Some of Fasig-Tipton Midlantic's most active participants discussed the state of the auction market with managing editor Lucy Acton. Said Fasig-Tipton Midlantic executive vice president Mason Grasty: "In general, the auction market is still strong, and the market in this region is strong. However, the gap between the top and bottom is widening everywhere." Per Laurel Park-based trainer Rodney Jenkins: "The top of the market is still really good. The middle of the market is bad at the moment -- there are a lot of horses who are worth money and are not being bought."
Xtra Heat, a winner of nine stakes through February of her 3-year-old season, appeared on the cover. She was a $5,000 purchase by trainer and co-owner John Salzman Jr. at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May 2-year-old sale the year before, Future Hall of Famer Xtra Heat took the 2001 Eclipse Award as champion 3-year-old filly and won 26 of 35 starts over four seasons, earning $2,389,635.
Maryland had another up-and-coming apprentice. Jeremy Rose, 21, started riding at Laurel Park Feb. 17, and by March 12 compiled 102 starts, 23 wins, 21 seconds and seven thirds, for an in-the-money ratio of 50 percent.
Rose grew up in Bellefonte, Pa., and started with Pennsylvania-based trainer Mike Petro. Rose launched his riding career at Delaware Park in the fall, and chose to wait a few months to begin his race-riding career in full force. "I took my time getting into it," said Rose, whose main supporter was trainer Tim Ritchey.
Two Virginia-bred mares were the most expensive Mid-Atlantic-breds sold in 2000. Irish stakes winner Claxton's Slew, bred by Norman Hicks, sold at age 16 for $3.3 million to John Magnier at the Keeneland January sale while in foal to Storm Cat. The Seattle Slew mare was the dam of two graded stakes winners, including champion mare Escena.
Bright Tiara, a winning daughter of Chief's Crown bred by Bert and Diana Firestone, was purchased by John Ferguson Bloodstock for $3 million at Keeneland November while in foal to A.P. Indy.
Penn National attracted "a star?" Zippy Chippy, who possessed the all-time losingest record for a Thoroughbred in North America, extended his skein to 0-for-89 by finishing last in a maiden special weight in February. The 10-year-old gelding trained by Felix Monserrate broke last and trailed the field, but generated lots of media copy. The Associated Press put a photograph of Zippy Chippy's latest loss on the wire within minutes after the race was complete.
Zippy Chippy made 100 starts through September 2004 and never won. Three of his races were at Penn National. Retired to Old Friends in New York, he lived to be 31. His popularity led to him being featured in two books: The Legend of Zippy Chippy: Life Lessons from Horse Racing's Most Lovable Loser and the 2020 children's picture book The True Story of Zippy Chippy: The Little Horse That Couldn't.
