Neolithic to Have "Pegasus Prep" in Ninth at Gulfstream

The ninth race at Gulfstream Park today is generating attention largely because Neolithic, the likely favorite, is under consideration for a spot in the inaugural $12 million Pegasus World Cup (Grade 1).

Today's race is a $43,000 allowance at 1 1/16 miles on dirt for 3-year-olds and up 

The widely awaited  Pegasus will be 1 1/8 miles on dirt at Gulfstream this coming Jan. 28.

As we noted in a story this morning on our Web site, Starlight Racing which owns Neolithic has paid $1 million to buy one of the Pegasus starting berths.

Starlight is considering the three-year-old colt Neolithic as its “Pegasus horse” even though he has raced just six times with just one win.

However, on Nov. 12  the son of Harlan's Holiday finished second in a nine-horse field in the Discovery (Grade 3) on the dirt track at Aqueduct. 

After bumping at the start, Neolithic pressed the pace set by eventual winner Sticksstatelydude before settling for second place by 1 1/2 lengths.

Neolithic was  22-1 and was ridden by Jose Lezcano.

“I think he’s a better horse than his form suggests,” said Todd Pletcher, who trains Neolithic. “That’s why we ran him in the Discovery even though he’s still eligible for a one-other-than (allowance).”

 

Javier Castellano has been named to ride Neolithic this afternoon.

There is a field of ten following the morning scratch of Fearless Dragon.

With 15 minutes to post, Neolithic is 1-5.

The money he is taking has resulted in what we think are attractive odds on Kismet's Dream and Juan and Bina, both at 9-1, and on Kelly Tough at 14-1.