Fasig-Tipton, Maximum Security, and more: The week in social media

Hockey Puck. Photo By Barbara Weidl /EQUI-PHOTO.

The Fasig-Tipton Midlantic December Mixed and Horses of Racing Age Sale took place this week, the final stakes event of the year for Parx Racing ended in style, and the results of Saturday’s Cigar Mile (G1) have the racing world buzzing.

Here is the 411 on what racing fans in the Mid-Atlantic region have been talking about on social media this week:

Big figs at Fasig-Tipton Mixed

The Fasig-Tipton Midlantic December Mix and Horses of Racing Age Sale took place on Tuesday, December 10 in Timonium, MD. An array of broodmares, weanlings, yearlings, and horses of racing age passed through the ring on a day that saw a total of 249 horses find new homes. The sale generated $4,383,700 in gross sales, which showed a 129% increase compared to the total of $1,911,000 in 2018. The average also rose to $17,605, compared to the more modest average of $9,508 the year before. The median grew as well, going from $5,000 in 2018 to $8,000 this past Tuesday.

The sale was highlighted by Maryland-bred stakes winner and eventual sales-topper, Laddie Liam, who was offered by Northview Stallion Station (David Wade), who served as the agent for Joseph Besecker. Marked as Hip 302, the two-year-old son of Golden Lad commanded a record-setting price of $450,000, with the winning bid to DJ Stable. Prior to the sale, Laddie Liam was seen romping by 4 ½ lengths in the Maryland Juvenile Futurity at Laurel Park. To date, Laddie Liam has three wins from five starts under his belt, and earnings of $128,556.

The top broodmare in the sale came as Hip 1, a four-year-old daughter of Broken Vow named, Altar Issues. Altar Issues is currently pregnant with her second foal, who is by the multiple Grade 1 winning stallion, Practical Joke. Consigned by Northview Stallion Station (David Wade) for the Dispersal of Joseph Besecker, Altar Issues brought a final price of $105,000, with the winning bid going to Three Diamonds Farm.

Panthera Onca (Hip 328), topped the racing and/or broodmare prospects in the sale, commanding a final price of $175,000. The two-year-old daughter of Super Saver has a current record of 1-1-0 from three starts and has banked a total of $27,600. Consigned by Northview Stallion Station (David Wade) for the Dispersal of Joseph Besecker, Panthera Onca was purchased by Lanes End Bloodstock.

The contingent of weanlings was led by Hip 151, a colt by champion sprinter Runhappy out of the mare Grey Traffic, who has produced seven winners so far, including stakes winners Ullapool and John Barleycorn. Consigned and bred by Takaro Farm, the West Virginia-bred colt sold for the solid price of $60,000 to Jeff Runco, agent for David Raim.

Last but not least, the yearlings were topped by Hip 221, a Jump Start filly out of Poplar Springs. Consigned by Crane Thoroughbred Services, agent for the Dispersal of Joseph Besecker, the Pennsylvania-bred filly, named Thornbird, sold to Mo Thoroughbreds for a total of $57,000.

He shoots! He scores!

The $100,000 Pennsylvania Nursery Stakes was run on December 7 and was the last stakes event of the year for Parx Racing. The seven-furlong dash did not disappoint, as victory came in the form of an underdog. After Newstome and Golden Candy, the first and second choices in the race, gave in to fatigue and faded, it was longshot Hockey Puck who took center stage.

With a powerful rally, Hockey Puck and jockey Tyler Conner stormed from behind to sweep to victory by a half-length, stopping the clock in a final time of 1:25.44 on the fast-main track. It was the second win in five starts for the Erin McClellan trainee and boosted his earnings to a total of $119,430. The Pennsylvania-bred paid a handsome $29.40 to those who backed him with a $2 win bet.

Bred and owned by Wagon Wheel Farm, Hockey Puck is by Well Spelled, out of the Cat’s Career mare, Katydid’s Career.

Congratulations Hockey Puck, #PASired #PABred by Well Spelled, standing at Godstone Farm in Littlestown PA https://t.co/O0V5ik6hNI

— PA Bred (@PA_PHBA) December 7, 2019

Maximum Security back with a vengeance 

The Grade 1, $750,000 Cigar Mile took place at Aqueduct over the weekend. The race showcased the meeting of two formidable rivals, as multiple graded stakes winner Maximum Security and Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Spun to Run hooked up in a showdown that did not disappoint.

As soon as the starting gates opened in the Cigar Mile, Maximum Security gunned to the front with Spun to Run hot on his trail. The duo slugged it out on the front end while the rest of the stampede unfolded behind. Maximum Security led from the jump, and after zipping through a half-mile in :46.17 seconds, Spun to Run was left wanting while Maximum Security continued to roll.

Maximum Security and jockey Luis Saez blazed over the finish line by 3 ½ lengths, stopping the clock in 1:36.46. Spun to Run held on for second, while longshot True Timber picked up the pieces in third.

Bred and owned by Gary and Mary West, Maximum Security is trained by Jason Servis. To date, Maximum Security has visited the winner’s circle seven times in nine starts and has banked earnings of $1,791,100.

“He gave me everything and it showed. He was amazing.” @luissaezpty https://t.co/wi26gI0OMj

— NYRA (@TheNYRA) December 8, 2019

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