Malibu Moon started his stud career at Country Life Farm before being “called up” to his owner’s Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky. But it’s safe to say he’s still thought of fondly in his adopted “home” state.

Malibu Moon sired nine horses sold for a total of $1,177,000, a strong average of $130,778, at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic juvenile sale. His group was led by a $500,000 filly sold to bloodstock agent Steven Young, on behalf of Oussama Aboughazale’s Sumaya US Stables. She was consigned by de Meric Sales, as agent.

A local boy made good at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic juvenile sale, as young Maryland stallion Friesan Fire was represented by the second highest-priced horse of the auction overall, an $825,000 colt sold to Crupi’s New Castle Farm. He was consigned by Scanlon Training and Sales.

Friesan Fire, a son of A.P. Indy, stands at Country Life Farm in Bel Air, Md. The Grade 2 winner’s first foals are 3-year-olds of 2016.

It’s not unusual for a horse to get multiple catalog updates between the time a sale catalog is printed and the time they go to the ring, but consignors Jenn and Quincy Adams had never gotten an update quite like this.

The Preakness Stakes undercard proved bountiful for the Matz family.

Trainer Michael Matz saddled Truly Together to an optional-claiming win early in the day, and then his wife, Dorothy Matz, had her turn in the spotlight as the breeder of Grade 2 Dixie Stakes winner Takeover Target.

After 14 years and many missed targets, Mike Tarp’s investment in Magibel is finally paying off, thanks to the talented Go Maggie Go.

In 1982, Thoroughbred owner, breeder, and, most notably, Hall of Fame trainer King Leatherbury purchased the Drone mare Dronette for just $57,000 in partnership out of the Timonium mixed sale.

It has paid dividends.

Dronette went on to be a productive broodmare, represented by several stakes horses, and several of her daughters also became stakes producers. She is the granddam of two Maryland-bred horse of the year honorees in Ben’s Cat and Ah Day, both trained by Leatherbury.

The morning after the Preakness Stakes, trainer Keith Desormeaux needed to look no further than Exaggerator’s pedigree line to express his confidence about the upcoming Belmont Stakes.

“It’s about pedigree,” Desormeaux said. “I can’t do much more in deepening his fitness – it’s there. That mile-and-a-half deal, pedigree is more important than what I’m gonna do in the morning. Pedigree wins the Belmont.

The 3-year-old colt crop of 2007 was widely regarded at the time as one of the best and most competitive in decades, and the three top colts – Curlin, Hard Spun, and Street Sense – all went to stud in 2008 or 2009 with considerable fanfare.

Gamble’s Ghost

Ghostzapper – Gambling Girl, by Secret Claim

Queen’s Plate and Woodbine Oaks prospects Gamble’s Ghost and Caren ran one-two in the Grade 3 Selene Stakes on May 15 at Woodbine. In the case of Gamble’s Ghost, she is from a family that has produced outstanding fillies, and classic influences, on both sides of her pedigree.