A sweet-natured colt nicknamed "Tigger" is among the horses buyers are talking about at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s March sale of 2-year-olds in training. The colt's real name is Notable Tiger, and he is from the first crop of his sire Tiger Ridge
. He is out of the What a Pleasure mare Notable Girl, who is a half-sister to stakes winners Notable Sword and Diablo's Notably. Pinhookers Randy Hartley and Dean De Renzo, who stand Tiger Ridge at their Florida farm, purchased the colt for $21,000 at last year's OBS August yearling sale.
"We're excited," Randy Hartley said. "All the big buyers have been vetting him. We know he'll be going to nice home, we just don't know where yet."
The colt worked an eighth of a mile on March 7 in :10 2/5 when there was a strong headwind and the track was heavy, according to consignors.
"He's very well-balanced, and he has big, deep shoulder that lies back nice and doesn't sit right on top of his front legs," Hartley said. "He has the looks, and he has the walk. He's the whole package."
In addition to looking good, the colt doesn't have a mean bone in his body.
"He's so sweet; he doesn't bite," Hartley said. "He's my baby. I give him kisses every morning."
The colt is Hip No. 317, and he sells on Tuesday (3/17).
Other horses attracting a lot of attention include the following:
Hip No. 191, a Chief Seattle
-- Helen's Pick colt, consigned by Paul Sharp, agent.
Hip No. 144, a Gilded Time
-- Excellence filly, consigned by Becky Thomas' Sequel Bloodstock, agent.
Hip No. 273, a Yankee Victor
--Mesmerized colt, consigned by Stephens Thoroughbreds, agent for Paragon Farm.
Hip No. 257, a Gold Case
-- Magical Thinking filly, consigned by Leprechaun Racing, agent.
Hip No. 25, a Boston Harbor -- Aristar filly, consigned by Lynne Martin-Boutte, agent.
Hip No. 300, a Tale of the Cat -- My Pride n Joy filly, consined by Hartley/De Renzo Thoroubhbreds, agent.
Hip No. 202, an Afternoon Deelites -- How 'bout Chris colt, consigned by M & H Training and Sales, agent.
Hip No. 76, a Greenwood Lake
--Champagne Sweep filly, consigned by Robert N. Scanlon, agent.