Neolithic colt makes it even bigger for Red Oak Farm

When Make It Big broke his maiden at Gulfstream Park by 8 1/2 lengths on Oct. 9, the Brunetti family at Red Oak Farm received their first return on the son of Neolithic – $27,000. It came just five months and nine days after they had paid $120,000 for him at the OBS April sale.

The dividends reached $63,828 yesterday when the colt from Neolithic’s first crop became the initial stakes-winner for the stallion by Harlan’s Holiday, winning the $60,000 Ocala Stud Juvenile despite a troubled trip at Gulfstream.

After his sharp debut, Make It Big was 4/5 on the tote board as the field left the gate for the seven-furlong race. However, leaving from the No. 1 post, Make It Big made a right turn and brushed the gate, getting out last in the field of six. Edgard Zayas quickly straightened him out and Make It Big cruised up on the inside to take a spot in third, stalking pacesetter Just Leo, a full brother to millionaire Firenze Fire.

Coming to the turn, Zayas found himself in a box and took back briefly into fourth before swinging his colt wide and out to mid-track as they began the run down the lane. It took Make It Big a few strides to get untracked, and when he did, he blew by the leaders without so much as taking a deep breath, reaching the wire 2 1/2 lengths in front in 1:24.62, and collecting $36,828.

The colt bred by SHH Stables became the second stakes horse among the five winners for Neolithic. Previously, Cattin finished third in the $400,000 In Reality.