JEFF BONDE HIP 88

Bonde Finds Value in $175,000 American Pharoah Colt

Juvenile was consigned as Hip 88 by Checkmate Thoroughbreds.

When two fillies by American Pharoah  were withdrawn from the inaugural Fasig-Tipton Santa Anita 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, the desire to own the remaining progeny of the Triple Crown hero became a priority for Thoroughbred trainer Jeff Bonde.

When the hammer came down on Hip 88, the lone colt by American Pharoah cataloged to the June 5 sale, Bonde's checkbook was only $175,000 lighter. For a sire whose progeny have averaged close to $400,000 at auction since they began selling as weanlings in 2017, Bonde's six-figure buy was the epitome of value.

Safe Bet
"We thought he was a good value with the market the way it was today," said Bonde, who purchased the colt from the consignment of Checkmate Thoroughbreds, agent for Blue Chip Thoroughbreds.

Bred in Kentucky by China Horse Club, Hip 88 is the first foal out of the War Front  mare Loudly, a half sister to stakes winner Marina de Chavon and The Lady's Groom. The colt's third dam, Hilarious Astro, produced multiple graded stakes winner Punch Line.

During the June 3 under tack show, the colt shared the third-fastest work time of :10 3/5 for an eighth-mile.

"He breezed very smooth and had a great gallop out," Bonde said. "He vetted well and had a good scope. He'll be headed to Del Mar, no question."

Hip 88 was one of two purchases made by Bonde Wednesday afternoon, the other being Hip 62, a Red Rocks colt out of the Storm Cat mare Great Design. Bred in Kentucky by Delaverne Hill Farm, the colt named Bedrock was consigned by TIP Thoroughbred Investment Possibilities and purchased by Bonde for $60,000.

"I walked in there trying to take as many as I could get my hands on, but it was a little tougher today," Bonde said. "I thought the market was very strong on certain horses, and I thought it was a very good idea having it at Santa Anita. It was very well attended during the paddock party last night and equally well attended today at the sale."