By Michael Domabyl
Introduction
With 40 points, Neoequos is squarely on the bubble for getting into the race, sitting in 21st place on the Road to the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard. Reports are that connections intend to ship to Churchill and enter the race as an also-eligible, but this colt might be up against it to compete at this level
Racing Record and Notable Performances
Neoequos began his career racing mostly against restricted company in Florida last season. Unfortunately he ran into a buzzsaw in that circuit of races, being defeated multiple times by the talented Rated by Merit. When that one was sidelined, he was able to toy with a group of Florida-bred allowance horses to begin his three-year old campaign and connections thought enough of that performance to try open stakes company next time out. He got decent trips up near the pace in both the Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby but was overrun in the lane by some more talented Derby contenders each time. His back-to-back third place finishes in those events was enough to secure enough points to put him on the fringes of the Derby starting gate.
Pedigree and Connections
- Sire: Neolithic
- Dam (Damsire): Bold Birdie (by Big Brown)
- Owner: C2 Racing Stable, Ian Parsard, Shining Stables & Stefania Farms
- Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr
- Jockey: Edgard Zayas
As opposed to many of the top Derby contenders, Neoequos has an extremely modest pedigree. His sire Neolithic, best known for a 3rd place finish in the 2017 Dubai World Cup, stands at stud for just $5k. He’s the best foal to race from his dam Bold Birdie who was best sprinting on Woodbine’s synthetic surface. With these bloodlines, the extra distance in the Kentucky Derby is a major concern which his trainer admitted to on the In The Money Media YouTube Channel.
His trainer is Saffie Joseph Jr who is looking to get his first Kentucky Derby win just two years removed from being unceremoniously suspended from Churchill Downs. It appears they’ll stick with his regular rider Edgard Zayas who would also be looking for his first Derby win.
Final Prep Analysis
- Final Prep Race: Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park (March 29th)
- Finish Position: 3rd out of 10
- Final Time: 1:49.27
- Beyer Speed Figure: 89
Neoequos got a modicum of respect at the tote to be sent off at 11-1 against a pretty solid field. He broke well and was sent hard from his inside post position, but was quickly cleared by Madaket Road and was forced to stalk the pace. Those two settled into a comfortable clip heading into the far turn. Neoequos actually took the lead for a brief moment at the top of the lane, but was quickly passed by eventual winner Tappan Street and couldn’t hold off Sovereignty either, ultimately checking in a tiring third.
Strengths and Concerns
Strengths: This colt showed last time he didn’t need the lead to produce a respectable effort, which would allow for him to settle into the second flight in the Derby. He posted a bullet work at Gulfstream on April 24th, but will need to transfer that over to Churchill.
Concerns: His 89 Beyer last out is nowhere near good enough to get it done and I question whether he’ll even be able to replicate that figure given his pedigree and recent performances don’t suggest he’ll relish the added distance. Another major concern is that if he gets into the race via the also-eligible pathway, he’ll be marooned in one of the outermost stalls.
Expert Opinions and Odds
If he makes the gate there’s a chance Neoequos could be the longest shot on the board. Where he is offered in some offshore markets, he’s listed at upwards of 50-1. Since Rich Strike’s major upset in 2022, we’ve seen a deflation in the price of the longest prices, so I would not suggest the pari-mutuel win pool as a place to back this runner. Honestly, given he’s far more likely to finish last than hit the superfecta, I’m not sure I would suggest playing him in any pari-mutuel pool.
Conclusion
Neoequos is an honest, hard-trying colt who has already turned a profit for his owners that purchased him for just $22k at the OBS Sale in October of 2023. He might be able to win some stakes races in South Florida over the next few years, but I’d imagine those will be outside of the grade one ranks and going shorter than the 10 furlongs he’s facing in the Derby.
Kentucky Derby Contender Profiles
Journalism – Sandman – Sovereignty – Burnham Square – Luxor Cafe – Tappan Street – Citizen Bull – Tiztastic – Coal Battle – Rodriguez – American Promise – Final Gambit – Grande – East Avenue – Publisher – Chunk of Gold – Owen Almighty – Flying Mohawk
For quick hitting info on all 2025 Kentucky Derby horses…
