Neat made a daring move between horses in deep stretch to win Friday’s $400,000 Transylvania S. (G3) by a nose over Cugino.
The victory marked the first graded stakes win for the 3-year-old Constitution colt, who had won the Texas Turf Mile by 5 ¼-lengths in his previous outing.
Neat is the fifth graded stakes winner this year for Constitution, who came into the day ranked seventh on the 2024 General Sire list with nearly $2.9 million in progeny earnings. His top earner this year, Catching Freedom, is a leading candidate for the Kentucky Derby (G1).
Neat in post four, broke was in the second flight soon after the start, then with a headstrong move, made his way up the inside and to the lead entering the backstretch. He settled down from there and relinquished the lead.
After six furlongs, he was dueling for third just behind the top pair of Cugino and Musical Act (Ire). Inside the final furlong, Neat threaded his way between them and won the closest of head-bobs on the wire to cover the 1 1/16-miles on the turf in 1:44.93 on a course labeled “good”.
“He’s getting more mature and he’s gotten better every start. He had beaten arguably some lesser competition (previously) and today was a tough test, and he really showed up today,” said winning trainer Rob Atras. “Honestly, I just think (jockey) Reylu (Gutierrez) did a great job (having to back off the lead and then re-rally). He had a tough time going into the first turn with him and obviously causing some havoc on the backside. He got him settled down and relaxed and really finished strong.”
Neat has won four of six lifetime starts and earned $347,900 for owner Red, White and Blue Racing LLC. Bred by Hidden Brook Farm and Spruce Lane Farm, Neat’s dam Orabella, a daughter of More than Ready, is also responsible for stakes winner Louder Than Bombs.
