Greg Kilka

Vekoma-'Mentum' Continues At Fasig-Tipton Midlantic June Sale

Just days after he was represented by his eighth individual winner from his first crop, Spendthrift freshman sire Vekoma was responsible for a New Jersey-bred colt who was knocked down to Chris Gracie's Gracie Bloodstock for $150,000 to top Tuesday's Fasig-Tipton Midlantic June Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training in Timonium, Maryland. While last year's inaugural sale featured a $500,000 topper, four six-figure horses and turnover in excess of $2.5 million, Tuesday's trade was considerably more subdued. From a catalogue that was approximately 20% leaner than 12 months prior, a total...

[ Read More ]
After Romping in Pasco, Jersey-Bred Star Book 'em Danno on His Way to Saudi Derby

Bred in New Jersey, Book 'em Danno (Bucchero) is a 3-year-old, has been beaten only once in five starts, has won three stakes and is coming off a career-best effort when beating up on five inferior rivals in the Jan. 13 Pasco S. at Tampa Bay Downs. With most owners and trainers, to have a horse like that would mean they'd be hyper-focused on getting to the GI Kentucky Derby. But not trainer Derek Ryan or the partnership that races under the name of Atlantic Six Racing LLC. They're headed...

[ Read More ]
Book'em Danno Back To Winning Ways in Pasco

Book'em Danno (Bucchero) was a tough-luck loser of Aqueduct's one-mile Nashua S. when last seen 2 1/2 months ago, but atoned for that first career defeat in no uncertain terms with a thoroughly dominating victory in Saturday's Pasco S. at Tampa. Hovering around 2-5 and 1-2 for the bulk of the wagering, the tote showed 1-9 when the gates flew and the New Jersey-bred was content to take back off the pace of debut winner Banded Rocket (Malibu Moon) and El Principito (Accelerate), who matched motors through decent fractions of...

[ Read More ]
For $14,000, Jersey Breeders Bought a 'Dream Come True'

(Story courtesy of The Thoroughbred Breeders' Association of New Jersey) New Jersey-based breeder Greg Kilka knew the odds were not in his favor when he arrived at the 2020 Keeneland January Sale. A small-time owner and breeder with a modest budget, what chance did he have of coming home with a horse that could be life-changing? He was playing the lottery. "I didn't have unlimited resources," he said. What he did have was $14,000, what it cost to buy an unraced mare named Adorabella (Ghostzapper) in foal to Fast Anna...

[ Read More ]
Classic Empire Colt Tops Fasig Midlantic Opener

A $135,000 Classic Empire half-brother to a pair of recent stakes winners set the pace as the third hip through the ring during the first of two sessions of Fasig-Tipton's Midlantic Fall Yearlings Sale Monday and maintained that position throughout the afternoon. At the end of trade, a total of 91 head had changed hands for gross receipts of $2,212,500. The average was $24,313, down from $27,222 during last year's corresponding session; while the median also dipped, from $14,000 last year to $11,500. The buyback rate was 19.5%--not far off...

[ Read More ]
X

Never miss another story from the TDN

Click Here to sign up for a free subscription.