Todd Pletcher, fearing heavy weather later in the morning, made the decision to have
UNCLE MO work at 5:45a this morning as opposed to the originally scheduled 8:30a. The erstwhile Derby favorite provided the scant clocking audience with a spin described by DRF's Mike Welsch and the 3 Churchill clockers as 'good', 'easy', 'solid' and 'efficient'.
With John Velazquez aboard and in company with Repole barnmate Calibrachoa, Uncle Mo set up outside his workmate, and never had to be urged as he eased by the stakes-winning sprinter in the final sixteenth after the pair had caught up to and circumvented a set of Tom Proctor 2yo's.
Uncle Mo opened the 5f effort in :13.1 before quickening to a :25.2 quarter, :37.2 three-eighths, and stopping the work distance clock in 1:01.4. Although there was no official half mile quote, Welsch caught the eighth pole call at :48.4. The Indian Charlie colt galloped out to 6f in 1:15.3 with good energy and interest, before beginning to relax.
HAND CAM VIDEO OF STRETCH/GALLOP OUT
Todd Pletcher will conduct a 9:30a news briefing to discuss the work, and based on the reaction to the drill from the professional observers, he will likely be pleased with what he got from the Juvenile Champion. More on ATR after the Q+A.