Neoequos 3rd in $500,000 Oaklawn Mile; Ababajoni 2nd for $175,000 at Gulfstream

Neolithic’s top earner, Neoequos, added $47,500 to his career total with a solid third-place finish in the $500,000 Oaklawn Mile Stakes.

With the nation’s leading rider, Irad Ortiz Jr., making the trip to Hot Springs, the 4-year-old colt bred by Joe and Helen Barbazon in partnership with Matalona Thoroughbreds closed well to wind up just 1 1/2 lengths behind Nu What’s New at the end of the mile clocked in 1:37.34. Coming off his victory in the Sunshine Turf Stakes at Gulfstream Park in his previous start, Neoequos was sent off at odds of 7/2, defying the morning line-maker, who had him pegged at 12-1.

Neoequos, a $22,000 OBS October yearling, banked $47,500, increasing his earnings to a healthy $549,225 on a record of 4-3-3 in 14 starts. He’s added $91,675 in his two 2026 starts.

On the same day, Ababajoni finished second by a head in a three-horse photo under Anthony Thomas in the $175,000 Cutler Bay Stakes at 7 1/2 furlongs over the Gulfstream turf course. The 3-year-old colt bred by Hallmarc Stallions and owned and trained by Rohan Crichton led every step of the way into the stretch with fractions of :23.42, :46.81 and 1:09.82, before being nailed at the wire. The final clocking of 1:27.24 is just one and 3/10th seconds off the course record.

Ababajoni, a $30,000 OBS April 2-year-old, picked up a check for $34,400, raising his total to $97,200 on a record of 2-1-0 in five tries. Neoequos has passed the $10 million mark in lifetime progeny earnings and is a stone’s throw from $800,000 in 2026.