Harness: Still plenty of pedigree up for grabs in Friday's Lexington Sale finale

While some may have exhausted their funds in the first four days of the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale, it's a safe bet that a broader number of owners and trainers will be active and searching for the next generation of talent in Friday's final day of the auction. The glitter and glitz may be gone, but that's something that is not necessary in the pursuit of greatness. While some may say Friday's lot could come cheaper, the reality is that there is much quality to be had, and while prices will trend under six figures, the good ones will still merit attention and buyers will be competitive.

With 140 cataloged for the Friday night sendoff, arriving early may be beneficial with HIP 850 - the fourth horse to go through the sales ring - certainly worth a long look. Space Captain is a colt from the second crop of Captain Crunch and a dual Pennsylvania/Kentucky eligible. The jury is out on Captain Crunch, and that could help those looking for a bargain. This one is a first foal from a daughter of Bettor's Delight. The second dam is the 100 percent producer Electric Fool, who shows no signs of let up with her ninth and most recent foal the New York Sire Stakes juvenile colt finalist Ameritric.

Dragon Life, HIP 861, will get more attention once announcements are made at the podium prior to auction. That's because this Fear The Dragon-sired colt happens to be a half-brother to the highly-regarded juvenile Sweet Beach Life. That son of Sweet Lou has won a qualifier this year in 1:52 and been placed in Pennsylvania Sire Stakes action. This colt is eligible in Ohio and is just the fourth foal from a daughter of Somebeachsomewhere.

HIP 863 Budino is a filly from the International star Propulsion that is eligible to the New Jersey Sire Stakes program, which has become enriched over the last few years with plenty of money to race for and somewhat limited competition. Here's a filly from the same immediate maternal family as Triple Crown champion Marion Marauder. Though three generations removed, what's interesting in these bloodlines is that Budino's dam Lola Blu is offering her first foal, and she's one of just three foals from her dam. That means there could be plenty of untapped potential along these lines and Propulsion may just be the ticket – as a son of Muscle Hill (like Marion Marauder) – to kick start this portion of the family.

All horsemen tend to look at specific maternal families more closely than others. The reason is simple, if they've had success with the dam or brother or sister, they could have an edge in looking for something that's similar and perhaps even more special. Last year HIP 872 Down Two Party's older sister Bubblebath Party was a favorite of ours from day five of the sale. She was from Lather Up's first crop and was plucked for just $27,000. She's gone on to take a sub-1:54 record this year. Down Two Party is the first colt from the $120K winner Marty Party Two, and thus may bring a bit more in the ring this Friday but could be the breakout star of the family come 2024.

Speaking of Lather Up, his second crop is worth attention given the success we've seen this year in Ohio, and HIP 884 Woodrow Blue Chip is a colt worth a second look. When we say second, we're referring to the second dam from this colt, the gifted Shot Togo Bluechip. She produced a pair of fabulous colts in Heston Blue Chip and Sunfire Blue Chip, with those two earning more than $3.4 million collectively during their racing careers. That Heston Blue Chip has gone on to become a successful sire should be of note as well. Woodrow Blue Chip is the fifth foal and just second colt from the dam Onassis Blue Chip.

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Downbytheseaside has produced some great ones for the Ohio Sires Stakes program and most definitely the Grand Circuit as the breakout star from the Buckeye State while the regional program has grown to new heights. HIP 890 Highway Boy should be expected to be doing a lot of traveling through Ohio and North America next season if he lives up to his pedigree. He's just the sixth live foal from the dam Blazing Yankee. The dam's first colt was one of the fastest horses we've ever seen in Hurrikane Kingcole, a 1:47 3/5 winner as a sophomore some 11 years ago. The mare's two male offspring from the Somebeachsomewhere line are $100,000-plus earners, giving those looking for the natural extension in Downbytheseaside plenty of upside potential.

There is little doubt that Tactical Landing's stock has gone through the roof this year as his first crop hit the sport's biggest home run with a Hambletonian champion in Tactical Approach. HIP 914 Tactical Command is a dual-eligible colt like the Hambletonian champion, eligible in New Jersey and Kentucky. He's the first colt from his dam and his full sister, the 2-year-old filly Tactical Strike, not only has a 1:57 record but was the pace-setter in this year's Mohawk Million at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Tactical Command has a solid maternal family bolstered by the $1.9 million champion Lookout Victory from the third dam.

It's definitely not time to dismiss Roll With Joe as a stallion. Just watching the impressive performances of Twin B Joe Fresh on the racetrack this year is indication there's potential with each crop. HIP 917 Victory Joe could be his next breakout star given the pedigree. While some may be scared away from the fact that he's the 12th foal from the dam Flibbertigibbet, it would be important to look at just what the dam has produced this year. Flash Move, her 10th foal, recently captured the Pennsylvania Stallion Series final in 1:50 flat. The son of Heston Blue Chip became the dam's second-fastest offspring with that performance. Her 2-year-old by Mcwicked has made the races and thus assured she's a 100 percent producer. Victory Joe brings the dam full circle in that he's a blood brother to her first foal, the $617K winner Swift As A Shadow.

HIP 945 is the colt Sea Way and he's just the third foal from A Plus, the full sister to the ageless warrior Mindtrip. This is A Plus's first cross with Downbytheseaside, having already produced a 1:50 4/5 performer from her first colt.

HIP 967 Cash Back is the first colt - a son of Fear The Dragon - from the 100 percent producing Cash Reward, a daughter of Captaintreacherous. The dam's first two foals have been successful in Ontario as daughters of He's Watching, and this colt should have a bright future in Ohio given his deep pedigree. Though near the end of the auction, Cash Back is worth sticking around for the duration.

The Lexington Selected Yearling Sale's fifth session starts at 7:00 P.M.