Neolithic on his way to several ‘bests’

Neolithic’s run toward his best season shows no letup, as the son of Harlan’s Holiday hurtles full speed ahead to what will wind up in his eclipsing his best number of winners and highest progeny earnings.

With the victories of Mister Abarrio at Gulfstream Park and Neon Sign at Penn National, both accomplished by way of superior clockings, Neolithic now has had 22 winners in 2024, and earnings of $972,553. He’s on pace to easily top his previous bests of 32 winners and $1,422,736.

MISTER ABARRIO – The 4-year-old gelding bred by Dr. Tiffany A. Attebarry and Scott Brown broke well in the race at 7 1/2 furlongs over the turf course, stalked the leaders in mid-pack down the backstretch, made a bold move on the turn to take over the lead into the lane and proved easily best, winning by 3 1/2 lengths with rider Edgard Zayas under wraps. His final time of 1:26.94 is less than one second off the course record of 1:25.98. Mister Abarrio, a $30,000 OBS October yearling, earned a check for $24,100, lifting his total to $108,720 on a record of 2-5-6 in 19 starts.

NEON SIGN – Turned in the best performance of his 12-race career in a $22,000 starter optional claiming race at six furlongs. With Anthony Salgado in the saddle, the 4-year-old gelding bred by Southern Comfort Farm stalked the pace through fractions of :22.51, :44.99 and :57.12, went up to challenge on the turn, then drew off to score by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:09.66. He received a 79 Equibase speed figure, a personal best. The check for $13,200 raised his earnings to $55,510 on a record of 3-2-0 in his 12 starts.