GI Curlin Florida Derby and GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes third Neoequos (Neolithic) breezed a half-mile Thursday morning at Gulfstream Park, getting the distance in a bullet :48.43. The Saffie Joseph, Jr. trainee worked in company with stablemate Mr Narcissistic (Signature Red). A video of the work can be seen here.
“It went good,” said Joseph. “He worked in company. He was inside his workmate. It was his last breeze and we were just looking for maintenance. It went well. He's in good form.”
Racing for C2 Racing Stable LLC, Ian Parsard, Shining Stables LLC, and Stefania Farms LLC, Neoequos is currently 21st on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard by points and will need a defection to get into the field. Horses must be on the Churchill Downs grounds Saturday, Apr. 26, the same day the Grade I Classic field will be drawn.
Joseph plans to ship Neoequos, a $22,000 OBS yearling graduate, to Kentucky Friday morning.
“We feel like we can get into the Derby, but if he doesn't get in, he'll run in one of the other races Derby Day,” said Joseph. “Right now, we're leaning to the American Turf, but the Pat Day Mile, I'd say, is also in contention.”
Flavien Prat will ride Neoequos in the Derby if he makes the field. However, Prat will take the mount on Baeza (McKinzie) if that one also draws into the Derby. Baeza is currently 23rd in the points standings.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
