monica keeneland pkg

A tapit filly took top dollar today at the first day of keeneland's september yearling sale.

Claiborne farm paid $1.25 million dollars for the filly by tapit out of grade one winner embellish the lace...and consigned by bluewater sales.

Last year, it was a $2.5 million dollar tapit colt leading opening day.

Usually, sheikhs and millionaires are flying in right now from across the world to take part in the famous yearling sale...a sale that produces derby winners and generates millions for lexington's economy.

...this year...it's more than just the global market impacting the sales at keeneland...it's also the global pandemic.

...but as abc 36's monica harkins reports...one seller says at least one thing... hasn't changed.

### c1 3 "nat pop of auctioner" the familiar sounds of bidding are back for keeneland's september yearling sale.

"samantha mcgreevy: it's kind of unprecedented times" but while the sounds are similar to years past the look has changed...including no public access...so i had to catch up with taylor made sales facilitator samantha mcgreevy on facetime.

"i think the overall feel so far has just been really safety.

So people are pretty confident, walking around the grounds" much like any other place in kentucky you'll see masks...and keeneland requires daily screenings.

Safety measures...mcgreevy says...aren't keeping people away.

"we're not seeing a trend in less people i know some people were unable to attend just because of travel restrictions, but the market is still pretty strong if you have a really good horse."

Million dollar horses....and with a price tag that big...a health check is a must.

Mcgreevy says from her perspective there are fewer veterinarians at keeneland...and more using virtual vetting...which was already used pre- pandemic.

"people did use them, but they're definitely increased this year."

As well as an increased online presence..keeneland cut capacity in places...like the sales ring to 40 percent.

"nat pop" and with fall racing already excluding fans...mcgreevy says she's focusing on the positive.

"if anything it's been really nice to see that people are still here people still want to buy some race horses."

Short nat in lexington, monica harkins,