Buyers eagerly sorted through 172 yearlings at the opening of the two-day Blooded Horse Summer Sale. Most were Indiana, Ohio, or Pennsylvania breds backed with slots-enhanced racing programs.

Ohio breds were the most popular, as three harness racinos are slated to be up and running within the next 12 months.

A son of the Andover Hall stallion Neely Dunn out of an Italian mare topped the yearlings at $33,000. Consigned by Bateson & Shafer, Dunn Right In Ohio was purchased by Watermark Farm LLC of Massachusetts who also signed the ticket on a Feelin Friskie filly for $14,000. Jim Arledge Jr. found the Ohio-bred he wanted in the Pine Valley colt Fire Valley for $17,000.

Upfront Racing LLC brought a strong consignment of horses that were racing competitively in New York and at Scioto Downs. The four-year-old Open pacing mare Sea Cruise Hanover topped the sale at $42,000. The daughter of Dragon Again was purchased by Chris Marino (acting as agent) who also signed the ticket for $210,000-winning pacing mare Miss Sand Creek at $38,000, Open Pacing gelding Upfront Ellijay Ed at $36,000, and Open trotter Upfrontstrikesgold for $32,000. Rene Allard picked off conditioned pacer UFDragons Rocket for $25,000 and the three-year-old American Ideal gelding Up Front Pete VK for $17,000.

The 66th annual Fall Blooded Horse Sale is scheduled for November 18 - 21. Black Type yearlings will be featured along with large numbers of proven two and three-year-olds, green prospects, raceway stock, broodmares, weanlings, and stallions. Visit bloodedhorse.com for more information and complete sale results.

(Blooded Horse Sales)