For Sale: Double Agent

Double Agent, the 3 year old filly by Jenny's My Gal and out of Led Astray, is for sale on the sales page. She has a record of 6:0-2-0 with $25,000 in earnings with both seconds coming earlier this year.

She was bred for distance, but her AR indicates she is a sprinter-type. She runs well on every surface and has a long peak.

Auction End Time: December 4, 2011 8:00 am

Ability Report for horse 12131

Double Agent (2012), 16.2 hand brown filly

By Jenny's My Gal out of Led Astray by Our Differences

This horse will mature quickly and be at peak performance early (2-3).

This horse will enjoy a long peak performance time, several racing seasons.

This horse is good on hard dirt.

This horse is good on soft dirt.

This horse prefers mud.

This horse is good on hard turf.

This horse prefers soft turf.

This horse is of average soundness.

This horse has average ratability.

This horse appears to be a sprinter.

Victory in Japan Sets up Sprinter TC Bid

After a smashing win in the Yasuda Kinen, War of the Lilies looks to the Sprinter's Triple Crown - starting with the Lightning Stakes. Not since her first start has she raced at so short a distance. But this filly has the raw speed and talent to pose a threat to the year's best sprinters.

"It's always been a goal of ours to win the Sprinter's Triple Crown," owner Chelsey T. told reporters as she oversaw the unloading of the 3 year old filly at Flemington. "Handsome Man came close winning the Lighting and the Oakleigh, but we've never had much luck in this race."

Hopeful Farm has seen some top sprinters since Handsome Man won the Lightning Stakes in back-to-back years (2004 & 2005), but they haven't had a Top 3 finish since their foundation stallion.

"Lilies has all the tools to become a star on the sprinting tracks," Chelsey continued. "I think she has a real shot winning next weekend."

Current Entries: (Updated Dec. 1)

D-Day (JD Kayll Race Club) 6 year old stallion: The 2013 Eclipse Sprinting (co) Chamption has 5 wins (out of 6 tries) this year. This grey stallion has the speed to cut it against the best. He's another that stands a good chance of coming home at the top.

Hepatic Flap (FDL Lodge) 7 year old Stallion: A top sprinter for 5 years and last year's Eclipse Sprinter of the Year has managed a Track Record and World Record at 7 years old. This veteran stallion from FDL Lodge shouldn't be counted out. He still has world class speed. He'll be in it to win it.

Horizon (Zippy Chippy Stables) 4 year old stallion: In the last 6 starts this stallion has not run better than 5th in a field of 7. He hasn't won since he was a juvenile. This stallion won't come within 15 lengths of the leaders. 

Other Side of Life (Long Island Hayburners) 4 year old filly: On turf this filly has run twice this year and has come home the winner twice. She's got the speed and on her preferred surface this filly will be a contender. 

Reining Money (Golden Acres) - 4 year old stallion: Last year's Breeder's Cup Turf Sprint winner has 2 wins and 2 seconds this season with some nice times posted in lower class races. He hasn't been seen much on the G1 circuit, but this colt has some speed in his feet.

War Dance (Absinthe Acres) - 6 year old stallion: This lightly raced older stallion has some speed and ability. But doesn't have the class to run with the top sprinters of the year. 

War of the Lilies (Hopeful Farm) 3 year old filly: Last year's Eclipse 2 Year old Filly turns away from the 3 year old classics and now looks to the sprinting circles. From 5 - 8.5 furlongs she has has a record of 9:7-2-0 and a Track Record at 6 furlongs (2014). She's got speed and will be a threat in the sprinting circles.

Predictions:
War of the Lilies, D-Day, and Hepatic Flap will fight for 1-2-3. Reining Money and Other Side of Life won't be far behind. War Dance will put up a strong run, but won't be there in the end and Horizon will round out the field.

(1) War of the Lilies

(2) D-Day

(3) Hepatic Flap

(4) Reining Money

(5) Other Side of LIfe
(6) War Dance

(7) Horizon

For Sale: Kay's Heir

Kay's Heir is a 4 year old racing stallion. Lightly raced he's faced the starters only 8 times in his career coming home 2nd in his last two races. Despite his sprinting pedigree this tall grey stallion has proven that he has some deep lungs - running well at 10 and 11 furlongs.

He prefers the turf ovals, but runs well on the dirt as well. This stallion has been a pleasure to work with and trains well. He's a real easy keeper.

If you are interested in him as a racing prospect, he's likely to do well at the ALW/STK level. A range of 9 - 12 furlongs would suit him well. He seems to be entreating his peak at 4 and should finish out the season well.

Listed as a BUY IT NOW for a mere $1,000 OBO.

Ability Report for horse 11373

Kay's Heir (2011), 17.2 hand light gray colt

By Dansilver out of Lady Kay by Kinjite

This horse will mature at the average rate (3-4).

This horse will have a very short peak time, perhaps only a single racing season.

This horse is ok on hard dirt.

This horse is good on soft dirt.

This horse is ok in mud.

This horse is good on hard turf.

This horse is ok on soft turf.

This horse has physical problems that may lead to alot of injury downtime.

This horse obeys its jockey and is flexible in its pacing.

This horse likes a lot of distance.

For Sale: Miss Congeniality

Pulled up sore in her last race, but the vet check pronounced her sound for all work. Just needs rest until June 8th. If you are interested in her as a race mare, the vet suggests not putting her in hard works until June 8th and not picking up a race schedule until the end of June at the earliest.

This gorgeous filly is broke to ride and has quick feet. She could be an exceptional horse off the track with more training (dressage, jumping, eventing... and she's got the temperament to be a nice trail horse with some more miles). She is a big mare standing just under 17 hands and has the gravitas to grab the attention in the ring. She is a wonder to work with, very willing and obliging. Very sweet and an easy keeper. She is not marsh at all and does well in herd setting.

Currently needs experienced rider only! As she is fresh from the racing tracks. She's residing in Michigan right now. Feel free to come try her out. You won't be disappointed! Call (269)-625-XXXX for more information. Serious inquiries only!

Ability Report for horse 12129

Miss Congeniality (2012), 16.3 hand golden chestnut filly

By Congenial out of Crown Rose by Chief's Crown

This horse will mature quickly and be at peak performance early (2-3).

This horse will have an average performance peak, at least two racing seasons.

This horse prefers hard dirt.

This horse is poor on soft dirt.

This horse is good in mud.

This horse is ok on hard turf.

This horse is good on soft turf.

This horse is very hardy and unlikely to fall victim to injuries.

This horse has average ratability.

This horse appears to be primarily a miler.

Some Notes and Thoughts

• Inconsistency, Thy Name is New Secret: New Secret our 2014 Auction purchase has had more ups and downs than I know what to do with. In her last 5 starts she's raced at 8.5 furlongs on fast dirt. Her times have varied from 1:40.85 to 1:44.82 - a near 4 second variance. I'm not sure what to do with her. She was purchased as a breeding prospect, but with her inconsistency I'm not sure if she'll find a place in the breeding shed. She's scheduled to race next weekend, but with limited stall space, she may be shipped out if things don't improve. 
• Future Broodmares: Seduction and Serephina (aged 6 and 5) have solidified their positions as future Hopeful Farm broodmares. Seduction a World Record holder at 6.5 furlongs will retire at the end of this season and is likely to see Handsome Man or Perfection. Serephina is a solid distance racer who will run on all surfaces. If she keeps up her form, she'll race in 2016 before retiring at 6 years old. 
• Future at Hopeful Farm - Unclear: Miss Congeniality and Kay's Heir need to show some drastic improvement or they run the risk of being sold. Both should be at, or close to, their peaks. The time for excuses is running out. 
• Some Real Improvements: Change of Heart was on the chopping block a few weeks ago. But then she pulled off a stellar win as the 3/5 favorite in the Richland Hills Stakes. Here's hoping she'll continue down this road of improvement. HM Kay Dynasty has been running under the radar, but in his last 5 starts he has 3 wins and 2 seconds he's starting to gain some attention (at least among Hopeful Farm staff). He's got some speed, but can he turn it into a winning formula remains to be seen. 
• Changing Plans: It's no secret that I had originally planned a classics schedule for War of the Lilies this year. But as the results have clearly shown, she just doesn't have the stamina to cut it. But that doesn't mean she's out of racing. She's still a talented filly with some tremendous speed. Look for her at 8 furlongs and under starting in the Yasuda Kinen.
• Still a Few Surprises: Southern Belle won the Kentucky Oaks, Coaching Club American Oaks, and Breeder's Cup Distaff last year. In her last start she was very impressive winning the Santa Anita Handicap with an impressive time of 1:58.75. She showed speed and stamina I didn't know she had. Now she faces Gradient and a talented field in the Metropolitan Handicap. Can she win? I don't know, but I've got a wager on her to win. 
• In Need of Stalls: I am currently at capacity and because I have no free stalls I can not bid on any horse on the Sales List. This needs to change.... soon. 

Change of Plans

After 4 starts with no wins to her name, War of the Lilies has a bit of a change coming ahead of her. I knew she'd be a long shot to win the Kentucky Oaks, but I felt she earned a chance to make a start. Prior to the race I had predicted she'd finish 4th. Although it wasn't a surprising end, I am still a little disappointed that she won't be going on in the classics.

But her career is far from over. She boasts a "very long peak" and she is still a top notch racer. She just has to find a new niche. As a dual-surface threat and excellent speed, I have no doubt she'll find the winner's circle before long.

She's been shipped to Japan where she's preparing for the 8 furlong Yasuda Kinen in June and then to Australia where she'll take on the top sprinters in the Sprinter's Triple Crown.

Make Sense of This

I purchased Pussy Cat Doll from Eureka Racing Stables as a 3 year old for $250,000. It was a steep, but not too unreasonable purchase for the young, promising filly. Two years later I found myself in a stall crunch and she was sold to Glenmore Parkfor $500,000 as a broodmare prospect. Still, not a too unreasonable price for the filly. 

I always semi-regretted selling her as she was a honest mare with nice stamina. When I saw her on the Sales Page I decided I wanted her back. I figured if I could get her around the same price it'd be a good buy.

But then our friend Steven at Golden Acres decided to shatter our plans and quickly raised the bid. In a spur-of-the-moment decision I decided to re-bid and I find myself the winner with a cool price of $1,300,500. Almost 5 times what I originally purchased her for and 2.5 times what I sold her for (and well over what I had expected to pay this time around).

Undoubtably the most illogical purchase I've ever made. My accountant is still shaking his head at that one. He says he's taking my name off the check-book from now on... 

Recent Purchases: Two Broodmares from Australia

In the past few weeks I've acquired two mares from Australia to add to the Hopeful Farm broodmare band. Notice Me from FDL Lodge became our 15th broodmare, and, more recently, the deal on Memorabilia with Chiquita Lodge was finalized.

Memorabilia's sale is still being processed, but we expect her stateside within the next week.

I remember Notice Me as a racer and thought she had a lot of potential. She never quite lived up to all her early promise, but had a solid career winning over $1 million. She has many fine qualities that should make her an excellent broodmare. I have tentatively set up a date with War Machine for this breeding season. Otsego Farm's leading stud has produced outstanding foals for us in the past, and Notice Me seems to be a strong fit as a dirt specialist from 9 to 11 furlongs.

Memorabilia is a long sprinter running best under 9 furlongs. She spent most of her career on the turf, but had some decent runs on the dirt tracks. She won over $4 million with 3 track records, including a win at the Hong Kong Sprint. She was a strong racer and very competitive on the turf tracks. She was purchased with the intention of pairing with our own stallions. She'll see either Handsome Man or Perfection, but I'm leaning towards the latter.

This brings our final broodmare count to 16. My goal is to add 1 to 5 more broodmares in the next year. If you are interested in selling an older race mare or retired broodmare, send me an email or message me on the forum.  

Walking on Thin Ice

3 year old filly Miss Congeniality and 4 year old colt Kay's Heir might find themselves on the chopping block if they don't shape up soon. Both have potential, but they need to make a strong case to keep their stall space. Currently I am at capacity. I have too many horses. I like to keep 1 or 2 stalls open just in case that one special horse shows up on the Sales List. So someone has to go.

Earlier in the year I wrote the article One Last Chance  that included 5 racers that needed to show some improvement. Since then The Sequel, Double Agent, and Star Struck have all showed progress. Miss Congeniality and Kay's Heir have been disappointing - to say the least. 

With a 4:0-0-0 and 6:0-0-0 record neither of these racers have much going for them - except for some nice breeding and a gut feeling. 

I've said it many times before, but I just can't sell Kay's Heir. I don't know why, but I'm convinced he'll pan out. I'm probably wrong. 

Miss Congeniality... I'm less keen on keeping her. But she has been given a reprieve.. for now. But one more bad start... and she'll likely be the first Hopeful Farm horse to hit the Sales Page in 2015. 

War of the Lilies Trains at Royal Randwick... Not on Racecard

War of the Lilies was spotted on the training tracks at the Australian track earlier this week. Rumors were floating around the that 3 year old filly was going to race here after her disappointing run in the Kyodo News Service Hai. Entries closed without this filly's name appearing on any of the cards.

"Chelsey and I," Meagan Kane, Assistant Trainer, told reporters this evening, "have been discussing Lilies futures plans. She's a game filly and will be ready to get back to the winner's circle. We considered starting her here, but decided, in the long run, it wasn't in her best interests. Her next race hasn't been finalized. She may be going home to the States, off to Japan, or staying here in Australia. Long term goals include Churchill Downs in May."

Assistant Trainer Meagan Kane has been overseeing Lilies during her time in Australia while Head Trainer and Owner Chelsey T. flew to out California where Hopeful Farm has 3 two-year-olds debuting this weekend.

Two year old colt Tempe's Logic (Run Missy Run x All for Camena) and two year old fillies Seeley's Heart (Braveheart x Grinder's Daughter) and The Ranger's Creed (Color of Fame x Led Astray) all face the starter for the first time. Amongst Hopeful Farm staff these three juveniles are considered to be some of their top prospects.