No luck involved in Neolithic colt’s smart debut score at Gulfstream

Sharp handicappers who paid attention to the last seven workouts of If Not For Luck, presumably made a nice score when the 3-year-old Neolithic colt broke his maiden in his first start in a $53,000 maiden special at Gulfstream Park on Sunday.

Trainer Marcial Navarro had If Not For Luck on edge for his seven-furlong debut, with each of his seven works a little better than the one before, and the colt who sold three times at OBS – the last one for $35,000 – lived up to his morning trials. With Jose Morelos aboard, If Not For Luck rushed out for the lead and hooked up in a head-and-head battle outside Bahamian Captain, passing the quarter in :22.65. The battle continued on the turn for home, when Morelos let his colt out and If Not For Luck prevailed by a length despite having to alter course in mid-stretch to avoid clipping heels, while Peter Aiello announced, “If Not For Luck – running huge in his debut.”

If Not For Luck is Neolithic’s fourth winner of 2022, and he rewarded his faithful to the tune of $24.40 while earning a check for $31,800. He raced the seven furlongs in 1:25.27.