Catching up with top sellers from 2017 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga

As we look forward to the 98th Saratoga Sale tonight and Tuesday, let’s revisit the top-priced yearlings from last summer’s boutique Fasig-Tipton auction.

The $1 million Orb-Flashy American colt sports an apt name – ELVIS.

Purchased by Phoenix Thoroughbred, off to a fantastic start in the ownership business with the likes of Belmont (G1) runner-up Gronkowski and unbeaten Grade 1 star Dream Tree, Elvis is trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen. The March 28 foal posted a pair of three-furlong works at Keeneland in late spring, touring in :37.80 on May 9 and picking up the pace in :36.60 on May 15, but none since.

You might say that Elvis has racing experience already, after a fashion. He’s the first foal from 2014 Sixty Sails (G3) winner Flashy American, who ran several times while carrying him. Her best results while in foal were runner-up efforts in the 2015 Iowa Distaff and Locust Grove, in both cases as the defending champion.

Elvis was bred by Gainesway, Brian Graves, Kidder – Cole et al, but that’s a whole story in itself. Flashy American visited Orb when owned by Preston Stables. Upon retirement from the track, she was offered in foal at Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November and gaveled down for $360,000. The winning bidder, Laura Worm, reportedly did not come through with payment, and Taylor Made Sales Agency sent Flashy American through the ring again in February. Wheeling right back in Fasig-Tipton’s Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale, the Flashy Bull mare topped the auction by commanding $395,000 from Blue Sky Stable, a partnership put together by Gainesway’s Graves.

Thus Elvis was born as part of the Gainesway fold. Flashy American was bred back to Tapit and sold to Bridlewood Farm for $950,000 in her ensuing trip to Fasig-Tipton Kentucky in November 2016. The weanling Elvis went through the same sale, bringing $310,000 from Davant Latham, agent, with pinhook intent. Gainesway remained involved in the ownership and also consigned him as a Saratoga yearling.

The joint topper at $1 million, the Curlin-River’s Prayer colt, was purchased by Eric Fein, an owner most often associated with millionaire Musket Man and 2016 Champagne (G1) near-misser Syndergaard.