How small will the Timely Writer field be?
 

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Todd Pletcher and owner Mike Repole’s first choice for Uncle Mo’s 3-year-old debut is Saturday’s $100,000 Timely Writer at Gulfstream Park. The question is can the track’s racing secretary, Dan Bork, find enough 3-year-olds willing to take on the champ to make the race go.

Uncle Mo completed the last of his six workouts in preparation for his 3-year-old debut Sunday at Palm Meadows, breezing an easy half-mile in 48.87 seconds under jockey John Velazquez.

“Having the Eclipse Award winner and Kentucky Derby favorite run here is a bonus for our fans, so we’re willing to let this race go with a very short field if we have to,” said Gulfstream Park vice president of racing Tim Ritvo.

http://www.drf.com/news/uncle-mo-won...eam-2011-debut

Four entrants and then a scratch is my bet.

Walkover.
No Betting.

Free Entry was beaten 18.5 lengths by Uncle Mo in a debut race for both horses - I'm Steppin' It Up was beaten 14.5 lengths by UM in the Champagne.

Schoolyard Cat is a New York bred who won a 35K maiden claiming race on turf two starts back - and isn't much on dirt.

And to get both I'm Steppin' It Up and Free Entry to actually run would be very optimisitc.

Dialed In got a lot out of his race on Saturday in terms of maintaining fitness and setting him up for the Florida Derby, and I understand that a race is typically better than any workout. But will Uncle Mo run much faster on Saturday than he would in a one mile workout by himself or with a workmate?

This race is a lock to go by the way.

The purse structure is as follows ...

50% to winner, 25% to second, 15% to third, 5% to 4th, 3% to 5th, and 2% to 6th.

There are a few maidens and a few cheap turf claiming horses nominated who would love 15K for 3rd money - with no loss of conditions... and might not even mind 5K for 4th money.

It will probably be Uncle Mo - 3 or 4 others - and, if needed, a Pletcher lamb that probably scratches.

Yes.

It's a dumb question, but you know what I'm saying, right? We're less than two months from the Derby, and this horse hasn't even started... and he's been dormant at the barn since Thanksgiving.

On facebook Repole's neice is reporting that Uncle Mike and Uncle Todd say Mo is doing just peachy? I believe her..lol

Interesting how they changed the usual 60/20/10 percentages for the first three finishers. The extra $5K to the second and third-place finishers should help them find a few opponents for the other reasons that you stated.

You also never know what motivates an owner. There are a few moderate homebreds nominated like solid claimer Duke of Doom who are still owned by the breeder.

If the current owner/breeder still owns the very young mother of DoD (DoD was her first foal) - I'm sure they'd be over the moon to get 15K for 3rd, not lose any conditions, and get black type for the first foal of a young broodmare they own.

If he's healthy - he'll run very fast and do it under wraps late.

I suppose no one is probably going to want to be the one who goes with him early - or makes first move at him - so the pace could wind up 'workout' like slow... and to some extent you'd be right.

Will there be exacta wagering, and what will be winning exacta pay?

Not sure.

If - by some miracle - there is show wagering - Freddy should find the 2nd best horse and empty his pockets on that one to show.

Back on topic, is anyone willing to set the total on number of starters (not entrants) at 3.5 and take my under play?

I'll take your action on your 'Under 3.5' I guess. My prediction is that 4 total starters go.

What do you want this for - $20? $50? An autographed sock?

I'll put up a hi-five in public from me to you, and you put up something pornographic from your collection. Deal?

The exacta will pay a lot if Mo isn't in it.

Ok, deal.

Gulfstream Park can dangle some races in the next condition book in front of reluctant trainers with 3yo slugs.

Freddy will be pleased to know ....

Uncle Mo comes through with another solid post this morning!

how bizarre

I used to want him to be a great 3 year old now I am scared of what that will ultimately mean.

Yeah, imagine how it is for me.

I've probably been the worlds biggest IC fan since the day he debuted and even I am conflicted on Uncle Mo because of all the hype and nonsense surrounding him.

The only two horse I ever fell in love with were Christmas Past and then years later sadly Smarty Jones.

I fell in love with Golden Missile...after his racing career.

As of 11:30 a.m. EST on Wednesday, the Timely Writer Stakes had attracted five entries, making it probable that his undefeated champion two-year-old male will make his three-year-old debut on Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/rac...ly-writer.aspx

Uncle Mo will face five in Gulfstream’s Timely Writer
By Mike Welsch


HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – A field of six 3-year-olds, led by Eclipse Award winner Uncle Mo, is tentatively scheduled to run in Saturday’s $100,000 Timely Writer, according to the Gulfstream Park racing office. Along with Uncle Mo, the field for the one-mile Timely Writer is expected to include Rio Bonita, Schoolyard Cat, Gallant Dreams, Rattlesnake Bridge, and Rocking Out. Four of the six horses in the race will be supplemented into the Timely Writer at a cost of $600.

Why does Equibase have Uncle Mo in at TBD on Saturday?

http://equibase.com/static/entry/TAM031211USA-EQB.html

Cross entry. He will scratch at Tampa

Talk about an all-star cast.

I hope these cowards take show betting.

Nice to see that owners are already looking foward to August. 3yr olds should be running to make the Derby not running to make Pletcher feel good

Gulfstream will take prolly crap bets and then cry that they can't cover the purse

Rio Bonita - who was 4th in a 25K claimer on turf last time has defected - and the speedy Madman Diaries (off of a 16 length thumping by Flashpoint last out) is in.

As for the rest of the field ....

Gallant Dreams hasn't run since October when he won a MSW race with a 66 Beyer over a 42/1 shot.

Rocking Out was 3rd in a slow alw race last out.

Schoolyard Cat exits back to back 7th place finishes at the N1X Alw level

Rattlesnake Bridge is a 2nd time starter who won a maiden race with a 79 figure. Real nice 2yo sale horse from the Timonioum Sale last year.

Hey now its a nice field- Rocking Out and Rattlesnake Bridge are decent horses(too bad their owners and trainers would rather take the pay day)

Schoolyard Cat and Madman Diaries-what should they do? Its not like there are any Grade 3 Turf Races they could run in since they are both pretty much Turf horses:D

Both are coming off of Beyers in the 70's - and both still have their N1X condition.

If Uncle Mo is sound - he will beat them both by 15 under a double full nelson hold.

When I meant decent,I meant a decent 5 horse race for 2nd and 3rd LOL

interesting notes:

affirmed raced 13 times before the derby.
secretariat 12 times.

slew came in light with 6 but he won all of them by 3 lenghts+ (3 grade 1)


maybe that's why we can't get that triple crown.

Steve was trying to figure out a nickname for Uncle Mo fans on ATR earlier. How about "The Creepy Uncles"?

mo mo's

:tro::tro: