[Travis Stone]

Uncle Mo is quoted at the bottom...

Kentucky Derby Favorite Uncle Mo Targets Timely Writer

As First Choice For Three-Year-Old Debut

Whitestone, NY – February 22, 2011 - The connections of undefeated two-year-old champion Uncle Mo announced today that their first choice for the Kentucky Derby favorite's three-year-old debut will be the March 12 Timely Writer at Gulfstream Park.

Following a strong five-furlong breeze on Sunday at Palm Meadows, trainer Todd Pletcher and owner Mike Repole said Uncle Mo would point toward the Timely Writer, with the second option being the Grade II Tampa Bay Derby on the same day if the former race failed to fill.

“The Gulfstream Park surface is very similar to the surface that Mo’s training on every day at Palm Meadows” Pletcher said. “There’s also the advantage of a twenty-minute van ride to Gulfstream as opposed to a four-hour ride to Tampa Bay. Mo’s been training exceptionally well since his return and I am very confident and comfortable with either the Timely Writer or the Tampa Bay Derby."

Prior to defeating a stellar field of 10 in the Nov. 6 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs, the talented colt captured the prestigious Grade l Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park on Oct. 9. That victory was preceded by an astonishing 14-length maiden win at Saratoga Race Course in August of 2010. His perfect three-for-three record (and a combined winning margin of 23 ¼ lengths) earned him a 2010 Eclipse Award for Champion Two-Year-Old Colt.

“Our number one goal and focus is to do what's best for Uncle Mo to have a very healthy and successful three-year-old campaign,” Repole said. “Mo has more than enough graded earnings to qualify for the Derby and we both feel that the Timely Writer will set him up perfectly for the April 9 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct en route to a start in the Kentucky Derby on May 7. In racing, there’s no one’s opinion I trust more than Todd Pletcher’s, and just knowing how excited he is about the way Mo’s training is very encouraging. With the race more than two and half weeks away, hopefully this will give Mo’s fans ample time to make arrangements to watch his three-year-old debut.”

When pressed for comments on the decision, Uncle Mo replied, “I just want to race. Either Gulfstream Park or Tampa Bay is fine with me. I hope my friends come out and support me.”