Uncle Mo, top juvenile of 2010, is penciled in for his 2011 debut in the Timely Writer Stakes at Gulfstream Park. The race is an overnight stakes event conducted at the distance of one mile. Holy Bull winner Dialed In was considered a possibility for the race until it was shortened up from its original distance of 1 1/8 miles.
The connection of last year’s Breeders Cup Juvenile winner are excited to race their champion. Todd Pletcher says he is training as “exceptionally well”. This enthusiasm has been passed to owner Mike Repole who says he trusts Todd Pletcher’s opinion more than anyone when it comes to horses. That makes sense. Why would he have the horse with him if he didn’t? Regardless, the competition shouldn’t be happy that Pletcher and Repole are happy.
Their jubilance could be a front, but I doubt it. It is an indicator that Uncle Mo is getting better with age instead of the other way around. Of course, we won’t know for sure until he gets to the track. The Timely Writer is slated to run two weeks from Saturday on March 12.
Uncle Mo was the best two-year-old we’ve seen since Arazi and perhaps before that. His maiden win was one of the best ever from a from a two-year-old and his Champagne and Juvenile wins were among the highest rated in a long time.
Uncle Mo closed at 7/2 in the first Kentucky Derby future pool. He will try and begin to make good on those bets in the Timely Writer. After that race he will try the Wood Memorial before heading to Louisville, KY for a potential date with destiny in the Run for the Roses. Let’s hope and pray he stays healthy between now and then.
I can’t wait to see Uncle Mo back in action, I haven’t been this excited about a horse since Curlin! Mike Repole is one of the classiest owners ever, always thinking of the fans, I hope he makes it big.
According to Pletcher and Repole they will still send ‘Mo’ to the Tampa Bay Derby if the Timely Writer doesn’t fill. I really hope that happens so he gets two-turns in before the Wood Memorial.
It is certainly going to be one we all want to watch. Heck, Pletcher has so many horses he could fill it himself! Plus, running for 2nd place in a $100k race isn’t an awful consolation.