Keeneland September's third day sees several six-figure prices early

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The Keeneland September yearling sale's third session - and first non-select day - got off to a buoyant start Tuesday with four horses selling for more than $200,000 and a $500,000 early session leader.

Trainer Bob Baffert, as agent, signed the receipt for the session leader, a $500,000 Stormy Atlantic colt from Gerry Dilger's Dromoland agency. Baffert did not disclose his client.

The bay colt is a son of the Royal Academy winner Vassar, already the dam of Grade 1-placed winner Coast Guard and stakes-placed Garifine. Coast Guard is a full brother to the $500,000 colt.

The second-highest price at the session at that time was the $325,000 that Fox Hill Farm, represented by agent Tom McGreevy, paid for the Hidden Brook agency's Tale of the Cat colt out of the Pleasant Colony mare Valdivia. The dark bay or brown colt is a half-brother to the winner Imperial River.

About an hour later, Fox Hill also bought a $320,000 Unbridled's Song filly from the Crossroad Sales agency. A daughter of the Salt Lake winner Wawasee, the dark bay or brown filly is a half-sister to stakes winner Miss Tizzynow.

Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum's agent, John Ferguson, returned to action early Tuesday. Ferguson bought a $260,000 Elusive Quality colt out of stakes winner and stakes producer Valid Warning. The bay colt is a full brother to dual group-placed Elusive Warning. Claiborne Farm, agent, was the consignor.

Zayat Stables, which settled a $34 million lawsuit earlier this summer with Fifth Third Bank, also paid $260,000 for Audley Farm's Empire Maker colt out of Grade 3 winner and Grade 1-placed Untouched Talent. Brookdale Sales, agent, consigned the bay colt on behalf of Audley.