RACING PLANS FOR UNCLE MO

Thursday, January 06, 2011

Tampa Bay Downs
TTT 1/6/11

Trainer Todd Pletcher has the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) at the top of his list of choices for the return of Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie).

Last year, Pletcher went the same route with eventual Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner Super Saver (Maria’s Mon), who finished third in the Tampa Bay Derby in the first of his two classic preps.

Uncle Mo is slated for the Wood Memorial Stakes (G1) on April 9 at Aqueduct, a race Pletcher won with Eskendereya (Giant’s Causeway) in 2010.

Pletcher notched his lone Tampa Bay Derby victory in 2004 with Limehouse (Grand Slam), who later finished fourth in the Kentucky Derby. In 2006, Bluegrass Cat (Storm Cat) finished second in the Tampa Bay Derby, Kentucky Derby, and Belmont Stakes (G1).

“The 11/16-mile distance is attractive, but we are going to play it by ear,” Pletcher told the Albany Times-Union.

Stabled at Palm Meadows Training Center in South Florida, Uncle Mo is still a few weeks away from his first workout. He received about a month break after the Juvenile, his third straight dominant performance.