Johannesburg colt fastest at Ocala Breeders' Sales preview

A juvenile colt by Johannesburg zipped an eighth-mile in 9.80 seconds Thursday as the fastest worker over the distance at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s under-tack preview in Florida.

The breeze show was the first of two for OBS’s March select 2-year-old sale, which will take place March 13-14 at the OBS complex in Ocala. The sale will start at 11 a.m. each day.

The fleet Johannesburg colt, Hip No. 93, is out of the unraced Carson City mare Quiet City. He’s a half-brother to two stakes-placed runners, Veneti and Quiet Delight. Old South Farm, agent, is the consignor.

A pair of colts by Bluegrass Cat and Montbrook tied for the fastest quarter-mile time of 20.80 seconds. Hip No. 44, the Bluegrass Cat colt, is out of the unraced Unbridled’s Song mare Mesmerizing Lady and is in the Derby Dreams agency’s consignment. Hip No. 58 is by Montbrook out of My Golden Quest, a stakes-placed daughter of Coronado’s Quest. Ocala Stud, agent, is the consignor.

The second and final under-tack session was to begin at 8 a.m. Friday over the synthetic OBS strip, which also will host the OBS Championship stakes races on March 12, the day before the select 2-year-old sale.