4/26 DERBY NOTEBOOK: Uncle Mo goes well; Factor, Gusto out..
 

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.

Thanks for the update!

Sounds like he is doing better. Good to hear.

With The Factor out, there is a distinct chance that Martin Garcia will replace Victor Espinoza on MIDNIGHT INTERLUDE.

After Victor's fight with Bob's wife last year I didn't think he would ever ride for him again. Garicia is his main man.

Not to mention Espinoza's frank opinion of the steward's ruling in the Game On Dude-Big Cap inquiry.

Still, replacing Espinoza at this point would bring nothing but bad karma, and arguably it was off the strength of Espinoza's stretch riding that Midnight Interlude even has a Derby berth to begin with.

Dominguez on Stay Thirsty.

http://www.drf.com/news/kentucky-der...minguez-aboard

Thanks - the hand cam was helpful. Track looks like it was floated, anybody know?

What a shock. :rolleyes:

The only doubt here was whether Velazquez would ride Uncle Mo or Stay Thirsty if Uncle Mo didn't start. This is actually more of an endorsement that Uncle Mo will run in the Derby than anything else.

I don't think Dominguez will be getting a Derby win this year.

That's true, but they could still have a contingency plan in place giving the mount to Johnny, if Mo has a setback.

Either way, Stay Thirsty is hopeless.

Wait wait? Let's start the threads now on how bad he is......................:rolleyes:

Can you imagine an overhyped guy like Dominguez got the ride over BO-RAIL? :rolleyes:

Whats the weather like out there on that limb?

Yeah, I'm sure that is exactly how it went down, it was Calvin's choice. I am sure Pletcher and Repole spent the entire morning trying to beg Borel to ride Stay Thirsty and Calvin instead opted to hold out for a horse that probably won't even run in the Derby. Brilliant. :rolleyes:

Mike Smith on Twinspired.

I am saying that Borel was never going to ride Stay Thirsty and it was certainly not his decision. Dominguez has the mount unless Uncle Mo does not start in which case Velazquez will likely get the mount. And while I have not read up on it, I will take a wild guess that if Borel worked Stay Thirsty instead of Dominguez it is probably because Borel is at Churchill this week and Dominguez is not. I think it is really funny that you think the choice was Borel's! Have to love the Botards!

Don't get me wrong, I want Borel in the race but not for the reason you do. I am salavating at the real possibility that any horse Borel rides will take the stupidest of the stupid money bet into the Derby.