Claiborne hopes Orb filly proves the standout in Book 2

A lot can happen in a yearling's pedigree in the months that pass between the day a breeder nominates a horse to a sale and when the sale occurs.

In the case of 2017 foals entered in the marathon Keeneland September Yearling Sale, those decisions also include identifying what session a horse should be entered, based on its pedigree and likely buyer base.

A Claiborne Farm filly entered in Saturday's session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale has two major updates that would have qualified her for Book 1, the sale's first four sessions that offer well-conformed, physical athletes with more sire power and stronger female families than will be present in later books.

Consigned as Hip 1319, the filly is by Claiborne stallion Orb, who since the publication of the sale catalogue was represented by his first Grade 1 winner when Sippican Harbor caused an upset in the Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga.

The Orb filly is out of the stakes-winning Horse Chestnut mare Charming N Lovable, whose four-year-old filly Fault, by Claiborne stallion Blame, won the Grade 1 Santa Margarita Stakes in March. Fault's Grade 1 added to her wins in the Grade 2 Buena Vista Stakes on turf, Grade 3 Adoration Stakes on dirt and Grade 3 Pucker Up Stakes on turf. Raced by Agave Racing Stable and Little Red Feather Racing, Fault has won or placed in 11 of 16 starts and earned $618,795.

"So those are pretty big updates in both the sire and dam," Claiborne's Walker Hancock said of the improvements within the Orb filly's family. "We believe she will be a standout in Book 2. She is athletic and racy looking."

Charming N Lovable, purchased by Claiborne at the 2007 Keeneland November Breeding-Stock Sale for $500,000, is also the dam of the hard-knocking, Grade 3-placed Betweenhereandcool (by Unbridled's Song), who has earned more than $302,000, and stakes-placed Congenial (Pulpit), who has won seven times and earned $254,610.

The Orb filly's second dam, stakes-placed St Lucinda, has also produced the American Derby winner Mananan McLir (Royal Academy) and stakes winner Big Sur (Malibu Moon).

Considering the blockbuster first four days of the auction, Hancock is among consignors who believe the early results will lead to good things for the Book 2 Sale on Saturday and Sunday.

In Book 1, Claiborne sold ten yearlings, from 14 offered, for gross receipts of $3.685 million, including a War Front filly (Hip 267) out of Orate that sold to Shadwell Estate Company for $950,000.

"It was very strong, and hopefully it will trickle down to Book 2," Hancock said. "The buyers will be here for all books, and if you have a good horse, it will sell well. Good horses sell well anywhere."

More from the Keeneland September Yearling Sale

Stonestreet's Barbara Banke goes to $1.025m for Ghostzapper filly

French connection sets Runnymede Farm on the path to September success

Sierra Farm's $1.4m Pharoah colt reigns supreme during third session