Second Holsapple bargain buy romps in debut

Two days after owners Krystle and Hutch Holsapple and trainer Justin Johns sold the bargain auction buy Winning Envelope for big money, the same connections sent out another 2-year-old filly, Thunderous Gem, to debut at Arlington.

Winning Envelope won her debut Aug. 11 by six lengths and got a 77 Beyer Speed Figure. Thunderous Gem won her debut Aug. 17 by 7 3/4 lengths and got a 76 Beyer. Hutch Holsapple goes to the Keeneland sale in January and the Fasig-Tipton sale in February each winter to buy one or two horses on the cheap. Winning Envelope cost him $3,000 at Keeneland, Thunderous Gem just $3,500 at Fasig-Tipton. Lighting did strike twice.

Winning Envelope already has been purchased by Bob Lothenbach and now is trained by Chris Block, and Thunderous Gem, by Gemologist, is very much for sale. One interested party, Holsapple said, already has vetted her out but wants Thunderous Gem to breeze wearing a dynamic endoscope before consummating the purchase.

The two fillies were workmates this summer, and while Winning Envelope was the faster horse, Thunderous Gem, Holsapple said, is “a better-looking filly – bigger, stronger, more correct.” Winning Envelope supposedly was damaged goods when she sold and was being offered as a broodmare prospect, but Thunderous Gem had a full vet report at the sale and no obvious issues. She just slipped through the cracks – and Holsapple was there to catch her.