Washington sale average up

AUBURN, Wash. - Boosted by a pair of six-figure purchases, the average price at Tuesday's Washington Thoroughbred Breeders Association's annual summer yearling sale at Emerald Downs rose to $17,172, a gain of 2 percent over last year's average.

Of the 216 yearlings cataloged, 144 sold for gross receipts of $2,472,800. Twelve yearlings were withdrawn before the sale, and 60 failed to attain their reserves, down three from last year.

A colt by Siphon out of the stakes producing mare Renee's Reflection topped the sale at $120,000, while a filly by Smart Strike from the stakes winner Northern Hilite brought $100,000. Both yearlings were consigned by Northwest Farms, and Fleetwood Bloodstock, Inc., purchased both as agent for Stanley Fulton, owner of Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino in New Mexico.

The slight increase in average price bucked a soft economy and a downward trend in recent yearling sales in Kentucky, New York, and California.

The WTBA's winter mixed sale will be held Oct. 20.