Neolithic makes winning return at Saratoga

Dual Gr. 1 third Neolithic made a winning reappearance at Saratoga on Saturday.

Neolithic (pictured right during trackwork at Meydan earlier in the year) made his first start carrying the Qatar Racing colours in the Gr. 1 Dubai World Cup over a mile and a quarter at Meydan in March, when he finished third behind Arrogate and Gun Runner, and he made a winning return in a seven-furlong allowance optional claiming race at Saratoga on Saturday.

Neolithic contracted a respiratory illness on his trip back from Dubai to North America but had been given plenty of time to recover, and his return success confirms he's a very exciting prospect for his owners Qatar Racing and Starlight Racing, and trainer Todd Pletcher.

The 4-year-old colt has finished third in the world's two richest thoroughbred races as he was also behind Arrogate in the $12 million Gr. 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes in January, as well as the $10 million Dubai World Cup.

Neolithic has now won three of his 10 outings, and that he's already proved he can mix it with the best of his generation bodes well for the second half of the year.