Zizka breaks his maiden at Gulfstream at 12-1 odds

Neolithic remains the leader among Florida’s top 15 stallions with 56 percent winners to starters in 2024. Zizka became winner No. 37 from 66 starters, capturing a $45,000 maiden special at Gulfstream Park.

The 2-year-old colt owned and bred by John Minchello had Leonel Reyes in the saddle for the race at 6 1/2 furlongs. Zizka was off in mid-pack, on the inside, three lengths off the pace, and remained there until Reyes slipped him through on the rail and Zizka never looked back, winning by a neck over a 25-1 shot. He paid $26.40 for his first victory in five starts, and earned a check of $29,000 for Minchello.

Neolithic is less than $15,000 away from reaching the $1.8 million mark in progeny earnings in his best season.