Another viable strategy would be to pick the best available 2nd tier freshmen sires. We were not going to be able to afford Arrogate, Classic Empire, or Gun Runner, so what was left? My favorite was Midnight Storm. He was durable, turf or dirt, and could run 1 1/4 miles. He is a son of Pioneerof the Nile, adding interesting pedigree with Bertrando on the dam side.
What would have happened if Midnight Storm were our starting point? Let’s get back in the time machine and see:
#185 at FT – I would have been thrilled to buy this filly by Midnight Storm out of a Ghostzapper mare. Mom was not much of a runner, never getting a fig above 75. She has already produced a multiple graded stakes winner, and another $100,000 winner. The 2nd dam was by Hansel, one of my favorite stamina influences. The second dam was a $300,000 winner and a multiple graded stakes producer. Hip #185 was born May 31st, scaring away all known pinhookers.
The horse sold for only $35,000. This was my favorite buy in either sale. I could not find another Midnight Storm for under $25,000 in either sale. Six sold for that price, but none met my standards. Gormley was my second favorite freshman sire, but we handled that in the previous post.
My third favorite freshmen is Connect. Connect is a late developing son of Curlin that won the Cigar Mile and Pennsylvania Derby. West Point bought a very interesting Connect early in the sale, and I knew there was a similar horse on the last day
#4247 – This son of Connect is out of a Vindication mare, the same cross as Exaggerator. Mom was not much of a runner, but has produced two winners. The second dam was a multiple graded stakes winner on the turf.
For only $15,000 this horse was a great bargain. Could I really have waited through 5000 horses and grabbed this one? If my budget was $25,000 this horse would have been a standout worth waiting for.
Buying A Race Horse 