With the doom and gloom expectations for yearling sales in 2020 now in the rearview mirror after seeing a year-over-year drop of less than 17% at the Lexington Selected Sale in early October, the scene switches to Timonium, Maryland for the Standardbred Horse Sale. Normally conducted in Harrisburg, the sale was forced to move this year due to COVID-19 policies in Pennsylvania, meaning President/CEO Pete Spears had to reimagine what has been the norm for decades. "Standardbred contacted well over 20 alternative venues this summer in anticipation of the possible decision by the State of Pennsylvania to deny Standardbred holding our Annual Sale at the PA Farm Show Complex, despite the Company's submission of an extensive COVID-19 safety protocol that met all published PA Department of Agriculture guidelines," said Spears. "We knew that we could hold the sale at the Maryland State Fairgrounds at Timonium before we heard a final decision from PA, so the Company was able to finalize our arrangements to move the auction there very quickly." While the location may be unfamiliar for many in the Standardbred industry, the location is no stranger to holding Thoroughbred sales. Timonium hosts multiple Fasig Tipton sales during the year for Thoroughbreds, though nothing in the scope of the Standardbred Sale commencing November 3. "Their permanent facilities were unable to accommodate a sale of our size. Timonium has just over 500 shed row-type stalls, necessitating the use of a large number of tents to house the horses," said Spears, who added that other more technological additions were needed as well. "We are also expanding their electronic capabilities to increase the number of TV monitors, WiFi access, etc. throughout the facility. We have also arranged for online bidding through ProxiBid, and are expanding our telephone bidding capabilities." Those looking to take extra caution against COVID-19 while in attendance at the three-day yearling sale, which is followed by a two-day mixed auction, can take solace in the open-air situation at Timonium. Spears reports that bidders can conduct almost all of their business outdoors and that those who venture inside can feel secure knowing that the sales company is complying with all Maryland Department of Health guidelines. With the uncertainty brought on by the pandemic as well as other variables, this year's Standardbred Sale is down in sheer numbers in both the yearling and mixed sale categories. That said, Spears is still hoping for good returns. "Standardbred is down about 50 yearlings from last year's cataloged numbers, largely due to a loss of 30 yearlings, including 16 assigned to the first day of sale, which normally is our highest average day," said Spears. "If we came close to tracking Lexington I would be very happy. With the loss of 10% of our first-day yearlings, many of which would have sold at the very high-end, my expectations are more modest." Almost 30% of the 800-plus yearlings sold in Timonium will be consigned by Hanover Shoe Farms and it comes as no surprise that the powerhouse breeding operation has some of the best horses available to bidders during the 155-horse opening session. Below are nine yearlings that stood out for me, either visually from the provided video footage or via pedigree and past performance. As the majority are from the Hanover Shoe Farms consignment, commentary from Executive Vice President Dr. Bridgette Jablonsky follows each of those horses. HIP 7 Pauline Hanover I really liked the way she moved in her video and as a Father Patrick half-sister to the freaky-fast Don't Let'em there is intrigue there. Another half-brother Zack's Zoomer did well on the New York Sire Stakes scene and internationally. Pauline Hanover is Pennsylvania and Kentucky eligible. Dr. Bridgette Jablonsky: "She's very nice; athletic. She's not overly big, but she's correct and moves nicely." HIP 23 Stowe Hanover Snow Angel Hanover hit a home run with Snowstorm Hanover ($658,761) a few years back and now we finally get her second foal in this PA-bred filly trotter. Video looked good and I have to admit to a bias here as Another Blizzard from her fourth dam is one of my favorite trotters ever. Dr. Bridgette Jablonsky: "I love this filly. She is one of my favorites in the sale and probably third right behind the two Muscle Hill trotting fillies. She's better-looking than Snowstorm Hanover was and is a big, strong filly that trots nicely. I think she is the real deal." HIP 30 Neopolitan I was drawn in by his video, which displayed a colt with poise and fluid motion. On the breeding end, he's a full brother to a pair of $100,000 earners and from a family that produced 2-year-old Dan Patch winner Pizza Dolce (2002). The Concord Stud Farm product is New Jersey eligible. HIP 65 Boudoir Hanover This daughter of Captaintreacherous is one of 41 first foals being offered on opening day and she is by an EARNER in Bedroomconfessions ($1,001,441). Video footage reveals she moves well and has good size. It is also worth noting that third dam Keystone Havoc produced a millionaire in Keystone Horatio. Boudoir Hanover offers dual eligibility in Kentucky and Pennsylvania. Dr. Bridgette Jablonsky: "She's big without being heavy and is a beautiful filly. She has the best attributes of Captaintreacherous in a mare and she moves nice and light. She's been like that since day one. When she goes out in the field, everyone wants to know who she is. She has a little bit of sass to her, which is probably good in a pacing filly." HIP 76 Sevencarrotgold This New York-eligible colt seems to have a different way of traveling (at least to my eye) and I'm not sure if that will be a turn-off to some. Perhaps that equates to a better price. Chapter Seven colt is the first foal from Choice Hall, whose dam Canland Hall produced five which earned over $200,000 including 2003 Trotter of the Year Cantab Hall. HIP 86 Delilah Hanover Second foal from Danielle Hanover is a Muscle Hill half-sister to 2020 Jim Doherty winner Darlene Hanover. Second dam is famous for producing multiple Dan Patch winner Donato Hanover. New Jersey eligible should get plenty of action. Dr. Bridgette Jablonsky: "She just has it all. When you pull her out of the stall, she's just one of those WOW fillies. She has a beautiful coat, powerful rear-end and is very correct. She is awesome in the paddock. She can trot as fast as any yearling I've ever seen. If there is a hole in her, I don't know what it is." HIP 100 Frannie Hanover This is the first foal from $356K earner Fad Finance, a Credit Winner filly who did some good work in New York. She is paired here with Muscle Hill to produce this New Jersey and Kentucky eligible who moves very nicely in her video. Dr. Bridgette Jablonsky: "She has more Credit Winner in her than Muscle Hill. She's nice and does everything right but is not a headliner like the two Muscle Hills." HIP 103 Forkner Hanover This Always B Miki colt has a more athletic "lean and mean" type build. He's a half-brother to Fire Start Hanover (9-6-1-0), a two-time stakes winner at The Red Mile, her latest in 1:50 3/5. The Pennsylvania eligible has a strong family tree that includes multi-millionaires Glowing Report and Well Said. Dr. Bridgette Jablonsky: "He's a handsome, beautiful horse. He is not one of the big, rugged 'Miki' colts. He's refined and has a nice head; very sleek with long lines to him. I really like this horse and he has a nice family." HIP 148 Marlys Hanover Pennsylvania eligible filly from Captaintreacherous is a full sister to Marsala Hanover, a solid performer in PA Sire Stakes this year and on the board in stakes action at The Red Mile. Mom Marinade Hanover has produced three $100K-plus winners in three tries. This one is seems to be a bit on the stout side but carries it well. Dr. Bridgette Jablonsky: "She's probably our second-best pacing filly right behind the Bedroomconfessions one. She's not as big as that one, but she is very pretty with a nice head. She's stout but powerful and never gets tried. She's high energy and has a great attitude. I like her better than 'Marsala' last year. She was more a plain filly." More opening-day picks Before asking Dr. Jablonsky for her thoughts on my picks, I asked her for hers. Below is her Top 5: HIP 20 Stilton Hanover: "He's a full brother to Manchego and a nice medium size. He trots nicely and has a good attitude. He is another colt that is blossoming and getting better. He's obviously our best trotting colt" HIP 65 & HIP 86: See comments above. HIP 93 Energetic Hanover: "He's gorgeous. Every time we paddock him he looks better and better. He's just blossoming. He started as a very nice colt but has risen his way to be my favorite pacing colt this year. He's the perfect size and has a great look to him." HIP 101 Frozen Hanover: "He's a full brother to Filibuster Hanover and reminds me exactly of him. He's a tank; solid, mostly body, athletic and like a bulldog. This is the last chance to get a good yearling by 'Beach' and he is a really nice one."