Blood-Horse

Bobby Flay is no stranger to succeeding at The Saratoga Sale, where he sold a $2 million full sister to graded stakes winner First Captain Aug. 9 to West Point Thoroughbreds, Woodford Racing, and 3C Stable.

The colt (Hip 202) became the highest-priced yearling during the two-day The Saratoga Sale and is the second seven-figure Gun Runner yearling bought by Coolmore's M.V. Magnier, who acquired this colt with Peter Brant.

Coolmore's M.V. Magnier went to $1.4 million to land a chestnut Gun Runner colt (Hip 186) out of the Giant's Causeway daughter Flag Day. The mare, though unraced, hails from the family of multiple grade 1 winner Diversify.

Lane's End sold the $1.25 million colt out of the winning Union Rags mare Dothraki Sea, a half sister to grade 1 winner Dixie Chatter and to grade 3 winner Rumor. The colt was the seventh seven-figure yearling to sell on Day Two of The Saratoga Sale.

Gainesway sold the Into Mischief filly (Hip 166) out of graded stakes winner Curlin's Approval for $1 million to Charlotte Weber's Live Oak Plantation. Bridlewood Farm and trainer Happy Alter bred the filly. Alter bred and raced Curlin's Approval.

Taylor Made Sales Agency sold a bay Curlin filly (Hip 151) for $1.05 million to Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Whitehorse Stables. The filly is out of multiple grade 1-placed winner Cassies Dreamer.

Gainesway sold the filly out of grade 1 winner Paola Queen to Kohki Maeda. The filly was bred in Kentucky by Don Alberto, making her the breeder's second yearling to sell for more than a million dollars Aug. 9.

A filly (Hip 126) bred by celebrity chef Bobby Flay is out of grade 3 winner America. She became the first horse at the sale to reach the $2 million mark. She was followed by a $1.75 million Curlin colt (Hip 127) out of grade 1 winner Angela Renee.

Seven hips into Day Two of The Saratoga Sale Aug. 9, the Medaglia d'Oro colt out of grade 3 stakes winner Walk Close became the fifth seven-figure yearling at Fasig-Tipton's select yearling sale in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

The undefeated Flightline remains in the top spot for the seventh consecutive week with 332 votes. Flightline is scheduled to start next in the Sept. 3 TVG Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar.

On Aug. 5, the FTBOA advised the FTHA that it will immediately begin making voluntary monthly contributions to help the FTHA offset a portion of its payments to the new federal Authority as it implements HISA at Gulfstream Park.

Two Eagles, the 6-year-old son of Morning Line, finished first in a June 21 claiming race at Thistledown and tested positive for the metabolite nikethamide.

The Arlington Million (G1T) moves to Louisville, Ky., with a different look and feel for the race that ushered in seven-figure purses to Thoroughbred racing.

The effect of the cost-of-living crisis and affordability checks on the gambling sector should become clearer this week when three of the giants of the industry unveil their financial results for the first six months of the year.

Keeneland has cataloged 4,147 horses for the 79th annual Keeneland September Yearling Sale, the world's largest and most significant marketplace for Thoroughbred racing prospects.

Joe Osborne, Godolphin Ireland's managing director, indicated Aug. 9 there are no existing plans for horses to be sent to Irish-based trainers, although decisions around where horses are trained are discussed on an annual basis.

The National Turf Writers and Broadcasters has written a letter to the California Horse Racing Board opposing its recently announced plan to require media members to be licensed in order to enter stable areas.

Undefeated Flightline closed as the favorite following the completion of betting Aug. 7 in Pool #1 of the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic Future Wager.

A rundown of television, livestreaming, and radio coverage for the week as compiled by America's Best Racing.

The Saratoga Sale started with a bang Aug. 8 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., where Fasig-Tipton's Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion was filled with excitement, with a packed house inside and in the back ring.