Etc. . . .

Japanese veterinarian Naoya Yoshida, a Thoroughbred breeder in his native Japan and an active bidder at European sales, has purchased a farm in Paris, Ky., and named it Winchester Farm. Paul Blankenship, former manager of Newgate Stud, will manage the operation. . . . West Point Thoroughbreds invested $251,877 on two Argentine-breds - including the $136,150 co-sale topper - in its first foray into the Emirates Racing Association's Pearls of Dubai International Sale on Saturday. The sale grossed $2,453,423, with 50 lots selling for an average of $49,068 and only three withdrawn. . . . Stephanie Storin, a 23-year-old phlebotomist from Tucson, Ariz., was named winner of the "Ultimate Female Fan" contest sponsored by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and Daily Racing Form. Her 100-word essay describing why she was the sport's ultimate fan beat out more than 1,000 other entries, the NTRA said.