The action had barely kicked off Tuesday for the July Sale of Selected Yearlings when Hip 1, a colt by freshman sire Maxfield entered the ring. While not usually considered advantageous to be first out of the box, the son of Abundant Flurry (Midshipman) overcame those lingering biases when selling for $220,000 to Resolute Bloodstock LLC.

Consigned by Legacy Bloodstock, the dark bay colt represented a career-best pinhooking score for Ocala-based horseman Jorge Gonzalez.

“That colt looked like a 2-year-old–he was huge,” said Resolute’s John Stewart. “He’s a great physical, looks fantastic and he was highly rated in our system. We’re really excited about him.”

Making this week even more special, Gonzalez also became a first-time father with a son this past Saturday, capping what he termed a ‘rollercoaster’ week. “It’s been a very special week,” he enthused. Of Tuesday’s success, he added, “I didn’t have much money and I knew I would have to work with whatever issues the horse had.”

Bred by Lothenbach Stables and offered as part of the operation’s complete dispersal at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale in February, the Feb. 6 foal was purchased for a mere $13,000 at that venue. Out of a half-sister to Grade III winner Cigar Street (Street Sense), the yearling hails from the family of two-time Horse of the Year Cigar.

“This colt was pretty correct, and I just liked the way he was moving,” recalled Gonzalez. “But I found myself going against a lot of people in buying this horse [in February]. As an individual, the horse was very nice, but the vetting wasn’t great so I decided to take my chance, according to my pocket.”

A Florida resident for over two decades, Gonzalez has served much of that time as an exercise rider at several high-profile Ocala training operations, including Crupi’s New Castle Farm and Kinsman Farm. Gonzalez, who rents a few stalls at a facility in Ocala, currently has five horses making up his equine investment portfolio.

“Right now, I am doing a little more pinhooking with yearlings,” he explained. “But I also have pinhooked 2-year-olds in training.” Offering a single yearling at this year’s July Sale, Gonzalez confirmed that there will be a few more at this venue in October and at OBS this summer.

Commenting on the allure of the colt’s sire Maxfield, Gonzalez explained, “I liked [the sire] because he’s a big and powerful horse. And people like the new sires.” When asked to sum up Tuesday’s profitable afternoon, Gonzalez said, “This is all such a joy. I really love what I do. Things just took off recently and I am fortunate enough to sell the horse today. It’s nice to be rewarded for taking the chance.”

– www.thoroughbreddailynews.com