LEXINGTON, Ky. - The record-breaking March select juvenile sale at Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. in Ocala, Fla., last Tuesday and Wednesday gave another boost to an auction that has been on the upswing over the last decade.

The sale's 2006 edition set an all-time price record for an OBS auction when a Belong to Me-Vassar colt consigned by Ciaran Dunne's Wavertree agency drew a $1.8 million bid from agent Buzz Chace. That broke a record that had stood since 1982, when K D Princess sold in foal to Timeless Moment for $1.725 million at the OBS fall mixed sale.

The rich get richer among horses that compete in the Maryland Horse Breeders Association Yearling Show.

Every year, the eight top-earning 2- and 3-year-olds who participated in the show (which is exclusively for Maryland-breds) divide a total of $40,000 in premiums.

A $1.8 million Belong to Me colt and a $1 million Indian Charlie filly set records for top prices at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s March select juvenile sale Wednesday in Ocala, Fla.

The seven-figure lots also helped lift the OBS March sale's overall numbers. The two-day sale ended Wednesday with 286 juveniles sold for a total of $31,044,000, well up from last year's $26,399,000 for 323 lots. Average price also climbed sharply, rising 33 percent to $108,545.

A bill that would require increased disclosure from agents in Kentucky horse sales is headed to Gov. Ernie Fletcher's office, where it is expected to be signed into law.

One day after the auction house hosted its annual racing day in Ocala, Fla., the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. made a strong start at its 2-year-old sale Tuesday, with a $475,000 Deputy Commander colt the top lot on a final bid from Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum's Darley Stable.

Niall Brennan Stables, agent, sold the colt. Offered as Hip No. 241, the bay colt is out of Regrets Only, a Black Tie Affair mare who also has produced the Grade 3-placed Commander's Affair. That runner is a full brother to the session-topper.

LAS VEGAS - Of all the 3-year-olds that ran in last weekend's four Kentucky Derby preps in New York, Arkansas, Southern California, and Florida, the San Felipe runners may have provided the best clues to this year's Derby because the first three finishers are all bred to relish longer distances.

Under the care of new trainer John Shirreffs, A. P. Warrior, a son of A.P. Indy, returned to the good form he showed at 2, winning the San Felipe in a thriller over Point Determined (Point Given) and Bob and John (Seeking the Gold).

The sixth annual Adena Springs sale of 2 year-olds in training, held Monday at the Adena Thoroughbred center near Ocala, Fla., had declined in both average and median prices from the 2005 edition of the sale.

This year, 65 homebreds sold for an average price of $67,646, a decline of more than 20 percent. The median price this year of $45,000 was down 25 percent from 2005. The buy-back rate was around 37 percent.

"Last year's numbers were pretty lofty," said Mark Roberts, general manager of Adena Springs. "But I think we did well, and we're still building a buyer base."

Secrettame, dam of the successful racehorse and sire Gone West, died Friday after colicking. She was 28.

Secrettame colicked Friday morning and was sent to the Rood and Riddle clinic in Lexington, Ky., where she died.

Bred by the late equine surgeon Dr. William O. Reed and campaigned by his wife, Audrey, Secrettame was a Grade 2-placed stakes winner. She won 6 of her 10 starts and finished second once, in the 1981 Gazelle, then a Grade 2. Her stakes victory came in the second division of the 1983 Shirley Jones Handicap at Gulfstream. Bruce Johnstone trained her.

The newly amended lawsuit brought by Jess Jackson, which accuses several bloodstock agents and a farm owner of defrauding him in numerous Thoroughbred purchases, has raised a debate over the practice of some sellers to make payments to buyers' representatives.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Victory in the Santa Anita Oaks was the second Grade 1 success for Balance, a promising 3-year-old filly who is a daughter of Kentucky Derby winner Thunder Gulch and the Kris S. mare Vertigineux. The win makes her the filly to beat in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks on the first Friday in May.

On the basis of her current form, Balance is the best daughter of Thunder Gulch since Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Spain, but as similar as they are in talent, the two could hardly be more different in physique.