6th-Keeneland, $116,200, Alw (NW2X)/Opt. Clm ($125,000), 10-23, 3yo, f, 1 1/8m, 1:52.16, ft, 1 length.
NEON ICON (f, 3, Arrogate–Mademoiselle Coco, by Medaglia d'Oro) earned 'TDN Rising Star' honors on debut at Keeneland Apr. 17 with a 4 1/2-length score. The gray cleared the allowance ranks next time over a wet track at Churchill Downs May 23. Well-beaten in the GIII Indiana Oaks July 6, Neon Icon finished seventh in the GI Alabama Stakes at the Spa Aug. 17 and fifth in the Seneca Overnight Stakes under the Twin Spires Sept. 21.
Looking to get her picture taken and as a 9-2 shot here, the 3-year-old tucked in off the speed along the rail into the first turn. On hold up the backstretch, the filly was locked in and looked for a way through around the far turn. Tipping to the outside lane and coming under a drive, Neon Icon steadily reeled in Audacious (Into Mischief) and got to the wire by a length over that foe. The victory gave trainer Rusty Arnold his 300th Keeneland win.
“This is great that it was for the Bromagen family because such a big number of these wins were their horses,” said Arnold, who is based at Keeneland and is second behind Bill Mott on the list of all-time leading trainers at the track. “I have been training for them since about 1986.
Rusty Arnold (far right) after his 300th Keeneland win as a trainer | Coady Media
“I have to thank all the owners: the Bromagens, G. Watts Humphrey [Jr.], Taylor Asbury from way back,” Arnold said. “I know I am going to forget to mention somebody. Calumet Farm has really jumped on and helped me. So many people through the years, I don't want to forget anybody. Some have been with me a long time.”
Neon Icon's dam is responsible for a yearling colt by Essential Quality and a filly by that same sire who was foaled Mar. 11. A half-sister to Horse of the Year Havre de Grace (Saint Liam), Mademoiselle Coco was sent to Cody's Wish for 2025. The winner is part of an extended female family which includes MGISW Riskaverse (Dynaformer) and current sire Tonalist (Tapit). Sales History: $220,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 6-3-0-0, $221,958. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Glenn S. Bromagen II and Michael Dahir; B-Nancy S. Dillman (KY); T-George R. Arnold II.
(3) Neon Icon charges down the lane to win race 6! (9) Audacious is second, (6) Landed takes third. pic.twitter.com/feVTMc3JM5
— Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) October 23, 2024
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