LEXINGTON, Ky. – There was a strong weanling market during the major-market November mixed sales in Kentucky, with a number of buyers looking to get out ahead of what has been a robust yearling marketplace in recent years. And thus, there was anticipation for this segment of the marketplace coming into this week’s Keeneland January horses of all ages sale. The demand for foals of 2023 has continued to be strong, with a competitive, selective marketplace delivering solid returns for this particular sale.  A $430,000 Candy Ride filly, a $430,000 Not This Time colt, and a $400,000 Justify colt topped eight newly turned yearlings sold for $250,000 or more during Keeneland January’s Book 1, making up the first half of the four-day sale. That compares well to last year, when a $450,000 Quality Road filly topped 10 youngsters to reach that price point during the entire sale. The figures are more impressive considering a discrepancy in the number of offerings overall.  “Last year, we had a larger number of short yearlings that went through the ring, and that number was down in [Tuesday’s] session; we had about 150 yearlings go through the ring,” Keeneland director of sales operations Cormac Breathnach said after Book 1. “I think it was down by nearly half this year, with 85 or 90 head. The scratches played into it.”  :: Bet with the Best! Get FREE All-Access PPs and Weekly Cashback when you wager on DRF Bets. The Candy Ride filly went to the Resolute Bloodstock of John Stewart, who emerged as a major player in the marketplace last fall as he moved to establish a full-scale breed-to-race operation. But behind that end user, pinhookers have been extremely active in that marketplace after finding tough going at the November sales.  “We hope there will be a big market for him next [season],” Jenny O’Callaghan of Woods Edge Farm said after the Justify colt was purchased in the name of P B Bloodstock. “We hope to bring him back next [season] as a yearling. We have full confidence in the stallion.”  In addition to providing more options for buyers, placement in the January sale allows young horses who may have been overlooked in November to shine.  “There were a lot of foals in November and we figured he would stand out here,” said Hunter Simms of Warrendale Sales, which consigned the Not This Time colt. “We always try to concentrate on finding the right sale and the right book to put them in. Whether it’s November, January, February, wherever, we try to find the right spot where they stand out.” Star Act sold privately Star Act, the dam of likely Eclipse Award champion Just F Y I, has been privately sold for $1.2 million to the partnership of Hill ‘n’ Dale and Determined Stud after failing to meet her reserve through the ring at Keeneland January.  Breeder George Krikorian initially retained his homebred Star Act, carrying a foal from the first crop of multiple Grade 1 winner Life Is Good, after she went through the ring in Monday’s opening session, with a high bid of $950,000 failing to meet her reserve. Hill ‘n’ Dale handled the consignment of the mare, as agent.  Stakes-placed Star Act is the dam of three winners from as many starters. Her third foal is Just F Y I, who won all three of her starts in 2023 for Krikorian, highlighted by a pair of Grade 1s in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies and Frizette Stakes. Just F Y I is a finalist for the Eclipse Award as outstanding 2-year-old filly, and is favored to be named that champion when the awards are presented Jan. 25.  Star Act, by Street Cry, is out of Grade 1-winning millionaire Starrer. The latter is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Stellar Jayne, and this is also the immediate family of Grade 1 winner Star Billing.  :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.