A colt by Orientate out of stakes producer Java Star (Java Gold) brought a final bid of $235,000 from trainer Timothy Ritchey, agent, to top Friday's session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale in Lexington. Hip 3841, a half to MSW and GSP La Recherche (Sky Classic), was consigned by Gainesway, Agent XLVIII.

His dam was bought for just $600 by Don Strode at the 1999 Keeneland January sale. Now owned by Verle McGraw, she saw her stock rise when La Recherche hit the racetrack in 2002. The filly, a $7,700 KEENOV weanling and $7,500 FTKJAN yearling, brought $13,500 as a LOUMAR juvenile.

She captured the Walmac Lone Star Oaks and the Pago Hop S. at Fair Grounds, retiring with earnings of $384,046. Java Star's first foal to go through the ring after La Recherche was a Grand Slam colt, later named Espresso Love, that sold for $225,000 at KEESEP in 2004.

Yesterday's topper was produced by a foal share put together by Gainesway's Michael Hernon and McGraw. He's a big strong, appealing colt with a lot of similarities to Orientate in color and type," Hernon said. "He appealed to a lot of the lookers in the back ring where most of the action was today. He's lovely--a real trainer's type.

Orientate continues to make progress as a very useful sire with a proven track record." Bob Hess, Jr. was the under bidder.