Built to Bypass Kentucky Derby in Favor of Pat Day Mile, Neoequos Draws In

Built (Hard Spun) will bypass the GI Kentucky Derby and point to the GII Pat Day Mile, according to a Friday post on X by owner Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. A $260,000 OBS April purchase, Built worked five furlongs in :59.40 (1/9) at Churchill Downs Thursday.

“It's a huge honor to have qualified for the Kentucky Derby, but we have opted for the GII $600k Pat Day Mile, a race we believe is better suited for Built,” the post read. “Thanks to our wonderful Eclipse TBP & Cat Racing Stable for always putting our horse's best interest first.”

The 3-year-old trained by Wayne Catalano was the runner-up in the GIII Lecomte Stakes in New Orleans Jan. 18 and finished third in the GII Risen Star Stakes Feb. 15. Last seen finishing fifth in the GII Twinspires Louisiana Derby, Built's spot will now be occupied by the Saffie Joseph, Jr. trainee Neoequos (Neolithic).

 

It's a huge honor to have qualified Built for the @KentuckyDerby, but we have opted for the GII, $600k Pat Day Mile, a race we believe is better suited for Built. Thanks to our wonderful @EclipseTBP & @CATRacingStable for always putting our horse's best interest 1st. #BelieveBig pic.twitter.com/C133NfYoz4

— Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners (@EclipseTBP) April 25, 2025