The long wait to see Uncle Mo run as a 3-year-old lasted longer than expected Saturday at Gulfstream Park. The crowd stood, the starting gates opened and . . . no sign of the leading contender for the Triple Crown.
''His worst start,'' owner Mike Repole said. ''He broke terrible.''
Uncle Mo found himself last for a few strides but quickly recovered and won the $100,000 Timely Writer Stakes by 3-3/4 lengths. As a 1-9 favorite, the unbeaten colt had everything to lose, which may be why Repole looked so relieved in the winner's circle.
''It's the first time in three months I've taken a deep breath,'' the billionaire from New York City said. ''It feels good.''
Uncle Mo's start was his first since he won the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs on Nov. 6. Pressure will only build from here, and Repole knows exactly how long he must wait until the Kentucky Derby.
''Eight weeks and two hours,'' he said.
Repole and Uncle Mo's trainer, Todd Pletcher, have another Triple Crown contender in Stay Thirsty, who won the Gotham last week.
''We were in a position today where there was no upside other than him doing what he did,'' Pletcher said. ''You just want to get over that hurdle, get him back on the racetrack, get him back in the winner's circle and move on to the next race. He's the Derby favorite going in, and he's the Derby favorite coming out.''
The bandwagon grows. Fans cheered Uncle Mo in the paddock before the race, and again when he surged at the top of the stretch.
Uncle Mo's successful day was in stark contrast to the outing by the favorite in the Tampa Bay Derby, across the state from Gulfstream. Brethren finished third, trailing long shots of 43-1 and 86-1.
In the third majors Kentucky Derby prep of the day, Premier Pegasus pulled an upset in the San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita.
At Gulfstream, Uncle Mo's supporters briefly had reason to worry at the start, when he was a half-step slow to emerge from the gate and then bumped Gallant Dreams.
Soon enough, Uncle Mo was ahead to stay in the field of five 3-year-olds.
''The good horses know they're good. He knows,'' Repole said. ''He just has that feeling. When he broke slow, other horses might panic. But he was very relaxed. He got to the lead nice and easy in five strides.''
Ridden by John Velzaquez, Uncle Mo turned back a challenge from Rattlesnake Bridge at the top of the stretch and drew away.
The colt covered one mile in 1 minute, 36.56 seconds. His half-mile time was only 49.58, but he ran the final quarter in 22.87.
''This is a very special horse,'' said retired Hall of Fame rider Angel Cordero Jr. ''He reminds me of Seattle Slew because he has a lot of gas. He doesn't have to be in the lead. He has a lot of potential.''
Uncle Mo, who has won his four starts by a combined 27 lengths, paid $2.10 for a win bet.
At Santa Anita, Premier Pegasus trounced the Bob Baffert-trained favorite Jaycito and eight other 3-year-olds by more than seven lengths in the San Felipe Stakes at 7-1 odds. Ridden by Alonso Quinonez for trainer Myung Cho and racing longer than a mile for the first time, Premier Pegasus was seventh in the early going but made a huge move on the second turn, pulling away to win by a stakes-record 7-3/4 lengths and covering 1-1/16 miles in 1:41.23.
Watch Me Go, a 43-1 long shot, won the $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby. Brethren battled for the early lead and then faded to third behind 86-1 Crimson Knight.
