Keeneland November: Hard Not to Like sells to Dattt Stable for $2.2 million

For the second year in a row, multiple Grade 1 winner Hard Not to Like created fireworks at the Keeneland November breeding stock sale, this time selling for $2.2 million to Dattt Stable to take over as the top price during the auction's opening session on Monday.

Hard Not to Like, who was scratched from Saturday's Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf, was consigned by Taylor Made Sales as agent for Speedway Stables. The latter outfit purchased her for $1.5 million at the 2014 Keeneland November sale.

"We’re looking for a nice filly to add to our broodmare band," said Gary Bush, who signed the ticket on behalf of Dattt. "She may race one more time. We’ll see how it goes."

Ontario-bred Hard Not to Like, a daughter of Hard Spun, has won or placed in 10 stakes while bankrolling more than $1.2 million. She scored Grade 1 triumphs on three different turf courses, taking the 2014 Jenny Wiley Stakes at Keeneland, 2015 Gamely Stakes at Santa Anita, and 2015 Diana Stakes at Saratoga. In the latter, she established a course record while defeating eventual Breeders' Cup Mile winner Tepin. Also in that field was Stephanie's Kitten, who later won the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf.

Hard Not to Like is out of the stakes-winning Tactical Cat mare Like a Gem.