Uncle Mo Set As 2011 Breeders’ Cup Classic Favorite, But Is He Good Enough To Win?

By Author: Lee Lane-Edgar
Total Articles: 365
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The horse that everyone expected to go favored in the 2011 Kentucky Derby will likely go favored in this year’s edition of the $5 million Breeder’s Cup Classic. Of course we are talking about Uncle Mo, and it was only a few months ago when it seemed like we might never get to see him given the opportunity to showcase the potential his big win in the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile seemed to suggest he had. He made a big comeback in the King’s Bishop, narrowly losing by a nose, and then came roaring back with a huge win in the Grade 2 Kelso mile earning a 118 Beyer Speed Figure. He will be entering the Classic with the best last race Speed Figure.
After drawing post 12, he was installed as the morning line favorite by Mike Watchmaker of the Daily Racing Form at 3-1. Mike Battaglia of Churchill Downs made Uncle Mo the 5-2 favorite in the field of 13. The 12 post isn’t the most ideal draw, but it is better than the rail, according to trainer Todd Pletcher, simply because it gives the jockey more options to deal with various scenarios as the race unfolds.
He has shown that he is a tremendous talent, but still ...
... has yet to prove himself beyond 1 1/16 miles. Of course he does have the advantage of having had a great race over the very track over which he will be contending for the Classic. Some horses have been known not to take especially well to the Churchill Downs surface.
He will be facing formidable rivals such as Flat Out, the winner of both the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup and the Grade 2 Suburban Handicap, as well as Havre de Grace, who has won five out of the last six races including an 8 ¼ length win in the Grade 1 Beldame. Havre de Grace, who beat males in the Grade 1 Woodward at Saratoga, could vie for favoritism with Uncle Mo but the Juvenile Champion has so much expectation placed on his shoulders, that the promise of greatness will surely drive his odds down in the Classic.
His stable mate Stay Thirsty is somewhat of a forgotten horse, even when he was outshining his more celebrated stable mate by winning the Grade 2 Jim Dandy and then the Grade 1 Travers Stakes. Stay Thirsty is a very talented horse and should not be underestimated amidst all the Uncle Mo hoopla. He has shown he can get the 1 ¼ distance just fine. The only problem is that his Speed Figures are a little on the light side to win the Classic. He will have to come with his best.
According to Pletcher, Uncle Mo is doing as well as he could possibly be doing. He is in good hands with a capable trainer and capable jockey. Now we have to see if the stars line up for him and if he can go down in racing history.
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