On the heels of an incredibly successful Lexington-Selected Yearling Sale, which established 12 new records, including the highest-grossing sales total in the history of the auction, the yearling portion of the Standardbred Horse Sale at Harrisburg has a tough act to follow. In 2022 there were 903 yearlings sold at Harrisburg, and they established a new record for the highest grossing sales total in their history. While that feat will be difficult to duplicate, there were 839 yearlings entered in this year's sale, of which a little less than 820 remain as of this article (following the first round of "outs" listed). Fewer horses offered will likely lead to higher demand. Bob Boni, owner and president of Northwood Bloodstock, with nearly 60 yearlings in book one slated to sell November 6 to 8, is bullish on the current marketplace. "As usually is the case, I see no reason why the strengths we saw in Kentucky will not continue in Harrisburg," said Boni. "In fact, that great Breeders Crown racing this past weekend should only whet the appetite that much more. "Clearly there is a demand for quality yearlings, and I see no reason that the interest will not continue. A number of new buyers have also had a very positive impact on the market and all indications are that the same trend will also continue." On the trotting side, Boni had glowing remarks about Tactical Landing. "Post Lexington, I think we have also seen Tactical Landing further place his flag in the company of the elite trotting sires, not that he already did not have that consideration," said Boni. "I would anticipate that his Harrisburg colts and fillies will now be even more appealing and I could see his numbers increase." While all consigners would likely benefit from an increase in demand, it should come as no surprise that Hanover Shoe Farms has positioned themselves to have an extremely strong sale and Boni expressed that sentiment as well. "I think the appeal of the various stallions will follow what we saw in Kentucky," said Boni. "I was at Hanover Shoe Farms Saturday [Oct. 28] and they again have a strong group of yearlings, and as they were in Kentucky, the first-crop sires Papi Rob Hanover and Tall Dark Stranger have a number of very impressive individuals. Both young stallions put up quality individuals. They were very well received in the Lexington Sale, and I believe they will be just as popular in Harrisburg." ► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter Hanover Shoe Farms' Farm Manager Patti Murphy has been very excited about what she has seen leading up to the sale. "So far we have been very busy at the farm showing to customers," said Murphy, "and I'm looking forward to presenting our yearlings at Harrisburg." Murphy has a lot to look forward to when you look at the Hanover consignment. "I think our Monday will be very strong," said Murphy. "We have solid pedigrees and nicely conformed yearlings. Tuesday we have some very good individuals as well that I think will continue to be in demand." A standout stallion at the sale in terms of numbers will certainly be Papi Rob Hanover. His first-ever offering of yearlings number 42 at Harrisburg and Hanover will be selling 24. For Murphy, these are individuals everyone will want to consider. "The Papi Rob Hanover yearlings are gorgeously-built individuals. He definitely stamps his foals. They are so nicely proportioned and just look so powerful," said Murphy. "My favorite so far is HIP 8 Houdini Hanover (Papi Rob Hanover – History Repeats). The mare is by Dragon Again. She has produced two $200,000-plus winners, led by Hammering Hank ($346K), and is a 100% producer from three foals of racing age. This yearling is just a gorgeous individual. Every time he is pulled out to show, I just love looking at him. He had an excellent video and is a very fast and focused colt." Papi Rob Hanover recently finished third in terms of pacing stallion average at the Lexington Selected Sale behind fellow first-cropper Tall Dark Stranger and yearly leader Captaintreacherous. Murphy, for one, thinks Papi Rob Hanover could threaten "The Captain" at some point for the top spot. "Captaintreacherous is still the 'King' on our farm, but I think 'Papi' may give him a run for his money. I'm not sure it will happen this year, but I strongly believe that the Papi Rob Hanover's will do very well at the sale and on the track," said Murphy, who pointed out some Captaintreacherous youngsters worth checking out. "We sell a full brother to Ken Hanover (1:48 4/5 - $557K in earnings), HIP 20 Kobe Hanover, and a three-quarter brother to Ruthless Hanover (1:46 3/5 - $565K), HIP 58 Rider Hanover. Both are very handsome and athletic colts. I also really like HIP 79 Sally Ship Hanover out of Stacia Hanover (1:49 2/5 - $294K) who shows pace in her video." Hanover Shoe Farms is also selling 18 of the nearly 50 Stay Hungry yearlings up for auction. While the stallion may lack the same cache of his peers, Murphy felt it would be unwise to sleep on his offerings. "Stay Hungry ranks fifth in 2-year-old pacing earnings by sire and 3-year-old earnings. My favorite by Stay Hungry is HIP 360 Truffle Hanover, Transference, a half-sister to Traceur Hanover (1:49 2/5 - $1.1 million), as well as three other six-figure earners." The untimely and tragic loss of Bar Hopping will be felt for years to come within all of harness racing. Considering his progeny includes double millionaire Bella Bellini and current 3-year-old French Wine ($946K) among 12 other $300K-plus earners in just a few years of foals, buyers may want to pay particular attention to his offers. Murphy touched upon a few that warrant the spotlight. "We are selling 20 yearlings by Bar Hopping. We tragically lost him very unexpectedly last winter. We were fortunately able to breed a few mares with frozen semen this year, so we should have a few foals of his in 2024," said Murphy. "His yearlings did extremely well on videos and are very nice-looking individuals. HIP 184 Honolulu Hanover looks a lot like him. Fillies, HIP 136 Demarara Hanover (Dab Hanover) and HIP 119 Bay Breeze Hanover (Bernis Hanover) have great videos. I also really like HIP 451 Cheers Hanover (Chez Lucie). He is very muscular for a Bar Hopping, as is HIP 48 Pinacolada Hanover (Personal Style)." No conversation about Harrisburg yearlings is complete without discussing Greenshoe. Hanover Shoe Farms is heavily invested in the second-year stallion, and Murphy was quick to point out that he shouldn't be ignored despite a less-than-stellar performance from his first crop. "I don't think people should count out the Greenshoe's just yet. He has some extremely good-looking individuals again this year. We expected that his yearling prices might be down some, but I think people should really look at what we have to offer," said Murphy, who also spoke positively about International Moni. "International Moni's 3-year-old crop ranks him fifth in 2023 leading money-winning sires with $2.5 million. We sell a half-brother to world champion Crystal Fashion (1:50 - $2.2 million), HIP 381 Waterloo Hanover (last foal from Window Willow) and HIP 65 Scudo Hanover (Shared Past), a half-brother to three $100K+ winners." The industry heads into the Harrisburg sale riding a strong wave. Big numbers at Lexington, strong handle at the Breeders Crown and ringing endorsements from key stakeholders fill the column inches. Harrisburg and Hanover especially are poised for a strong 2023 sale.