The average price for a New York-bred declined at the recent Ocala Breeders' Sales Company 2-year-olds in training sale, as 75 lots sold for a gross return of $2,049,600.

The average price of $27,328 for New York-breds at the sale was below the average of $36,152 at the corresponding sale in 2005, although the median price increased and the percentage of those not sold decreased.

This year's New York-bred median of $22,000 was a bit higher than the $21,500 figure for 2005, and considerably higher than the sale's overall median of $17,000.

The 2006 2-year-olds in training sales are winding down. The Ocala Breeders' Sales June sale of 2-year-olds in training, which starts on June 20, ends the season in Florida. Less than a month later, July 18, Fasig-Tipton Kentucky ushers in the first of the selected yearling sales. The Fasig-Tipton selected yearling sale at Saratoga begins on Aug. 9, and 12 days afterward yearlings sell with OBS in Ocala.

The Barretts May sale of 2-year-olds in training has been one of California's most successful sales in recent years, as measured by average price.

In 2004 and 2005, the May sale produced record averages, settling at $39,708 for 193 horses sold last year. The average was a 6 percent improvement over 2004.

The sale was reduced from two days in 2003 to one day in 2004. In 2004, the average grew 22.5 percent, to $37,371.

They may be related, but that is where the similarities end between million-dollar baby Garibaldi and tough little Atlas Shrugs, a two-time stakes winner at Woodbine this spring.

In human terms, Garibaldi is the uncle of Atlas Shrugs. Garibaldi, who was recently second in a quick allowance race at Keeneland for trainer Patrick Biancone, and Atlas Shrugs's dam, Ms. Forum, are out of the stakes-placed sprinting mare Ms. Copelan.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Crossing the finish line 6 1/2 lengths ahead of his nearest competition, Barbaro was one of the most dominant Kentucky Derby winners of recent decades. His status as an unbeaten classic winner and his potential on the track and as a stallion have escalated his value into the stratosphere.

As a result of these factors, industry professionals have estimated his current value at around $25 million to $30 million, although that figure is both fluid and certain to change as the brawny bay colt races through the next few months.

Binnie and Eddie Houghton have a long history with the female side of Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro's family, going back to Barbaro's great-great-granddam, Silver Abbey. Binnie Houghton's family can count even more generations. "We've been going on [with this family] for something like 70 years," she said.

A. P Jet, the New York-based stallion injured in an accident that killed another stallion on April 30, was expected to return to Sugar Maple Farm in Poughquag, N.Y., on Friday.

A. P Jet has been in an undisclosed equine veterinary hospital since the accident.

A statement released by Sugar Maple on Wednesday said that "as of today we expect A. P Jet to make a full recovery."

LAS VEGAS - Last Saturday was a good day for pedigree handicappers as normalcy returned to the Kentucky Derby after a four-year hiatus. The victory by Barbaro was satisfying because it was the first time since Monarchos in 2001 that a runner who was bred to enjoy 1 1/4 miles ran to his pedigree and won the race. Interestingly, Monarchos and Barbaro's sire, Dynaformer, descend from the same female family.

The Barretts auction company in California has hired former trainer Kim Lloyd as its vice president of sales, the company announced Monday.

Lloyd trained such stakes winners as Royal Regatta and Fu Man Slew before retiring in 2001. Now 51, he most recently was fleet sales manager at a Southern California car dealership.

Lloyd will help the sales company recruit buyers and sellers for the Barretts marketplace.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Not every horse is ready for the most exciting two minutes in sports, and sometimes, among those who either are shut out of the Kentucky Derby on earnings, or have a small physical problem, or are coming into form just a bit late, there is a grand jewel of a racehorse.