Uncle Mo is ready for the Kentucky Derby and his owner is ready to bet on him. Big time.
The colt put together what trainer Todd Pletcher called a “textbook” workout on Sunday morning at muddy Churchill Downs, clearing the way for the fallen favourite to head to the track for Saturday’s Run for the Roses.
It also clears the way for owner Mike Repole to make a hefty investment at the betting window.
Uncle Mo has looked so good since a disappointing third-place finish in the Wood Memorial on April 9 Repole believes his budding star has regained the form he showed to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in November.
“If he doesn’t go off the favourite, I’ll make him the favourite,” Repole said.
Uncle Mo certainly carried himself like one while working alongside stablemate and fellow Derby hopeful Stay Thirsty.
Jockey John Velazquez and Uncle Mo covered five furlongs (1000m) in 1:01.60 without breaking a real sweat.
It was all the validation Pletcher and Repole needed to enter Uncle Mo in the Derby.
A start in the race was thrown into question when Uncle Mo tired in the Wood Memorial and suffered the first loss of his career.
A post race examination revealed a gastrointestinal infection that left his Derby future in doubt.
When Uncle Mo arrived at Churchill Downs nearly two weeks ago, Pletcher said his star needed to have “19 good days” to run on the first Saturday in May.
With just six to go, Uncle Mo is 13 for 13. He aced a five-furlong (1000m) workout last Tuesday and Pletcher believes Sunday’s effort was even better.
“So far we’ve had a really good three weeks,” Pletcher said.
“We’ve gotten the two most important pieces of work in. Both of them went very well. I thought today’s was even stronger than last week’s.”
Repole allows Florida Derby winner Dialed In could be the top choice when the 20-horse field is finalised on Wednesday but knows where his money is going.
“If you want to make Dialed In the favorite, go ahead please, help me,” he said.
AP AAP TURF
