Harness: Nautical Hanover leads from start to finish on Wednesday at Standardbred Horse Sale

HIP 160 Nautical Hanover was the first horse to be sold on Wednesday at the Standardbred Horse Sale, going to agent Tony Alagna for $180,000. The Captaintreacherous colt then stayed at the top of the charts the remainder of the session, heading a group of 14 that entered six-figure territory.

Bred and consigned by Hanover Shoe Farms Inc., Nautical Hanover's dam Naughty Marietta (1:52 1/5, $124,762) is a Bettor's Delight half-sister to the Western Ideal mare Shezarealdeal (1:50 4/5, $613,160).

"He was the best individual the mare has had, and being the first Captain should help the page," said Alagna. "He's a very intelligent and athletic colt that had a great video and was super in the field at Hanover."

The top five sellers during Wednesday's proceedings were all by different sires. Coming in right behind Nautical Hanover was HIP 410 Ivory Hanover, a Bettor's Delight filly who was purchased by John Floren. Ivory Hanover, another Hanover Shoe Farms Inc. product, is out of the Western Hanover mare I'm Sassy, making her a sister to the likes of the Dragon Again gelding Innit Hanover (1:51 2/5, $156,955).

The highest-priced trotter was another Hanover Shoe Farms Inc. offering in HIP 178 Peerless Hanover. Purchased by Trond Smedshammer for $150,000, this Cantab Hall filly's dam is the Andover Hall mare Perfect Chance (1:53 1/5, $406,669), a full sister to And Heez Perfect (1:52 3/5, $859,513).

Swedish trainer Reijo Liljendahl picked up HIP 301 Heroic Story for $145,000. Consigned by Blue Chip Farms LLC. as agent, Heroic Story is a Chapter Seven colt, and he is the first foal out of Credit Winner mare Bankette. The second dam is the Andover Hall mare Bruschette (1:53 1/5, $302,383).

HIP 340 Champagne Hanover checked in fifth on Wednesday, going to Lynn Curry for $140,000. A Bar Hopping filly bred and offered by Hanover Shoe Farms Inc., Champagne Hanover is out of the Malabar Man mare Chez Lucie, making her a sister to the likes of the Explosive Matter mare Chezatter (1:53 4/5, $218,262).

As was the case on Tuesday, Wednesday's gross and average were both down from 2019 and 2018. Wednesday's gross was $10,386,000 for 291 offerings, producing an average of $35,691. In 2019 the gross was $13,417,000 for 300 sold, resulting in an average of $44,723, and in 2018 the total was $12,901,000 for 303 head sold, good for an average of $39,904). Through two sessions in 2020, the sale has grossed $23,199,000 from 445 horses and shows an average of $52,133. The gross is down about 29 percent from last year's $32,589,000 for 468 horses sold and the average is off about 25 percent from last year's record of $69,635.

"After yesterday's favorable results, I thought the middle market was less strong than I expected, especially in the first half of the sale today," said Standardbred Horse Sales Company President and CEO Pete Spears. "The high-end horses again were in high demand."

The Standardbred Horse Sale is, of course, not taking place in its traditional location of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, having relocated this year to the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium. This has resulted in some challenges, but Spears remarked that the staff has risen to the occasion to make the most of the opportunity to have the sale go on.

"Operations have been a little challenging. The rainy weather and high winds proved too much for one of our tents, which failed in the infield. Thanks to quick and selfless actions by everyone nearby, only one person had minor injuries and no horses were hurt," Spears stated. "With better weather, this would not have been a problem. Set-up was more complicated by the need for tents, and by the need for extensive cabling for TV monitors and other electronics. Dale Welk has done a great job of handling these challenges for the Company. Of course, the enforcement of COVID-19 precautions has taken a lot of time, too. Processing of registrations for online bidding accounts has taken a lot of time also.

"Officials and staff at the Fairgrounds have been great to work with, and the food and beverage options have been superior. Like any new venue, there has been a learning curve for us. We are very grateful that the Maryland State Fairgrounds gave us the opportunity to hold our sale here."

The yearling portion of the 2020 Standardbred Horse Sale concludes on Thursday with HIPs 470-818 going through the ring. The action starts at 10 A.M.