Wish You Well

There will, rightly, be much attention paid to the Niarchos draft at the Goffs November Sale as the family operation undergoes restructuring, but there is one boutique dispersal which also deserves proper perusal. Manfred and Edith Hellwig of German-based Gestut Hony-Hof bring 11 mares and nine foals to market though the Castlebridge Consignment, many of whom offer access to one of the best German families of recent decades. In 2000, the Hellwigs bought from Gestut Karlshof a yearling filly by Monsun (Ger), a full-sister to that year's G1 Deutsches Derby...

Those who tried to beat traffic by leaving Churchill Downs after the Derby but before the last race Saturday missed a 'TDN Rising Star', while Belmont had an 11-length victor in the slop a few hours prior. Each may have debuted late, but could make some noise while the season progresses as additional members of this year's outstanding 3-year-old crop. THURSDAY'S INSIGHTS: Godolphin Debuts Well-Bred Tapit Colt at Belmont 6th-Belmont, $90,000, Msw, 5-5, 3yo/up, 7f, 1:23.38, fast, 1 1/2 lengths. A former claimer beat a slew of well-regarded prospects...no, not...

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency 12th-CD, $127K, Alw/OC, 3yo, f, 6 1/2f, 6:25 p.m. ET Just a mid-May foal, WISH YOU WELL (American Freedom) was purchased by Redwings for $160K at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton Selected Yearlings Showcase and improved into a $550K Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream juvenile after working a furlong in :10 flat (see below). The most expensive of her sire's 39 first-crop 2-year-olds reported as sold last year, Wish You Well made a giant impression in her career debut at Gulfstream Apr. 2, defeating the well-meant Inventing (Union Rags) by...

An abundance of well-bred runners went to post this week with some very satisfying visits to the winner's circle. A Grade I winner kickstarted her 2022 campaign with a win before facing tougher company, while a number of first-time starters ran with promise, perhaps foreshadowing bigger things down the road. Thursday's Insights: Mandy Pope Starts Pair at Oaklawn 4th-Oaklawn, $90,000, Msw, 3-31, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 1/16m, 1:44.99, gd, head. Regally bred SALUTE THE FLAG (f, 4, Curlin--Private Ensign {GSP, $124,384}, by A.P. Indy) gamely wore down a loose-in-the-stretch late leader...