McCrocklin enjoying his Viable Asset

Owner/breeder Tom McCrocklin has been a familiar figure on the Ocala thoroughbred scene for many decades, but his presence has multiplied both at the sales and on the racetrack in the last couple of years, much of it due to great success with Pleasant Acres stallions.

Currently, McCrocklin is the owner of Viable Asset, a 3-year-old Neolithic filly who broke her maiden in her career debut, winning by 1 1/2 lengths at Gulfstream Park under Irad Ortiz Jr. on Jan. 8. The filly bred by Mike Whiddon then came back to make it 2-for-2 under Joel Rosario, scoring by two lengths in a $42,000 starter optional claimer at five furlongs on the grass, despite not getting off to a quick start.

Viable Asset paid $10.40 after getting the distance in :55.02, less than 1 1/2 seconds off the course record. She earned a check for $19,800, lifting her two-race total to $36,600, and giving her owner a cause for much optimism for the rest of the meeting.