Neolithic closing in on $800,000

Neon Sign gave Neolithic his 18th winner of 2022 with a sharp wire-to-wire performance in a $29,620 maiden special at Penn National last night.

The 2-year-old colt had finished second by two lengths in his debut at five furlongs, and was sent off as the 9/5 favorite for his return at 5 1/2 furlongs. With Angel Rodriguez aboard, the colt bred by Southern Comfort Farm posted fractions of :22.57, :46.93 and :59.90 and was three-quarters of a length in front at the wire, clocked in 1:06.72. The $16,260 winner’s check lifted his earnings to $21,680; he was a $15,000 OBS June purchase.

Neolithic is Florida’s second-leading second-crop sire with progeny earnings of $785,850. He’s less than $39,000 behind leader Noble Bird in that department, and is just one behind with respect to number of winners.