West Saratoga (Exaggerator), a Grade III winner at two in 2023 and placed in a pair of graded stakes this season, is the marquee name among 49 horses catalogued for the Inglis Digital USA December Sale. Horses will sell during the online auction on Wednesday, Dec. 4 beginning at 2 p.m. ET, with subsequent listings closing in three-minute intervals.
Trained by Larry Demeritte, the gray colt won the GIII Iroquois Stakes in his penultimate juvenile appearance last year and was second to Book'em Danno (Bucchero) in this year's Pasco Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs ahead of a sound third in the GIII Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby. Runner-up to Endlessly (Oscar Performance) in the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks in a lone try over a synthetic surface, West Saratoga earned enough points to take part in the GI Kentucky Derby.
“I've always felt great about this horse–he has all the attributes of a top competitor,” said Demeritte of West Saratoga, who holds an entry for the G1 Saudi Cup in February. “He's laid back but gives his all when asked, is straightforward, sound, and never misses a meal. He's beaten some of the best 3-year-olds in the country and I've always geared him toward a strong 4-year-old campaign.
“Even after tough races like the Kentucky Derby, he bounced back perfectly, which is why I believe he'll be one of the top 4-year-olds in the country,” Demeritte continued. “Unfortunately, due to my health, I have to let him go, but I'm confident he'll bring success and joy to his next connections.”
Among broodmare offerings in the catalogue is Nikki's Choice, a 16-year-old winning daughter of Forestry and offered by Dr. Naoya and Marie Yoshida's Winchester Farm in foal to Uncle Mo. The resulting produce will be bred on the same cross as champion and GI Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist. Uncle Mo foals out of the mare have sold at public auction for $1.1 million and $600,000, and her current weanling is another colt by Uncle Mo.
Other mares include Shenandoah Cat (Commissioner) carrying her first foal by Vekoma and the G2 Oaks d'Italia third Made In Italy (Ire) (Mukhadram {GB}) in foal to Olympiad. The 7-year-old is offered by Larry and Karen Doyle's KatieRich Farms.
“As we wrap up a successful year, our December Digital Sale offers an exceptional opportunity for buyers to acquire top-quality horses,” said Liza Hendriks, CEO of Inglis Digital USA. “We're thrilled to feature standout offerings like West Saratoga, a Grade III-winning colt, alongside an impressive selection of broodmares in foal to leading stallions Uncle Mo, Vekoma, and Olympiad.”
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