Neoequos Breezes Closer to Kentucky Derby Berth

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. — Neoequos, currently ranked 21st on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, breezed a half-mile at Gulfstream Park Thursday morning in preparation for the race. The horse, trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., completed the distance in a bullet time of :48.43. Neoequos worked in tandem with stablemate Mr. Narcissistic.

“It went good,” Joseph said of the workout. “He was inside his workmate. It was his last breeze, and we were just looking for maintenance. It went well. He’s in good form.”

Racing for C2 Racing Stable LLC, Ian Parsard, Shining Stables LLC, and Stefania Farms LLC, Neoequos has accumulated 40 points but will need a defection from another horse to gain entry into the Kentucky Derby on May 3. Horses must arrive at Churchill Downs by Saturday, April 26, when the field will be drawn.

Joseph plans to ship Neoequos to Kentucky on Friday morning. “We feel like we can get into the Derby,” he said. “If he doesn’t get in, he’ll run in one of the other races Derby Day. Right now, we’re leaning toward the American Turf, but the Pat Day Mile is also in contention.”

Flavien Prat is set to ride Neoequos in the Derby if he qualifies. If not, Prat will take the mount on another contender, Baeza, who currently sits 23rd in the points standings.