In every Kentucky Derby, there’s always one late addition to the field that shakes things up, and this year, that horse is Neoequos. After Built opted out of the Derby for the Pat Day Mile, Neoequos was officially vaulted into the 20-horse field. Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., Neoequos has steadily climbed the ranks at Gulfstream Park, delivering a series of gutsy performances that have kept him in the mix against some of this year’s top contenders.

While questions still remain about whether he can handle the grueling 1 1/4-mile Derby distance, what can’t be denied is his consistency and fighting spirit. Whether it’s leading from the front or sticking close to the leaders, Neoequos has shown he has the heart to compete on the sport’s biggest stage. Now, the Florida-bred colt gets his shot to make history.

Who owns Neoequos?

Neoequos runs under the colors of C2 Racing Stable, Ian Parsard, Shining Stables, and Stefania Farms. C2 Racing, in particular, is no stranger to the Kentucky Derby spotlight, having campaigned White Abarrio to a 16th-place finish in 2022.

For Ian Parsard, Shining Stables, and Stefania Farms, this marks their first journey to the hallowed grounds of Churchill Downs. Together, this ownership group has backed a colt who wasn’t exactly the flashiest on paper but has shown he belongs with the best. Their patience and investment are now being rewarded with a chance at Derby glory.

Who trains Neoequos?

Saffie Joseph Jr. is one of the rising stars in American training circles. Based in Florida, Joseph has built a reputation for developing tough, consistent horses, especially at Gulfstream Park. Though he’s 0-for-3 in the Derby with his best finish being eighth with Ny Traffic in 2020, Joseph’s success at the Grade 1 level across other races signals he’s more than capable of getting a horse ready for the big time.

Joseph believes Neoequos deserves his shot, despite the looming distance question mark. “He wasn’t too far behind Tappan Street or Sovereignty,” Joseph pointed out, referencing his colt’s strong finishes against two of the Derby favorites. That sort of confident talk shows just how much faith Joseph has in his charge.

Who is Neoequos’ jockey?

Flavien Prat, a seasoned veteran and Derby-winning jockey, gets the call aboard Neoequos. Prat famously won the 2019 Kentucky Derby with Country House via disqualification and has consistently been a major player in Triple Crown races. His experience is a major asset for Neoequos, particularly because navigating a 20-horse field at Churchill Downs is as much about smarts and timing as it is about speed.

Prat’s ability to judge pace and position his mounts perfectly could give Neoequos exactly the setup he needs to maximize his early speed and fend off the closers in the stretch.

As of April 2025, Neoequos has banked $291,050 across seven starts, posting a record of 2 wins, 2 seconds, and 2 thirds. While he doesn’t boast the earnings of heavyweights like Journalism or Sandman, Neoequos’ path to the Derby shows he’s been competitive against top-tier company, especially with his back-to-back third-place efforts in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth and the Grade 1 Florida Derby.

What are Neoequos’ racing stats and performances?

Neoequos has raced exclusively at Gulfstream Park, starting his career with a rocky debut where he lost his rider. After that initial mishap, he quickly righted the ship by winning a five-furlong maiden special weight in :58.77. His juvenile season included a pair of runner-up finishes in the prestigious Florida Sire Stakes series, trailing only the undefeated Rated by Merit.

This year, Neoequos returned with an allowance victory over a sloppy track and followed it up with his strong showings in major Derby preps. His final prep race, the Florida Derby, saw him hang tough against Tappan Street and Sovereignty despite fading a bit late, a slight concern considering the added distance of the Derby.

What is Neoequos’ pedigree and bloodline?

Neoequos is by Neolithic, a gritty competitor who earned over $2.2 million but never quite conquered races longer than 1 1/16 miles. His dam, Bold Birdie, is by Birdstone, the 2004 Belmont Stakes winner known for outstaying heavy favorite Smarty Jones. This blend gives Neoequos a genetic blueprint that combines speed with just enough stamina to raise hopes he might survive the 1 1/4-mile Derby test.

Interestingly, six Florida-breds have won the Kentucky Derby, the last being Silver Charm back in 1997. Neoequos will try to become the seventh, adding another layer of charm (pun intended) to his underdog story.

Ahead of the Derby, Neoequos turned in a bullet work at Gulfstream Park, breezing a half-mile in a sharp 48.43 seconds. Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. was pleased with the move, indicating the colt is thriving heading into Derby week. Neoequos has since shipped into Churchill Downs and is reportedly handling the new surroundings well.

What are Neoequos’ strengths and concerns?

Neoequos’ biggest asset is his tactical speed. He can get to a forward position without having to gun for the lead, which is a major advantage in a crowded Derby field. He’s also battle-tested, having consistently faced and run well against top-tier horses like Sovereignty and Tappan Street.

However, the biggest question is whether Neoequos can carry his speed an extra furlong. In both the Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby, he led or pressed the pace before fading late. With the Derby being even longer, there’s understandable skepticism about whether he can finish the job. Also, Neoequos has never raced outside of Florida, and adapting to the bigger stage and different surface at Churchill Downs adds another layer of uncertainty.

Looking ahead to the 2025 Kentucky Derby

Neoequos isn’t coming into the Derby with the flashiest resume, but he brings a scrappy consistency that could make him a serious player if the race shape falls his way. If the early fractions are manageable and Flavien Prat works his magic, Neoequos could absolutely find himself in the thick of it turning for home.

While he may not be atop many win tickets, he’s an intriguing choice for trifecta and superfecta players looking for a horse who’s likely to show up and fight. And if he’s feeling right on Derby day, who’s to say this Florida-bred can’t add his name to the history books?