Harness: Whichwaytothebeach tops Monday's Winter Mixed Sale

Four-year-old male pacer Whichwaytothebeach, a multiple winner on the Grand Circuit in his career, topped Monday's Tattersalls Winter Mixed Sale at the Meadowlands by selling for $390,000 to Ontario's Gino Toscani. The gelding was one of four horses to sell for at least $200,000.

Whichwaytothebeach was followed on the best-sellers list by 4-year-old female trotter Swift Swanda, who went for $240,000 to Josh Green as agent for Spring Station Bloodstock; 5-year-old male pacer Captain Barbossa, for $210,000 to Robert DiNozzi; and 6-year-old male pacer Belmont Major N, for $200,000 to Amanda Kelley.

Captain Barbossa and Whichwaytothebeach are three-quarter brothers.

A total of 90 horses and stallion shares sold Monday for a gross of $4.25 million. Last year, the sale totaled $3.74 million for 119 horses.

Whichwaytothebeach, a son of Somebeachsomewhere-Swinging Beauty, has won 12 of 27 lifetime races and $546,425. He counts the Max C. Hempt Memorial Consolation I and divisions of the Somebeachsomewhere Stakes, Simpson Memorial, and Reynolds Memorial, among his victories.

He finished third in last year's North America Cup, Little Brown Jug, and Monument Circle and has missed the board only three times in his career. Last year, the gelding was trained by Brett Pelling.

"He seems like a nice horse," said Toscani, who will send Whichwaytothebeach to trainer Desiree Jones. "I hope he can come through. He's just going to be 4. His brother, Captain Barbossa, was good as a 4-year-old and hopefully he's going to be the same for us and we can get our money back."

Whichwaytothebeach was consigned by Northwood Bloodstock Agency.

"It was a strong sale," said Bob Boni, the owner and president of Northwood. "Quality always sells. It's a cliché, but it's very true. People want horses that are competitive, and they're racing for good money in enough spots. Obviously, the more versatile a horse is, if they can race on a half and so forth, it's a big edge. But quality holds up.

"With Whichwaytothebeach, which I think shouldn't be underestimated, is there is sort of this myth that the 4-year-olds need time to compete. Last year, the 4-year-olds won most of the open stakes, be it Cattlewash, Ocean Rock, Allywag Hanover. A legitimate top 4-year-old makes the step."

Swift Swanda, a daughter of Swan For All-Cheetah Hall from the family of 1995 Horse of the Year CR Kay Suzie, won 14 of 27 races in her career and $452,055. Her triumphs last year included the Moni Maker Stakes and in 2020 she was the Indiana Sires Stakes champion. Green said the mare, who was trained by Erv Miller, would be bred to Walner by Eric Good's Spring Station Bloodstock.

She was consigned by Preferred Equine, Inc.

"We thought she was tremendous-looking, and we loved the depth of the family," Green said. "There is a lot of quality there."

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Rounding out the top-three sellers was Captain Barbossa, a son of Captaintreacherous-Swinging Beauty who has won nine of 50 career races and $600,714. His victories include the 2020 Little Brown Jug as well as two preliminary legs of last year's Graduate Series and a division of the 2019 Bluegrass Stakes. He was trained previously by Tony Alagna.

"If he's anything like he's been all his career, he'll make money," DiNozzi said. "We'll race him at Yonkers a little bit, put him in the Borgata Series, but he's also good on a mile (track), so if he's racing well, we will put him in everything. He's raced with the best and either been competitive or beaten them. There is nothing not to like about the horse."

Captain Barbossa was consigned by Preferred Equine.

For complete results of Monday's Tattersalls Winter Mixed Sale, click here.