A $380,000 Violence colt led the opening session of the Fasig-Tipton New York-bred preferred yearling sale, as, with a number of prominent buyers active, the auction opened with an improved average and median. Fasig-Tipton reported 53 yearlings sold Sunday evening in the first of two sale sessions for gross receipts of $5,999,000. In last year's opener, 64 yearlings grossed $6.9 million. Sunday evening's activity, conducted following the day's racing at Saratoga Race Course, represented less than a third of this year's cataloged hips. Monday's session, which begins at noon Eastern, on a dark day at the track, comprises more horses. This year's catalog attracted significant interest, growing considerably from last year's catalog, at 364 hips compared to 283. "There's not an open stall on the place," said Conrad Bandoroff of consignor Denali Stud. "It's the best place in the world to sell a New York-bred. You've got people coming over [from the races], lots of trainers shopping the sale." Sunday's average price was $113,189, ticking upward 5 percent from $107,812 in the 2022 opener. The median improved significantly, jumping 30 percent to $100,000 from $77,000. Last year's sale finished with an average of $107,314 and median of $74,000, both the second-highest in sale history. The opening session's buyback rate was 35 percent in what has been a selective marketplace, compared to 24 percent last year. The session-leading Violence colt was purchased by Baccari Bloodstock, as agent for a partnership that includes Toby Keith's Dream Walkin Farms. The recognizable name of that country star appeared on a buying roster that also included nationally prominent players such as the New York-based Mike Repole, in partnership with Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners; the prominent partnership of China Horse Club, WinStar Farm-affiliated Maverick Racing, and Siena Farm; owners such as Ken Ramsey, Klaravich Stables, Madaket Stables, and West Point Thoroughbreds; trainer Mike Maker; and bloodstock agents including Tom McCrocklin, Mike Ryan, and Steven Young. The depth is a sign of what has become an increasingly competitive marketplace as the strength of the New York-bred program increases. "We used to feel like we could really be strong at this sale, but a lot of people are taking notice of this program, especially with the purse increases," said Dean Reeves, who, with his wife, Patti, is a key player in the state as Reeves Thoroughbred Racing. The session-topper, bred in the Empire State by Fred W. Hertrich III, was consigned, as agent, by Hill 'n' Dale, which stands Violence in Kentucky. The colt is the first foal out of the winning Liam's Map mare Liam's Lookout, a half-sister to Grade 2 winner Itsaknockout, stakes winner Storm Power, and Grade 3-placed Hot Sean. Kentucky Oaks winner Believe You Can appears on the catalog page. The second-highest-priced horse in the opener was a $300,000 colt from the first crop of champion Improbable, purchased by China Horse Club, Maverick, and Siena. WinStar raced Improbable in partnership with China Horse Club and SF Racing and now stands him in Kentucky. The colt, consigned by Gainesway, as agent, is out of the unraced Curlin mare Perazzi, dam of three winners from as many starters. European highweight Chimes of Freedom, the dam of champion Aldebaran, Grade 1 winner Good Journey, and others, is Perazzi's great-granddam. For hip-by-hip results, click here.