How small will the Timely Writer field be?

[NTamm1215]

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

[justindew]

Four entrants and then a scratch is my bet.

[Alan07]

Walkover.
No Betting.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Among those who said they were considering entering the one-mile Timely Writer are trainers Chad Brown with Free Entry, Anthony Pecoraro with I’m Steppin’ It Up, and Carlos Martin with Schoolyard Cat.

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.

[Travis Stone]

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?

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

But will Uncle Mo run much faster on Saturday than he would in a one mile workout by himself or with a workmate?

Yes.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

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.

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

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.

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.

[richard burch]

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.

[OldDog]

Originally Posted by richard burch

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.

http://www.drf.com/blogs/uncle-mo-an...other-war-pass