Although fewer horses have sold at this stage of the auction than last year, the gross and average post gains. Through five sessions, 1,119 horses have grossed $228,414,200, including post-ring sales—a 2.4% increase over last year's $223,025,500.
Geldings Mercante and Kupuna turned the six-horse River City Stakes (G3T) into a bit of a match race Nov. 7 at Churchill Downs with Mercante edging to a half-length victory in the 1 1/8-mile turf race for 3-year-olds and up.