Uncle Mo, the Kentucky Derby favourite pulled from the American Triple Crown Classic on the eve of last month’s race, has an inflamed liver, owners announced on Friday.
Trainer Todd Pletcher scratched the bookmakers’ favourite the day before the May 7 race because of health concerns.
The colt ate poorly and was coming off a gastrointestinal infection after a third-place showing in a Derby tune-up.
Seven weeks of tests confirmed Uncle Mo suffers from cholangiohepatitis, a severe inflammation of liver and bile ducts. Live and lymph node biopsies were taken.
How Uncle Mo contracted the condition remains unknown.
Mike Repole, who owns last year’s US two-year-old champion, wants Uncle Mo back at Pletcher’s stable next month and hopes he can race again, but will see how his training goes over the next few months.
AFP AAP TURF
