It was a Hall of Fame-like day for trainer Rob Atras, too, after Neat staged a winning rally and beat Lagynos by a neck in the $500,000 National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame Stakes (G2) at Saratoga Race Course on Friday.
Neat. Coglianese Photo.
Before the races began, jockey Joel Rosario, horses Justify and Gun Runner were among those inducted into racing’s hall. By late afternoon, it was Junior Alvarado guiding Neat with a stretch-long rally and a special in for Atras.
“It means a lot here at Saratoga. All the owners came out. He’s a nice colt and he’s won multiple stakes, but this is the top one,” Atras, who has one Grade 1 win on his resume (the 2021 Coaching Club American Oaks with Maracuja). “Being here at Saratoga and winning here means a lot.”
Neat, a 3-year-old chestnut son of Constitution, has won four of his last five (including a pair of Grade 3s), and six of nine overall for owner Red White and Blue Stable.
Neat, the 7-2 second choice in the field of eight, was comfortable racing in sixth while Barksdale shot to the front with 2-1 favorite Army Officer in second. Around the far turn, Lagynos challenged, led through the stretch, but Neat closed with authority from the center of the track and moved ahead in the final strides. Winning time for the mile on the turf was 1:36.38.
“When I turned for home, I tipped him out and he was so game he kept fighting and grinding and kept going after the horse in front,” Alvarado said. “Eventually, he put his head in front right in front of the wire. I love this horse. He is my kind of horse – you can feel he has the fire to win.”
For those who bet horse racing, Neat returned $9 on a $2 win bet.
Buttercream Babe was third, followed by Please Advise, Crystal Quest, Zverev, Army Officer, and Barksdale.