Uncle Mo, unbeaten and untested as the 2010 2-year-old champion, did not disappoint making his eagerly anticipated 3-year-old debut yesterday in the $100,000 Timely Writer at Gulfstream Park. Bumped at the start breaking from post 1, the son of Indian Charlie quickly recovered to grab the early lead under John Velazquez, setting a tepid pace (25.53 and 49.58 seconds) in his first race since the Nov. 6 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.
After six furlongs in a lazy 1:13.69, Uncle Mo turned back a challenge from Schoolyard Cat and kicked away, coming home with a strong finish to win by 3¾ lengths. He completed the mile in 1:36.56 to pay $2.10 across-the-board as the 1-20 favorite in a field of five.
“Except for the break when he and [Gallant Dreams] bumped, everything went the way I had hoped,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “It’s great to get over this hurdle. He got the last quarter in :22 4/5, which is always good in a dirt race, and he really galloped out strong. He was the [Kentucky] Derby favorite going in and he’s the Derby favorite coming out. We’re on schedule with the Wood [Memorial] next [at Aqueduct on April 9].”
The victory was a relief for owner Mike Repole.
“It’s the first time in three months that I’ve taken a deep breath,” he said. “So it kind of feels good to take a deep breath. But when you have the best trainer in the world, and he tells you how good this horse is, you’ve got to trust him.”
