Winning duo vault Neolithic close to millionaire status

Buoyed by a pair of sharp winners, Neolithic picked up nearly $49,000 in purse money yesterday, and passed the $951,000 mark in 2023 progeny earnings. He has steadily been moving up on that list, and has reached No. 10 among Florida sires.

In her second start, following a runner-up finish in her debut, Great Venezuela, a 2-year-old filly owned and bred by Orlyana Farm became winner No. 26 for her sire with a 5 3/4-length romp in a $40,000 maiden special at Gulfstream Park. With Leonel Reyes in the irons, Great Venezuela stalked the early pace through fractions of :22.21 and :44.82 in the race at five furlongs over the Tapeta surface, then came wide into the stretch and drew away with ease, getting the distance in :56:87, less than two seconds off the track record. She collected a check for $24,000, lifting her two-race total to $29,600.

At Albuquerque, Loana raised her record to 3-3-1 in 12 starts with a hard-earned neck victory in a $40,400 allowance optional claimer going seven furlongs over the main track. The 3-year-old filly bred in Pennsylvania by Mary K. Haire rated just off the pace down the backstretch under Jorge Carrena, went up to duel for the lead on the turn, then out-gamed two rivals to the wire to score by a neck. Loana was clocked in a quick 1:22.23, also less than two seconds off the track record, paid $10 and earned a check for $23,432. She received an Equibase ‘E’ speed figure of ’86’, her best career mark during which she has collected $81,966. She’s won two in a row and three of her last four.