Uncle Mo Connections Opt For Timely Writer Stakes At Gulfstream

Connections of hot Kentucky Derby favourite Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie) have opted to switch his seasonal debut from the Tampa Bay Derby to a newly-created race at Gulfstream called the Timely Writer Stakes. This bumps his 2011 kick-off back a day to the 11th of March.

The Timely Writer is an overnight stakes race for a $100,000 purse and trainer Todd Pletcher highlighted a similarity in the surface at Gulfstream to the one Uncle Mo has been working out on at Palm Meadows. Additionally, Palm Meadows is only a twenty minute van ride from Gulfstream whereas Uncle Mo would have to endure a four-hour drive to line up at Tampa Bay Downs.

There is a chance that Uncle Mo could wind up in the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby if the Timely Writer Stakes fails to fill.

Speaking to the Blood Horse Pletcher declared, “our number one goal and focus is to do what’s best for Uncle Mo… (He) has more than enough graded earnings to qualify for the Derby and we feel that the Timely Writer will set him up perfectly for the April 9 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct.”

Punters can expect Uncle Mo to carry extremely short odds when he lines up on March 11, as a number of top Florida-campaigned Derby favourites are opting to duck him and head for seemingly greener (and easier) pastures.

Uncle Mo is considered the 9/2 individual betting favourite in the Kentucky Derby Future Wagers Program.