The positive trend in North America’s yearling market continued during the second and final session of the Fasig-Tipton Maryland sale on Wednesday.

A Harlan’s Holiday – Christmas Strike (Smart Strike) colt commanded highest price of $180,000 to the bid of Texan owner Lawrence Karp.  The colt’s dam is a half sister to Christmas Kid (Lemon Drop Kid), a G1 winner of the Ashland Stakes and Davona Dale Hcp in 2007.

The Day 2 figures helped the average increase 16% to $18,523 and the clearance rate improved four points to 74%.  A Hard Spun colt had topped Day 1 at $200,000.  

The sale’s leading buyer was Frank Stronach’s Adena Springs with 14 horses purchased for $557,000.  The statistics were even more impressive considering Jay Em Ess Stable didn’t participate.  The Californian based Stable was the biggest spender last year paying $572,000 for four yearlings.

According to Fasig-Tipton president Boyd Browning, the excitement surrounding Aqueduct’s new casino that is scheduled to open later this year helped boost the popularity of some yearlings.

“We’re pleased with the results,” Browning said.  “The level of competition and what buyers are willing to pay for New York-bred horses was higher than in recent years.”