‘Uncle Mo’ wins Timely Writer

Associated Press

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla.

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 33/4 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. Uncle Mo’s ranked No. 1 in the AP’s Run to the Roses Top 10 Derby list and likely will remain there until his next start in the Wood Memorial on April 9.

“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.

There was plenty of support from Repole’s entourage, which numbered 50 friends and relatives.