Speed selling well at OBS

The Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s spring 2-year-old sale got off to a rocky start Tuesday but quickly proved it was capable of turning out six-figure prices.

The first three horses in the ring at the auction failed to meet their reserve prices, but buyers warmed up soon afterward. As of 5 p.m. at the first of the auction's four sessions, bidders were rewarding horses who had showed speed with high offers.

Hip No. 131, a Forest Wildcat filly out of Clever Kat, drew a $150,000 final offer from Charlotte Weber's Live Oak Plantation as the early session leader. Sold by Don R. Graham and Ocala Oaks Inc., the dark bay or brown filly is a half-sister to winners Always on Time and Tucson. Her dam, Clever Kat (by Comet Kat), is a stakes winner and earned more than $260,000. Hip No. 131 was one of five juveniles to run an eighth-mile in 10.20 seconds, topping the auction's under-tack show work tab.

Earlier in the session, Hip No. 88, a Concerto filly out of Carol's Sparkle, brought a final bid of $100,000 from Al and Sandee Kirkwood. The filly, from Grade 2 winner Concerto's first crop, came from Michael Yates's Shadybrook Farm agency. She had been among the fastest workers over a quarter-mile in the under-tack show, blitzing the distance in 21.20 seconds.

The $100,000 price was matched later, when Peter Doyle Bloodstock bought Hip No. 153, a colt by first-crop sire Parade Ground out of Australian champion Copperama. Eddie Woods, agent, sold the colt, who is a half-brother to the Grade 1 producer Stormy Exchange.

The auction continues through Friday, with continuous sessions beginning daily at 10:30 a.m. in the OBS pavilion in Ocala, Fla.