Neat avoided trouble going into the first turn of Saturday’s $100,000 Texas Turf Mile S. at Sam Houston and took command early before drawing off to an domineering 5 1/2-length victory.
After breaking sharply under Reylu Gutierrez, Neat followed early pacesetters Card Trick and Judge McBee through the first quarter mile. When the latter failed to corner going in the the first turn, Gutierrez smartly guided Neat to the inside while Card Trick was carried 7-wide.
Neat got into a steady rhythm from there and was never seriously challenged the rest of the way, earning his first Stakes victory. He covered the eight furlongs on the Sam Houston Turf course in 1:39.35, which translates to a solid 84 Beyer Speed Figure.
The well-traveled son of Constitution debuted with a troubled start at Kentucky Downs last September before reeling off turf victories in a Maiden Special at Laurel (by 4 1/4 lengths) and an Allowance heat at Fair Grounds (by 3 1/2 lengths). He was back on the grass Saturday after trying the main track in the Gun Runner S. in New Orleans in late December.
Neat was bred by Hidden Brook Farm in partnership with Spruce Lane Farm out of the More Than Ready mare Orabella. He was foaled and raised at the historic Hidden Brook nursery in Paris, Kentucky before going through the ring with Hidden Brook at the 2021 Keeneland November Sale. He was purchased by Andrew N. Warren for $200,000 making him Constitution’s 4th-highest-priced weanling of the year.
Orabella is also the dam of the Stakes-winning/multiple Graded-placed Hidden Brook alum Louder Than Bombs.
