Whywhywhy filly tops second straight up day

A $150,000 Whywhywhy-Vermilion Sea filly led selling Wednesday at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company spring 2-year-old sale in Ocala, Fla., on the second consecutive day of gains at the auction.

Wednesday's third session sold 174 juveniles for $4,751,000, edging up from last year's total of $7,744,500 for 189 horses. Average price and median both increased by 9 percent to $27,305 and $18,500, respectively. But buybacks also moved up slightly, from 27 percent last season to 28 percent.

Silverton Hill purchased the session-topping Whywhywhy filly from Michael Yates's Shadybrook agency. The chestnut filly is a half-sister to stakes-placed Big Lou.

Cataloged as Hip No. 632, the filly had breezed three-eighths in 32.80 seconds at the under-tack show, the fastest work over that distance at the preview.

The OBS spring juvenile auction continues through Thursday at the OBS pavilion. Sessions begin daily at 10:30 a.m.