A Neolithic Star is born; Another Silky Sullivan-ess in the making?
In the span of two hours and two minutes at Gulfstream Park yesterday, Neolithic added winners 16 and 17 to his 2024 total which ties him for third among all Florida sires. At the same time, he added $69,400 to his progeny earnings that helped lift his season’s total to $647,282, good for fifth place among Florida’s sires, while giving Joe and Helen Barbazon another healthy breeder’s award.
SLIDE SHOW – At 2:17, the 3-year-old colt bred by the late former NFL player Freddie Hyatt made OBS buyers look bad after he was a $14,000 RNA at the 2023 Winter Mixed Sale. Making his career debut in a $60,000 maiden special, Slide Show broke from the gate on top and continued on for a 12-length score with as easy a trip as rider Miguel Vasquez has ever enjoyed. The colt passed the poles on the Tapeta course in a leisurely :24.55, :49.50 and 1:13.60 without receiving a threat, then coasted away down the lane with Vasquez standing in the irons for the last 16th.
Despite three sharp morning trials, including a :58.68 5-furlong Tapeta breeze, Slide Show paid a generous $12.60, $8.40 and $6.40, while earning a check for $38,000 for owner JR Racing. It appears as though a star has been born.
PRIVATE THOUGHTS – At 4:19, the 3-year-old gelding bred by the Barbazons, an $11,000 OBS March 2-year-old, stalked the early pace under a strong hold by Paco Lopez in a $49,000 starter optional claimer, moved two wide for the stretch drive and drew off late to score by 1 1/4 lengths. The gelding co-owned by his trainer, Ron Spatz, and attorney David Romanik, was clocked in 1:40.55 for the 1 1/16 miles, paid $3.80 as favorite, and collected a check for $31,400. He boosted his earnings to $85,054 on a record of 2-1-1 in six starts.
DANCING N DIXIE – It’s a little too early to compare the 3-year-old Neolithic filly to the great closers of all time, like the immortal Silky Sullivan and Breeders’ Cup eye-opener Arazi, but she’s certainly making a bid.
For the second time in a row, Dancing N Dixie came from out of the clouds to finish third in a graded stakes, both times just falling short at the wire. On March 9, she rallied from 11th and last in the Gr. III Florida Oaks at Tampa Bay Downs at odds of 68-1. Yesterday, at 10-1, she came from 12th and last under Jose Ortiz in the Gr. II, $400,000 Appalachian Stakes presented by the Japan Racing Association at Keeneland, and missed getting all the money by half a length and a head. The Equibase chart has her about 9 1/2 lengths behind the leader heading down the backstretch, but it was closer to 15 – she was five lengths behind the 11th horse. She received her best ‘E’ speed figure, a 104.
Dancing N Dixie was also a bargain at the last OBS Open June Sale, selling for just $35,000. She’s owned by Tina Casse, wife of her trainer, in partnership with Rocky Top Stable and LEMB Stables and she’s earned $138,235 on a record of 2-0-2 in eight starts.