Deju Vu for de Meric

Two years ago at this sale, a de Meric Sales-consigned Street Boss colt was hammered down for $175,000 to Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. Hip 315 went on to be named Capo Bastone, earned “TDN Rising Star” status for an impressive late-charging debut tally that summer at Del Mar, finished third in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile that season, and belied 28-1 odds to upend the prestigious GI King’s Bishop S. for Eclipse and trainer Todd Pletcher this August. This time around, another son of the young Darley stallion offered by de Meric brought the first major fireworks of the day, with Bernie Schiappa–co-owner of Saturday’s ultra-impressive GI Santa Anita H. winner Game On Dude (Awesome Again)–flanked by trainer Bob Baffert and Hill ‘n’ Dale’s John Sikura coming out on top for Hip 51 at $700,000. Schiappa signed the ticket for Michael Lund Petersen, who he said was a new owner. 

Of the appeal of the chestnut, Schiappa said, “He looked like a real racehorse.” Baffert said that the lofty price tag was expected. “There’s big demand for a really good horse,” noted the Hall of Famer. 

Bred in Kentucky by Glencrest Farm, Hip 51 was scooped up for $47,000 as a Keeneland November weanling. He was re-sold the following season at Keeneland September, this time going to Hubert Guy and Old Gables for $105,000. Facing a strong headwind on Friday’s first day of breezes, the Mar. 24 foal earned the quarter-mile bullet with a :21 flat clocking. 

“He’d been scoped 15 times before the sale, and he’d just shown like a champ from the day he breezed right up until the minute he walked into the ring,” said Nick de Meric. “You never dare hope for that kind of return, but on the other hand, if ever a horse could do that, he was the one.” When asked to comment on the similarities between Capo Bastone and this year’s Street Boss colt, de Meric stated: “They were kind of different types–obviously, both Street Bosses and they both had plenty of talent. This guy, one of the things that impresses us so much with him, is that he’s got such a cool demeanor about him that he’s easy on himself. ‘Capo’ was a bit more on-the-muscle, a more hyper kind of colt. Physically, they have lots in common, but mentally, I think this colt has a bit more savoir faire about him.”