, sold to Jay Em Ess Stable after going through the ring from Mr. and Mrs. Rick Abbott's Charlton consignment. A chestnut son of Christmas Strike, by Smart Strike, he is a half-brother to stakes-winner Double Down Vinman and to a pair of stakes-placed runners, No Passing Zone and Holy Christmas. He is from the family of Grade 1 winner Christmas Kid.

The first of two sessions ended with 207 yearlings fetching a combined $3,236,300, a 27 percent increase from last year's total for 197 yearlings. The average price also climbed, rising 21 percent to $15,634. But median slumped, falling 19 percent to $5,000. Buybacks were 27 percent, as compared to 26 percent at the equivalent session last year.

Jay Em Ess also paid $170,000 for an Exchange Rate-Dyna Two filly from Paramount Sales agency and $100,000 for a Not For Love-Crying in the Rain colt consigned by Thornmar Farm, agent.

Jay Em Ess Stable's three high-priced purchases were among six yearlings to break the six-figure barrier. The others were Hip No. 165, a $150,000 Rock Hard Ten-Dixie Talent filly that Hillwood Stable bought from Christina Welker (Allied Bloodstock, agent); Hip No. 96, a $130,000 Harlan's Holiday-Chalonnaise colt that Amy Tarrant purchased from the Candyland agency; and Hip No. 147, a $112,000 Sharp Humor-Desired Trait colt that agent Buzz Chace bought from agent Kelli Mitchell.

The Eastern fall yearling sale was to continue through Wednesday.