Neolithic first Florida sire to get two 2-year-old winners

Neolithic is the first Florida sire to get two 2-year-old winners this year. Kip the Distance was first, Lithica became No. 2 yesterday with a highly professional performance in a $30,000 maiden special at Presque Isle Downs.

Lithica, who was bred by Ocala’s SCF Farm (Belinda Kitos), was sent off as the 8/5 favorite in the 4 1/2-furlong test over the all-weather track after posting a sizzling bullet 4-furlong breeze of :45.80 on May 23, best of 23 that day. With Rosario Montanez in the saddle, she battled for the lead down the backstretch in :22.65, took over going to the half in :46.09, and drew off to score by 1 1/2 lengths, clocked in :52.61, a little more than two seconds off the track record.

Lithica collected $18,000 for her maiden-breaker, lifting Neolithic’s progeny earnings for the year to $993,588. He now has 23 winners and is tied for fourth among Florida’s sires in that category.

Meanwhile, at Monmouth Park, Chiquirin tied his best Equibase ‘E’ speed figure of 85 with a victory in a 6-furlong race under Sam Marin. The 5-year-old Gone Astray gelding bred by JJT Racing was off in mid-pack, closed in on the leaders coming to the turn, swung wide for the stretch run and was best in the sprint to the wire by 1 1/4 lengths.

Chiquirin was clocked in 1:11.75 and paid $17.80 for his fifth career victory, first in 2024. He collected $11,400, lifting his total to $74,780 on a record of 5-1-5 in 25 starts.