Northwest Stud made its presence felt at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July Sale with the purchase of a pair of good-looking colts, the latter having the distinction of commanding the highest price at the yearling session. Northwest's General Manager, Alfredo Lichoa, went to $550,000 to corral HIP #154, a colt by Cowboy Cal out of the Unaccounted For mare Refugee, consigned by Hidden Brook, agent. The Kentucky-bred colt is a three-quarter brother to Executiveprivilege, winner of the Gr. I Del Mar Debutante and Gr. I Chandelier at Santa Anita, and runner-up in the Gr. I Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. He's also a half-brother to Hoppertunity, winner of the Gr. II Rebel at Oaklawn Park and second in the Gr. I Santa Anita Derby.

"We went to more than we thought, "Lichoa told the Blood-Horse. "He has a very, very good pedigree. I think he is the best colt in the sale. There were four on our list, and after the vet work, only two passed, this one and one other. Our program is to buy horses for the selected 2-year-old sale. There are few horses that meet our criteria, and everyone wants them."

The "one other" Northwest purchase was HIP #190, a Harlan's Holiday colt out of the Vindication mare Invitation, consigned by Michael and Julia O'Quinn, agent. The Kentucky-bred, haltered for $400,000, comes from the family of Golden Ticket and Group I-placed Tomahawk.