Landman Friday wins on Saturday; Iconic Rock has a new home

With the victories of Landman Friday (on Saturday) and Iconic Rock, Neolithic edged closer to the $1 million mark in progeny earnings for 2025 while moving into a tie for second place on Florida’s general sire list with 20 winners.

LANDMAN FRIDAY – The 3-year-old colt bred by Grassroot Training & Sales had Rajiv Maragh aboard for his second start, a one-mile trip over the Gulfstream Park turf course. In the $43,000 maiden special, he was off fifth down the backstretch, dropped back briefly, then used the rail to his advantage with an unreal run and was up to win by a neck. The $175,000 OBS April 2-year-old was clocked in 1:34.79, paid a generous $41.40, and earned a check for $25,800.

ICONIC ROCK – On January 28 of 2024, John Hayek and trainer Kathleen O’Connell claimed the then 3-year-old gelding out of his second start for $16,000. In that race, Iconic Rock finished second, but was disqualified and placed fourth. In his next 15 races, the gelding bred by Joan Angelena DiLibero added three more fourths, but was never able to muster up a top three finish.

That all changed early this season, with the $15,000 OBS October yearling getting three seconds and a third in four tries, before breaking his maiden at Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday under Hector Diaz Jr. In the race at a mile and 40 yards, Iconic Rock made a wide run from fifth place down the backstretch and won a three-way stretch battle by a head. He was clocked in 1:42.69, paid $9, and collected a check for $10,085. And, after 20 races in the Hayek/O’Connell barn, they lost him for $8,000.

In his quest for his first $3 million season, Neolithic’s progeny earnings for 2025 stand at $842,279.