Five juveniles stand out as Ocala Breeders' spring under-tack preview opens

As the weeklong under-tack preview show for the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s spring 2-year-olds in training sale began Sunday, five juveniles threw down the gauntlet with bullet times for their distances in the opening session.

Three 2-year-olds shared the fastest furlong in 9 4/5 seconds, while two shared the fastest quarter in 20 3/5 seconds.

The spring sale typically has the largest catalog of the OBS three 2-year-old in training sales, which offers the bulk of the crop in North America. There are 1,207 juveniles cataloged for this year’s edition, which takes place over four sessions, from April 15-18. In advance, 2-year-olds have the chance to work or gallop before prospective buyers on the Ocala Training Center’s all-weather Safetrack.

The fastest furlong workers were a colt from the second crop of Shancelot, from the female family of champion Bernardini; an Upstart filly from the family of Breeders' Cup Classic winner Skywalker; and a colt by freshman sire By My Standards, from the family of Belmont Stakes winner and champion Rags to Riches, fellow Belmont winner Jazil, and others.

Sharing the fastest quarter-mile were a Mendelssohn colt from the family of champion Classic Empire; and a filly by Battalion Runner - sire of standout Florida-bred Rated by Merit - who is from the family of Grade 1 winner Wicked Strong.

The OBS April breeze show continues with daily sessions through Saturday, April 12. In addition to noteworthy updates on DRF.com, click here for hip-by-hip results.

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