Stellar Sound

by Jessica Martini & Christina Bossinakis SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY - The record-smashing Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale steam rolled to its conclusion Tuesday night, setting highwater marks for every metric and culminating with a head-turning gross of $100,715,000. At the close of business, 160 yearlings had sold for an average of $629,469 and median of $450,000--numbers which dwarfed records set just last year when 154 yearlings grossed $82,160,000 for an average of $533,506 and a median of $425,000. It was the third straight year of across-the-board statistical records at the Saratoga sale....

Bob Baffert comes into Sunday's GII Zenyatta S. with a strong one-two punch in the form of Private Mission (Into Mischief) and the regally bred As Time Goes By (American Pharoah--Take Charge Lady). The winner of this event earns a spot in the upcoming GI Breeders' Cup Distaff at Del Mar. A debut winner at this oval last October, Private Mission checked in fourth in Del Mar's Desi Arnaz S. a month later and was subsequently shelved. Making her belated sophomore bow in a June 12 optional claimer here, the...

Having more than proven her aptitude going short with a devastating maiden-breaking victory over 6 1/2 furlongs last time out, Venetian Harbor (Munnings) stretches out to two turns for Saturday's GII Las Virgenes S. at Santa Anita. While the trip remains a bit of a question mark, the bay is strictly the one they'll all have to beat. The subject of considerable pre-debut chatter, Venetian Harbor was duly sent off at even-money for a five-furlong turf dash at Del Mar Nov. 15. She sent the chalk players home slightly disappointed...