Keeneland September: Book 3 horses to watch on Saturday

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Following its dark day Friday, the Keeneland September yearling sale resumes Saturday morning with the opening session of Book 3, the fifth of 12 sessions overall.

Here are some of the horses to watch in the Saturday session, largely based on their pages and the market trends seen thus far. The selections reflect catalog updates and sale outs through Thursday.

Hip No. 1196, filly by Tapit – Silvery Starlet, by Unbridled’s Song. Consigned by Timber Town Stable, agent.
The winning mare Silvery Starlet, who was herself a million-dollar yearling, is the dam of Grade 3-placed Unbridled Honor. Silvery Starlet is a half-sister to Grade 1 winners and successful sires Roman Ruler and El Corredor, Grade 3 winner Silver Tornado, Grade 1-placed Maimonides, and stakes producer Spun Silver.

Hip No. 1236, filly by Gun Runner – Taxable, by Tapit. Consigned by Gainesway, agent.
Horse of the Year Gun Runner, who has been a commercial powerhouse this season, has already proven a solid cross with Tapit mares, producing graded stakes winners Wicked Halo and Society. This Grade 3-placed mare has additional credentials to add to that cross, as her first starter is a winner by Candy Ride, Gun Runner’s sire. This is the family of Kentucky Oaks winner Summerly.

Hip No. 1286, filly by City of Light – Alexis Tangier, by Tiznow. Consigned by Lane’s End, agent.
City of Light’s commercially popular first crop is beginning to fire on the racetrack, and his second crop produced multiple seven-figure yearlings during Book 1 at this sale. Multiple stakes winner Alexis Tangier is from a highly productive family, with her first dam, Grade 3 winner Cambiocorsa, filling this catalog page. Cambiocorsa is the dam of Grade 2 winners Moulin de Mougin and Schiaparelli; stakes winner Bronson; and stakes-placed Vionnet, the dam of European Horse of the Year Roaring Lion.

Hip No. 1292, filly by Justify – American Cleopatra, by Pioneerof the Nile. Consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales, agent.
Two Triple Crown winners appear on this catalog page. American Cleopatra, Grade 1-placed as a juvenile, is a full sister to Triple Crown winner American Pharoah and Group 3-placed St Patrick’s Day, as well as a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Chasing Yesterday and stakes-placed Triple Tap.

Hip No. 1332, colt by Twirling Candy – Bizzy Caroline, by Afleet Alex. Consigned by Runnymede Farm.
Multiple Grade 3 winner Bizzy Caroline, dam of two winners from five starters, is a half-sister to Eclipse Award champion Lady Eli.

Hip No. 1349, filly by Kitten’s Joy – Celestial Woods, by Forestry. Consigned by Bedouin Bloodstock, agent.
This will be one of the final crops by Kitten’s Joy, who died this summer. Celestial Woods is the dam of eight winners from as many starters, including Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner Bobby’s Kitten, multiple graded stakes winner Camelot Kitten, and stakes winner Major Magic, all by Kitten’s Joy. This is the family of Grade 1 winners Forbidden Apple and Wild Event.

Hip No. 1419, colt by Quality Road – Faypien, by Ghostzapper. Consigned by Eaton Sales, agent for Stonestreet Farm.
Quality Road is the sire of the sale-topper at Keeneland September and is currently among the leading sires by average price. Grade 2 winner Faypien is early in her broodmare career; her first three dams are stakes winners.

Hip No. 1457, Carry Permit, colt by Constitution – India, by Hennessy. Consigned by Lane’s End, agent.
Young classic sire Constitution was a standout freshman of 2019. The foals from his resulting book of mares are now yearlings, and he is having a breakout commercial season as a result. Multiple graded stakes winner India is the dam of Grade 1 winner Mozu Ascot and stakes winner Kareena; she is a half-sister to Pilfer, the dam of Grade 1 winners To Honor and Serve and Angela Renee. This family enjoyed a blockbuster sale at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga this summer. Angela Renee’s colt commanded $1.75 million, while Secret Sigh, a daughter of India, had a colt sold for $1.5 million.

Hip No. 1465, filly by American Pharoah – Julia Tuttle, by Giant’s Causeway. Consigned by Dixiana Farms.
This is a half-sister to Grade 1-winning millionaire Tom’s d’Etat. Grade 3-placed stakes winner Julia Tuttle also is from the extended family of Grade 1 winner and sire Candy Ride.

Hip No. 1523, colt by Curlin – Missile Bay, by Yes It’s True. Consigned by Summerfield Sales, agent for Stonestreet Farm.
Stakes winner Missile Bay is the dam of seven winners from nine starters, led by multiple graded stakes winner Terra Promessa, a full sister to this colt.