NorCal Sale Preview
Fishing for Runners CATCH BARGAINS SUCH AS BIG FISH AT CTBA’S NORCAL SALE
B
George Krikorian bred Big Fish, a son of Mr. Big—Perched, by Into Mischief, and John Harris’ Harris Farms consigned the youngster to the 2019 Northern sale. Pete and Evelyn Parrella’s Legacy Ranch reeled in Big Fish for a $45,000 bid to top the sale. In 2020 Big Fish earned $119,018 and won the Del Mar Juvenile Turf Stakes. CTBA members voted him co-champion California-bred 2-year-old male. In his frst start of 2021, Big Fish added the California Cup Derby, bringing his total earnings to $229,018. Te 2019 edition of the sale produced other bargains as well. Big Duke cost just $1,200 out of the Barton Toroughbreds consignment. Trough June 20 the Calbred son of Phantom Wildcat—Time On My Hands, by Orientate, has already won fve races and earned $143,968 for buyer Derrick Hesselein and his partners. Te CTBA will conduct the 2021 sale Tuesday, Aug. 10 at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton beginning at noon. Te horses will be stabled in the permanent barns near the Amador Pavilion. In addition, a $500 travel allowance with a minimum purchase of $3,500 is being ofered to out-of-state trainers and trainers from Southern California with proof of travel who attend the sale. Harris Farms is a regular consignor to the sale and is ofering another large group this year. Two are by Mr. Big, the sire of Big 22
© BENOIT PHOTO
ig Fish did just what a sale topper is supposed to do. He has earned more than fve times his cost, won a stakes, and was voted a championship. He also highlights the value to be found at the California Toroughbred Breeders Association Northern California yearling sale.
2019 NorCal bargain buy Big Fish, shown winning California Cup Derby at Santa Anita, has already earned more than fve times his purchase price
Fish, and both are fllies. Te frst is out of the Indian Charlie mare Palisadesprincess. Te second, for Harris and Donald Valpredo, is out of the Unusual Heat mare Tahitian Lagoon. Other stallions represented in the Harris Farms’ consignment include Majestic Harbor, Prospect Park, Smiling Tiger, Tom’s Tribute, and Vronsky. Barton Toroughbreds is also bringing a large group to the sale. Several are by Dads Caps, Cat Burglar, and Misremembered, all stallions who stand at Barton. Te consignment includes one yearling by Anchor Down and another by Ransom the Moon. Terry Lovingier’s Lovacres Ranch has entered many by farm stallion Stay Tirsty, who dominated the sale in 2020. Stay Tirsty yearlings brought the top three prices, including $50,000 for the sale-topping colt. A proven sire whose runners
CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED ❙ July 2021 ❙ www.ctba.com
rank him high on California sire lists, Stay Tirsty moved to Lovacres in 2018, and his frst California foals are 2-year-olds. Other yearlings in the sale for Lovacres are by Govenor Charlie, Grace Upon Grace, and Smokem. All three of those stallions also stand at Lovacres. Linda Madsen’s Milky Way Farm will bring a variety of oferings by stallions that stand at the farm. Several are by Smart Bid. Other Milky Way sires represented include Circumference, Dosifcado, Passion for Gold, and Winning Cause. Tough California Chrome and Tiznow do not stand in California, they are the two all-time leading California-bred runners. Each will be represented by a yearling in the Northern sale. Shane Easterbrook’s Easterbrook Livestock Management has the California Chrome, a colt out of the Seattle Bound
