Ocala day-one numbers up

LEXINGTON, Ky. - As the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's March select juvenile sale entered its second and final session Wednesday, agent John Ferguson put up the high early bid of $325,000 for a Two Punch colt who sold as Hip No. 300.

The colt is a son of Gala Goldie (Jungle Savage) and half-brother to stakes winners Gala Goldilocks, Gala de Oro, and Gala Gold Digger, as well as to stakes placed Gala Gold Dust and Gala Goldie's Best. Robert McElroy, agent, sold the gray or roan colt, who was one of the fastest quarter-mile workers at the March 16 under-tack show with a 21.40-second time.

The second day's selling followed strong returns at Tuesday's opener. A $350,000 American Chance filly out of the Stalwart mare Sweet and Lowdown topped the opening session on a bid from Team Valor. Moonshadow Farm, agent, sold the filly. Overall, the first session sold 137 lots for a total of $9,635,000, well above last year's returns of $6,255,000 for 98 horses. The average price rose 10 percent from last year to $70,328, and the median held level with last year's figure at $50,000. The buy-back rate fell from 39 percent in 2003 to 34 percent this year.