SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) A son of the Storm Cat was bought back by his consignor for $3.8 million Wednesday night during the Fasig-Tipton yearling sale.

Fasig-Tipton officials hoped the colt would highlight the session, but Robert Evans, owner of Taylor Made Sales Agency, didn't like the way the bidding was going and decided to buy him back.

"The owner wanted more money than the market would give, it's that simple," auctioneer Walt Robertson said.

Bidding had opened at $1 million.

"There's a chill in the economic air and it appears to be taking its toll," said D.G. Van Clief Jr., chairman of Fasig-Tipton. Van Clief added that the lack of superstar sires such as Seattle Slew and Mr. Prospector has hurt business.

As it turned out, for the second night in a row, a filly was the most expensive purchase. John Sikura, the Lexington, Ky., owner and breeder, paid $1.3 million for a daughter of Storm Cat and the champion mare Sacahuista. The filly was consigned by Eaton Sales.

The most expensive colt was purchased by Padua Stable, which paid $900,000 for a son of Honour and Glory. The colt was consigned by Taylor Made.

There were 76 yearlings scheduled to be sold Wednesday, the second night of the annual sale, but only 44 had buyers. The others were either pulled from the bidding or did not meet their reserves.

On the second night of last year's sale, 50 yearlings were sold. The average purchase price fell from last year's $398,000 to $268,636. The gross was down from $19.9 million to $11.8 million.

The sale concludes Thursday night.

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