LOUISVILLE, Ky. – As 2-year-olds began to establish their stock over the last month, the wheeling and dealing began. As the first stakes race of the year for the division comes up in Thursday’s $250,000 Kentucky Juvenile at Churchill Downs, a few sets of connections are hoping for a quick return on investment, having acquired a trio of young guns off their debut efforts. Gulfstream Park debut winner Mensa brought a windfall in the most recent transaction of that trio, selling for $740,000 on Monday. The ridgling, a $135,000 yearling purchase by D. J. Stable, was made available in a “flash sale” hosted by Fasig-Tipton’s digital platform. Bidding began April 25 – the same day entries were taken for the Kentucky Juvenile – and closed Monday afternoon, with John Stewart's Resolute Racing winning the bidding war. The conditions of sale stated that the new owner would be able, but not obligated, to continue on to the Kentucky Juvenile, with Mark Casse remaining the trainer of record for the race. Stewart indicated that he plans to race this week. Kentucky Juvenile entrant The Queens M G, a $3,500 yearling purchase by Israel Acevedo, likely brought that owner and trainer a tidy profit when she was privately sold after winning on debut at Keeneland. She will now run in the Kentucky Juvenile for C2 Racing Stable and Mathis Stable and trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. Akinmusire was third on debut at Keeneland; the $5,000 yearling for Ismael and Daniel Bahena was privately purchased by Michael and Jules Iavarone and Jarrett Collins and transferred to Rick Dutrow. “You just hope they can run as well as they did for the previous connections,” Joseph said. “There’s not much you have to do fitness-wise.” Meanwhile, Gulfstream Park debut winner Mensa might change owners prior to Thursday’s race. The ridgling, a $135,000 yearling purchase by D. J. Stable, is available in a “flash sale” hosted by Fasig-Tipton’s digital platform. Bidding began on April 25 – the same day entries were taken for the Kentucky Juvenile – and the high bid was $280,000 on Sunday afternoon, 24 hours before bidding was to close. If Mensa meets his reserve and is sold, the new owner has the option, but not the obligation, to run in their silks on Thursday. Mark Casse would remain the trainer of record for the race, with the horse able to be moved postrace. Mensa won on debut April 12 at Gulfstream, sizzling 4 1/2 furlongs in 51.86 seconds. The Kentucky Juvenile is slightly longer, at five furlongs. The other entrants in this field all started at Keeneland, and Shoot It True was the fastest 2-year-old winner of the meet, rocketing out of the gate and pouring it on in a 7 1/2-length win in 52.04 on April 5. The Munnings filly – a $350,000 yearling purchase for Ice Wine Stable and Smart Choice Stable – is trained by Wesley Ward, who took six of the 10 2-year-old races at the spring meet. The Queens M G, who won on April 7, and Jet Sweep Joe, who won on April 17, are the other two Keeneland debut winners in this field. The rest of the field is comprised of maidens – some coming out of the same races at Keeneland, allowing for a better evaluation of form. Strummin was second to Shoot It True on debut, then third behind Jet Sweep Joe; he is the only member of this field with multiple starts. West Memorial fought it out with The Queens M G to finish second on debut. Tuxedo Park and Akinmusire were second and third, respectively, in an April 10 maiden race. Turnbuckle was fifth in Shoot It True’s race. A number of entrants in here are by freshman sires – and being able to accurately predict how precocious first-crop progeny might be can add value to handicapping. Mensa and Tuxedo Park are both by Complexity, who won the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes as a juvenile around one turn, where he was best. The Queens M G and West Memorial were the respective first starters for Thousand Words – also a graded winner as a juvenile – and Caracaro, from the precocious Uncle Mo sireline. Turnbuckle is by Global Campaign, who was best around two turns as an older horse. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.