by David Carr, the U.S. Trotting Association

Lexington, KY — The Lexington Selected Yearling Sale’s third session youngsters turned in a sterling performance on Thursday (Oct. 3), as their sale results crushed the numbers from the same session in 2012.

The average sale price of $34,051 for the 157 sold was a gain of 31 percent, gross sales rose more than 33 percent and the number of $100,000 yearlings jumped from one to six. This remarkably strong showing has helped push the average price of $54,148 for 420 yearlings through three sessions to a 10 percent advantage over the first three days a year ago.

The sale topper Thursday at $105,000 was pacing colt Helios Lindy, by American Ideal out of Sunshine Sister. Jeff Gillis signed as agent for Mac Nichol for this colt in the Preferred Equine Marketing consignment.

Five yearlings sold for an even $100,000. The first of these was the colt Lush Art, by Art Major out of Lush Limbaugh, a $200,000-winning three-quarter sister to Camtastic and the producer of a pair of $200,000-plus winners. This includes the current 3-year-old Word Power, who boasts a 1:49.4 record. Ray Remmen, trainer of Word Power, signed for this Dunroven Stud-bred colt.

The next yearling to reach $100,000 was Southwind Wildfire, a colt by Muscle Hill out of Wafs. Bjorn Noren cast the winning bid on behalf of Courant AB for this colt that was consigned by Preferred Equine Marketing as agent for Southwind Farms.

The very next horse in the ring sold for that same price. This was the Western Ideal colt Artspeak, out of the Artsplace mare The Art Museum, a member of the same family as Southwind Lynx ($1,763,389) and Ultra Jet ($756,571). John Fodera signed as agent for this youngster from the Brittany Farms consignment.

Courant AB of Sweden returned to $100,000 territory, this time in pursuit of a pacer. Nancy Takter Johansson signed the slip for Courant AB in acquiring the Art Major colt Think Again, out of $900,000 winner Remember When, closely related to millionaires Mr Feelgood, Western ideal, and Leah Almahurst. Brittany Farms bred Think Again.

The final $100,000 yearling for the night went to Ken Jacobs’ K J Stables LLC, as he selected the Bettor’s Delight colt Eagle Feather. Dam Town Feather has produced a pair of full siblings, the filly Ramalama and colt Duke Did It, each with earnings over $200,000, as well as millionaire half brother Razzle Dazzle. Preferred Equine Marketing consigned the colt for Freedom Hill Farms.