Four Join Celebration of Victories by Neolithic 3-Year-Olds at Gulfstream

Aside from a slew of handicappers, there are four entities most concerned with the running and outcome of races – namely, breeders, owners, trainers and jockeys.

On a recent afternoon at Gulfstream Park, in a span of two hours and 11 minutes, two Neolithic 3-year-olds were responsible for filling seven of the eight most important slots. Both are owned by Tom McCrocklin, who is also the breeder of one, both are trained by Fernando Abreu, and both were ridden by Diego Herrera.

VIABLE ASSET: The 3-year-old filly bred by Mike Whieldon went wire-to-wire in a $50,000 starter optional claimer at five furlongs on the grass. She scored by 2 1/4 lengths, and was clocked in :55.52, less than two seconds off the course record. She paid $4.40 and earned a check for $19,200, lifting her total to $60,650. She’s won 3-of-4 starts, her only loss a fourth in the Leinster Melody of Colors Stakes at Gulfstream, and her Equibase ‘E’ speed figures have improved with every race – 72-77-80-84.

CHICKEN DANCE – The 3-year-old all-McCrocklin gelding sports a record remarkably similar to that of Viable Asset. He has won 4-of-6 starts, with one third, and the only off-the-board performance resulting in a fourth place finish in the Lambholm South Sophomore Turf Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. He captured a $65,000 allowance test at one mile on the turf by a head, clocked in 1:34.85, while paying $18.40. The winner’s check of $39,000 increased his career total to $108,550, with $94,150 coming this year. Like Viable Asset, his ‘E’ speed figures have improved with each race (56-63-70-74-85-91).