Neolithic filly posts 2nd splendid victory at Evangeline Downs

In her career debut as a 2-year-old at Evangeline Downs last August, Splenda Gail broke her maiden in a breeze – by 4 1/4 lengths. It took a return to Louisiana for the filly by Neolithic to find her mojo again, and she finished third in the $60,000 Arcadiana Stakes on April 15.

Off that good effort, the 3-year-old bred by Joe and Helen Barbazon was sent off at 3/5 yesterday in a $27,000 allowance race at ‘about’ five furlongs on the turf with Taylor Bethany riding. Leaving from the No. 3 post, Splenda Gail was squeezed at the break and immediately fell behind by five lengths. Bethany kept her on the inside while the leaders were flying up front, putting up suicidal fractions of :21.32 and :45.04.

When Bethany asked for her best on the turn, Splenda Gail unleashed a monster five-wide run, took the lead in the stretch and left the others gasping behind her, winning by 2 1/4 lengths in :56.66. She earned a check for $26,490, lifting her total to $51,830. She became Neolithic’s eighth winner of 2022 from just 19 starters, and her percentage of 42.1 in that category is second best among the top 15 active Florida stallions.