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Kentucky Derby Contender: Neoequos

Updated profiles, with post positions and track odds for the 20 3-year-olds entered for the 151st running of the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs is Saturday (May 3).

Kentucky Derby Contender: Neoequos

Neoequos. Lauren King/Coglianese Photo.

Welcome to the Kentucky Derby (G1), Neoequos, trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr., and perhaps jockey Flavien Prat.

Neoequos, who finished third in the Fountain of Youth (G2) and the Florida Derby (G1), replaced Built among the Top 20 on the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard on Friday (April 25).

The owners of Built withdrew him from Derby consideration and instead will run him in the Pat Day Mile (G2) on Derby Day.

Joseph has been preparing Neoequos for the Kentucky Derby for weeks, needing several defections for his colt to move into contention. Neoequos was on his way to Churchill Downs following a Thursday (April 24) workout – 4 furlongs in 48.43 at Gulfstream Park.

He’s won twice in seven starts, all at Gulfstream, and could end up being ridden by Eclipse Award-winning jockey Flavien Prat. Prat would not ride Neoequos only if Baeza, No. 22 on the leaderboard, gets into the field, limited to 20 starters.

“The horse has ability," Joseph said. “The distance is a little question mark, but he's run faster on his figures stretching out than he has in one turn. The figures say he's handling distance. He wasn't far behind Sovereignty and Tappan Street (in the Florida Derby), so we'll give it a try.”

Neoequos had a rugged start to his career last July when he stumbled and lost his rider early in his debut at five furlongs. The Florida-bred colt bounced back with a win and two seconds in two legs of the Florida Sire Stakes. After a Jan. 23 win, he was third behind Sovereignty and River Thames in the Fountain of Youth and third again behind Tappan Street and Sovereignty in the Florida Derby (both set for the Derby).

Kentucky Derby Betting Advice 

Can’t dismiss his pair of thirds in big prep races in Florida, but 1 ¼ miles may prove too much for this frontrunner. No bet.

Contender Information Card  

  • Post position: 2
  • Odds: 30-1  
  • Jockey: Luis Saez
  • Trainer:  Saffie Joseph, Jr.
  • Owners: C2 Racing Stable, Ian Parsard, Shining Stables, Stefania Farms
  • Career record: 7-2-2-2
  • Career earnings: $291,050
  • Last race: Florida Derby (G1), March 29, 3rd
  • Derby points: 40 (21st)
  • Top Equibase speed figure: 100    
  • Pedigree: Neolithic-Bold Birdie, by Birdstone
  • Color: Bay    
  • Running style: Frontrunner
  • Notes: This will be Saffie Joseph, Jr.'s fourth Derby runner, his best finisher being Ny Traffic, eighth in 2020. Prat will ride Neoequos only if Baeza (No. 22 on the leaderboard) fails to make the field. The colt trained by John Shirreffs needs more defections to secure a spot in the Derby.
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