Two six-figure yearlings at Keeneland Saturday

LEXINGTON, Ky. - A pair of six-figure colts topped Saturday's session at the Keeneland September yearling sale, one day after the auction endured its most severe declines so far this year.

Saturday's session sold 235 yearlings for $2,587,200, down 24 percent. The $11,009 average was down 20 percent from last year's equivalent session, and the $5,500 median fell 39 percent. Buybacks increased slightly from 25 percent last season to 27 percent.

Saturday's declines represented an improvement over the Friday session, when gross receipts plunged 60 percent, average plummeted 55 percent, and median dived 53 percent.

The first yearling to bring six figures Saturday was a $180,000 bay Powerscourt colt out of Momentary Hope that Tony Lacy bought on behalf of Malih al-Basti. Momentary Hope, an unraced Southern Halo mare, already is the dam of 2009 Grade 3 winner Ravalo, the session-topper's half-brother.

Heaven Trees Farm was the consignor.

The second yearling to bring six figures was a $120,000 Indian Charlie colt out of the stakes-placed Carson City mare Lady Chance. She is the dam of the winner Awesome Chance, by Awesome Again. D & E Racing bought the colt from Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services. Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services, which led all sellers with 11 yearlings sold fro $223,900, consigned the $120,000 colt on behalf of Morrowdale Farm.

Yearling-to-juvenile reseller Eisaman Equine was Saturday's leading buyer with nine purchases totaling $210,000.

The auction has rung up declines since its opening day, as was widely expected after 30-percent downturns in the early season 2-year-olds sales and the still-sluggish general economy.

The sale was to continue through Sept. 28 at the Keeneland sale pavilion. Sessions begin daily at 10 a.m.