Uncle Mo easily wins 3-year-old debut

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- 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. 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.

"Aunts, cousins, friends, grandmother, parents," he said. "Eight thousand wanted to come. For the Wood next month in New York, half of Queens will be there, and half of Long Island."

In the Grade 2, $300,000 Gulfstream Park Handicap, Tackleberry held on to win his rematch with Soaring Empire by a neck. Tackleberry covered one mile in 1:35.23 to lead a field of eight older horses and paid $11, while Soaring Empire paid $3.80 to place.

Joes Blazing Aaron won the Grade 3, $150,000 Palm Beach Stakes for 3-year-olds. The colt ran 1 1-8 miles on the turf in 1:47.85, beating Queen'splatekitten by 1 3/4 lengths and paid $25.40.

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 1:36.56. 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. Rattlesnake Bridge finished second and paid $2.20, and Gallant Dreams paid $3 to show.

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