Using AI to model Keeneland yearling sales: Book 2 picks

For the 2025 Keeneland September yearling sale, an artificial-intelligence model developed by Horse Racing Nation projects 10 yearlings as the highest-priced lots in book 2 and selects the best 10 picks for future racing performance from book 2 from the total of 775 yearlings in the second book. 

The HRN AI model uses sales data spanning 26 years and analyzes over 117,000 sales graduates and over 500,000 non-sale horses to predict auction prices and future racing performance. The machine learning system evaluates pedigree patterns, market trends, genetic crosses and family performance indicators to generate forecasts for yearlings before they enter training.

Top sales predictions for Book 2

The HRN AI model projects 10 yearlings as the highest-priced lots in Book 2, led by an Into Mischief colt with a predicted sale price exceeding $1.4 million. These prospects represent bloodline combinations that have proven successful at the sales ring and on the racetrack.

Price predictions become more challenging as the market varies significantly based on individual buyer preferences and current market conditions. But the model's analysis provides valuable insights into which yearlings possess the pedigree components that historically drive higher sale prices.

Hip 760 leads with Into Mischief colt

Hip 760, an Into Mischief colt from his 15th crop, tops the price predictions with a forecasted sale price of $1,461,835. This colt is out of I'll Take Charge, who earned $82,000 during her racing career and has produced Grade 2 winner Charge It, who has earned $887,000.

The genetic cross between Into Mischief and Indian Charlie bloodlines shows 44 winners from 211 starters for a 21% win rate, producing three graded-stakes winners. I'll Take Charge has produced two foals of racing age, with one becoming a winner.

Hip 983 represents Not This Time from Grade 1 family

Hip 983, a Not This Time filly from his seventh crop, earns the second-highest price prediction at $1,199,665. This filly is out of Wildwood Rose, who produced Grade 1 winner Leslie's Rose, who has earned $804,000.

The cross between Not This Time and Galileo bloodlines has limited data with only one starter. 

Hip 514 offers Not This Time filly from Grade 1-producing dam

Hip 514, another Not This Time filly, ranks third in price predictions at $1,120,983. The filly is out of Sophia Mia, who did not race but produced Grade 1 winner Speed Boat Beach, who has earned $504,000.

The genetic cross between Not This Time and Pioneerof the Nile bloodlines shows eight winners from 59 starters for a 14% win rate with no graded-stakes winners or placings. Sophia Mia has produced two foals of racing age, with only Speed Boat Beach being a winner.

Hip 400 represents Constitution from Grade 1 family

Hip 400, a Constitution colt from his eighth crop, earns the fourth-highest price prediction at $786,784. This colt is out of Life Well Lived, who earned $45,000 during her racing career and produced Grade 1 winner American Patriot, who has earned $487,000.

The cross between Constitution and Tiznow bloodlines has produced three graded-stakes winners from 322 starters with 52 winners for a 16% win rate. Life Well Lived has produced six foals of racing age, with four becoming winners.

Hip 628 completes top five with Not This Time colt

Hip 628, a Not This Time colt from his seventh crop, rounds out the top five price predictions at $775,957. This colt is out of Belle's Finale, who did not race but produced Grade 1 winner Up to the Mark, who has earned $2.51 million.

The genetic cross with Ghostzapper shows 14 winners from 68 starters for a 21% win rate with one graded-stakes winner. Belle's Finale has produced three foals of racing age, with two becoming winners.

Top racing predictions for book 2

All of these yearlings received an HRN rating performance prediction of 100, the top score in the sale. Of the 4,692 yearlings in the sale, the AI model gave a 100 performance rating to only 47 yearlings. They are distributed 13 in book 1, 10 in book 2, 11 in Book 3, two in book 4, and 11 in book 5.

The 10 Book 2 yearlings with perfect ratings represent diverse sire lines and price ranges. The model evaluates over 150 data components to generate each rating, identifying yearlings with the strongest probability of achieving success on the racetrack.

Hip 389 represents Uncle Mo filly from proven cross

Hip 389, an Uncle Mo filly from his 12th crop, earns a perfect 100 performance rating with a forecasted sale price of $395,501. This filly is out of L' Age d'Or, who did not race.

The genetic cross between Uncle Mo and Medaglia d'Oro bloodlines shows 22 winners from 98 starters for a 22% win rate with one graded-stakes winner. L' Age d'Or has produced two foals of racing age, with none becoming winners yet.

Hip 443 offers Uncle Mo filly from productive family

Hip 443, an Uncle Mo filly from his 12th crop, receives a 100 performance rating with a forecasted sale price of $262,936. This filly is out of Not in Jest, who earned $2,000 during her racing career and comes from a family with moderate racing success.

The cross between Uncle Mo and Unbridled's Song bloodlines has produced two graded-stakes winners from 290 starters with 45 winners for a 16% win rate. Not in Jest has produced five foals of racing age, with two becoming winners.

Hip 532 earns perfect rating as Gun Runner colt

Hip 532, the Gun Runner colt out of Grade 1 winner Stopchargingmaria who ranked sixth in price predictions, also earns a 100 performance rating. This colt represents both commercial appeal and racing potential from a dam who earned $3.01 million on the track.

The limited genetic cross data with Tale of the Cat shows only one starter. Stopchargingmaria has produced four foals of racing age, with two becoming winners.

Hip 565 represents Yaupon colt from stakes-producing family

Hip 565, a Yaupon colt from his second crop, earns a 100 performance rating with a forecasted sale price of $470,660. This colt is out of Troublesome, who earned $54,000 during her racing career and has produced Grade 2 winner Look Forward, who has earned $636,000.

The genetic cross with Into Mischief shows one winner from six starters for a 17% win rate with no graded stakes placings. Troublesome has produced three foals of racing age, with two becoming winners.

Hip 675 completes top five with Into Mischief colt

Hip 675, an Into Mischief colt from his 15th crop, rounds out the top five performance predictions with a 100 rating and forecasted sale price of $294,578. This colt is out of Grade 2 winner Distinta, who earned $357,000 during her racing career.

The genetic cross with Summer Bird shows limited data with only on starter. Distinta has produced one foal of racing age who became a winner.