Harness: Downbytheseaside could launch regional fireworks on final night of the Lexington Selected Sale

Some 800 yearlings will go under the block over the first four days of the Lexington Selected yearling sale and while some fatigue may set in, those looking for next year's stars would be wise to save a little energy and yes, some funds, to participate in the final night of the sale. While bargains may be expected, more than likely in this sophisticated age many buyers know there will still be plenty of competition for the colt or filly that looks the part when entering the sales arena.

Friday's finale finds some pedigrees that appear to fit better on the first two nights but didn't have the black-type filled at the time of consignment. That may be an irregularity that is hard to predict, but at the same time, it means that those paying close enough attention may be able to get a minor discount in the end. HIP 810 on Friday night's schedule is a filly that certainly measures up to those standards. Malibu Barbie Deo is a dual-eligible daughter of Downbytheseaside, with Sire Stakes options available in Ohio and the New Jersey Standardbred Development Fund program. More than likely bidders will be hoping for more than that, and the primary reason why is that Rodeo Drive Deo, the yearling's half-sister, is a 2-year-old filly that just captured a Bluegrass stakes at The Red Mile on September 26. Malibu Barbie Deo hails from a solid maternal family that served the late Hall of Famer Bob McIntosh quite well during his brilliant career. Her dam Miss L A is a full sister to the $1.4 million winner L A Delight and a half-sister to a solid pair, including the rugged Somewhere In L A and the O'Brien Award-winning Sunny Dee. The pedigree tilts towards fillies, as the recent Grand Circuit winner would suggest, giving Malibu Barbie Deo value both on the track and following her racing career.

Depth of pedigree is quite important, especially on the trotting side of the ledger. That's why HIP 820 Windfall Moni, another dual-eligible with options in Ohio and Massachusetts, could prove a bright spot next year on the racetrack. This daughter of Ready For Moni is the first foal from the $381K winner O So Easy, a solid stakes winner in Indiana during her racing career. It seems that O So Easy has given rebirth to a dormant maternal line that goes back to a fourth dam Vanessa Hill with strong roots to top sire Chapter Seven.

Ohio's breeding program has improved year over year for the last decade, and the results are showing up solidly in pedigrees in all major auctions. HIP 829 Downbythelakeside is a colt by Downbytheseaside with a deep maternal line that includes some heavy hitters from the Buckeye State. Notably, Pure Paradise, the colt's dam, was a six-figure earner while competing in both Ohio Sires Stakes and Kentucky programs during her racing career. The daughter of McArdle is a 100 percent producer, with her 2024 2-year-old Captain Paradise a 1:52 4/5 winner in just his second career start. Downbythelakeside's second dam Odds On Hemera is credited with another multiple Ohio Sires Stakes winner in Stanford Court. Like his dam, the yearling Downbythelakeside will have eligibility both in Ohio and Kentucky when he races in 2025 and beyond.

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The sheer number of foals by Downbytheseaside selling on the last night of the auction could make it easy to skip over one or the other, but that would be a mistake. HIP 834 is one that most definitely will receive plenty of attention. Estuary is another with Ohio and Kentucky eligibility. Following the Grand Circuit opening on Thursday (September 26), bidders may have higher goals for this filly. Her half-sister Unreasonable, already a winner in 1:50 4/5 this year in the Kentucky Championship Series at The Red Mile, became a multiple stakes winner, capturing a Bluegrass division in 1:51. What's interesting when looking at the comparative pedigrees is that the dam Roaring To Go, a Bluegrass winner herself and top New York Sire Stakes performer during her racing career, did not connect with her first two foals, but then when moved to the Somebeachsomewhere stallion line, specifically Huntsville, she hit it big. Estuary is the mare's second foal from that stallion line, with the accomplished Downbytheseaside expected to give the mare another talented filly.

HIP 886 Seaside Shuffle is another Downbytheseaside filly that offers performative bloodlines. Her dam Hula Shuffle has sent both of her foals to successful racing careers in Ohio, with Seaside Shuffle's half-sister Twenty a 20-time career winner. Second dam Hula Dancer produced two outstanding stakes and aged pacing stars, with brothers Maltese Artist and Artesian earning more than $3.2 million collectively.

The influence of European stallions on American trotting continues to grow, and the results on the racetrack offer confidence to future buyers that the yearlings can go on to great success on the racetrack. Calgarian, HIP 893, may have sold earlier in the sale had his sire been more recognizable, but that's no reason to overlook him on night five. Calgary Games is the sire of the colt, and he was an accomplished son of Readly Express and grandson of Ready Cash. On the dam's side is a strong maternal family to back the dam Blessed's impressive record thus far. Blessed, a half-sister to Hambletonian winner Muscle Massive, has carved out quite a niche for herself, with all four foals she's produced showing up on the racetrack. Her most recent foal of racing age Kewpie Doll (1:55 4/5 career mark) is a 2-year-old this year, and she recently closed to finish second from post 10 in a Kentucky Golden Rod final at The Red Mile. Calgarian, as a true Kentucky-bred, also gets the benefit of increased earning potential in local stakes events.

Six Pack has gotten off to a solid start as a stallion, and he could have a sleeper in HIP 901 Beijing Bombshell, a filly and just third foal from the well-bred Caviar Session. The dam has already produced a stakes winner from her first two foals and could just be getting started considering her parentage. Caviar Session is a full sister to standouts Triumphant Caviar and Centurion ATM. Beijing Bombshell is another with dual eligibility in New Jersey and Kentucky next year.

Ready For Moni's name could be impactful on the Ohio Sires Stakes circuit next year with horses like HIP 909 First Dalliance a solid prospect. The filly is the third foal from the 100 percent producer Dalliance Seelster, who has hit with both Muscle Mass and E L Titan before moving on to the Ready Cash-sired Ready For Moni.

If it is coming down near the end of Friday's final night, try not to make the mistake of leaving early, otherwise you could miss out on some quality. HIP 935 Intogo Station is a Downbytheseaside-sired colt and first foal from a half-sister to stakes winners Closing Statement and Inverse Hanover. Intogo Station has dual eligibility in Ohio and Kentucky.

HIP 943 could be a trotting colt worth taking a flyer on. The son of Bar Hopping is out of a young Chapter Seven mare with just one foal, a 2-year-old currently racing. The maternal line is quite strong with third dam Spellbound Hanover producing Triple Crown winner Marion Marauder.