Great Valenzuela: a Rapidly Rising Star

Great Venezuela can easily be viewed in the “rising star” category after her second straight Gulfstream Park victory since her return to the races, following a 4 1/2-month layoff.

The 3-year-old Neolithic filly owned and bred by Orlyana Farm has raised her eye-catching overall record to 4-1-1 in six starts, and the $25,900 check for her latest score in a $44,000 starter optional claimer swelled her earnings to $120,400. With Leonel Reyes in the saddle in the 5 1/2-furlong race over the Tapeta course, Great Valenzuela stalked the early pace through quarters of :21.89 and :45.46, went three wide for the stretch run and drew off by nearly three lengths, clocked in 1:03.85. She paid an unbelievable $2.10 to win.

Neolithic is still in fourth place among Florida’s active stallions with 2024 progeny earnings of $1,133,940, and he’s third on the list of winners with 28.