Uncle Mo has first gallop at Churchill
John Velazquez rides Uncle Mo to victory during the Juvenile race at the Breeders' Cup horse races at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. (Nov. 6, 2010) Credit: AP
LOUISVILLE -- Trainer Todd Pletcher said Kentucky Derby contender Uncle Mo "needs to have a good 19 days" if he's going to enter the Run for the Roses.
The 2010 2-year-old champion had his first gallop at Churchill Downs Tuesday, a day after he arrived from Belmont Park. The colt is coming off a disappointing third-place finish April 9 in the Wood Memorial, his first defeat in five career starts. Postrace tests discovered he was suffering from a gastrointestinal infection.
Pletcher said the horse is "doing very well" but is still far from a lock to run May 7 in the 137th Derby.
Pletcher and owner Mike Repole, a Nassau County resident, say Uncle Mo would have to be "100 percent" to compete in the 11/4-mile Derby.
Uncle Mo began his first full day under the Twin Spires with a 6:30 a.m. EDT gallop under exercise rider Hector Ramos. Pletcher said 6:30 would be Uncle Mo's typical training time until the Derby. He also trains Stay Thirsty, Repole's other possible Derby entrant. -- AP
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