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This is a continuation of my previous article on my top choices from the two year old sale at Keeneland. I consider these five candidates to be my “Honorable Mentions”. They are definitely worthy of acknowledgment, and as with my Top Ten picks, I will also keep them on my radar to see how they develop.

The auction will be held tomorrow evening, starting at four-thirty eastern time in the beautiful Keeneland auction ring that is located directly behind the grandstand. I will post a follow-up blog after the sale with a recap of the night’s events.

HIP 130: By Tapit, and out of Diamonds Sparkle, by Skip Away, it is clear this colt was bred for the classic distance. Tapit was a major factor on the Derby Trail in 2004, but did not take a liking to the dirt surface. Since, he has been flourishing as a sire, standing at Gainsway, siring big winners including Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner, Stardom Bound. Skip Away, who died last year, won the Breeders' Cup Classic in 1997, and his foals went on to run well. Hip one hundred thirty worked one eighth of a mile in :10.4. He was physically imposing, but seemed rank coming down the stretch. He lifted his front legs well, although it appeared that he runs a little turned-out with his back legs.

HIP 141: I was interested in seeing this horse work at the under tack show, having Fit To Fight as a broodmare sire. His line is something that I do not see much, and knowing he was an important horse back in the 1980’s, I take a liking to his descendants. This colt is by Empire Maker, who defeated Funny Cide in his quest for the Triple Crown, in the final leg at the Belmont Stakes. Empire Maker has been a proven sire, with offspring including 2009 Kentucky Derby second-placer, Pioneerof The Nile. Hip one hundred forty-one had one of the slower times of the day, working a quarter mile in :22.1. I was very impressed by his running style. He carried his head correctly, is stride was efficient, and powerful, and handled both turns well.

HIP 145: Another colt by Hard Spun, but out of Glimmering (IRE), by international champion sire, Sadler’s Wells. This breeding is tied for the best in this ten horse group. Believing that American racing needs new, European blood, I enjoyed seeing the dam’s pedigree, and that the breeders did not mate her to a sprinter, resulting in yet another average distance horse. Hip one hundred forty-five ran one eighth of a mile in a quick :10.1. He ran solidly, there was nothing awkward about his stride, and as he went around the turn, I could see what a powerful back end he had.

HIP 164: This horse is a result of high quality breeding. Distance, distance, distance. He is by Dynaformer, famous for siring the late Barbaro, and other horses who can run distance, both on dirt and turf. Hip one hundred sixty-four is out of Kanerrerr, who is by Danzig, who stands among the all-time greats as a sire. The bay colt worked one eighth of a mile in :10.3. He carried his head high, and had a bit of an up and down stride more than a forward motion gait.

HIP 168: She has a solid pedigree, being by Giant’s Causeway, and out of Kreisleriana, by Seeking the Gold. This chestnut filly with a blaze and hip one forty-five share the title for being the best bred horses in this bunch. For distance, she is a quality horse. Giant’s Causeway was a popular horse when racing in Europe, and placed in the Breeders’ Cup Classic to Tiznow. Seeking the Gold won the 1991 Kentucky Derby, and finished a neck behind Hansel in the Belmont. She worked a quarter mile in :22.1. I would love to see her carry her head a little bit lower, and just a little more size to her stride. A very promising filly here.