Uncle Mo Fires Bullet Work at Palm Meadows

The pride of the Todd Pletcher barn worked five panels over the Palm Meadows surface on Sunday morning as Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie) was putting the finishing touches on a progressive workout regiment that is set to get him ready for next Saturday’s Timely Writer Stakes at Gulfstream Park. The three year-old bay worked with stablemate and fellow Derby Trail pursuant Stay Thirsty (Bernardini), who ran a distant fifth to Uncle Mo in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Churchill last November.

Uncle Mo had originally been pointed at the Tampa Bay Derby on March 12 but connections have opted for the 1m ungraded Timely Writer at Gulfstream, which is just a twenty minute van ride from his Palm Meadows base.

A full line-up of fledgling and established stars were working for Pletcher on Sunday with the likes of Brethren (Distorted Humor), Rule (Roman Ruler) and the now-infamous Life At Ten (Malibu Moon). Brethren is expected to take Uncle Mo’s place in the Tampa Bay Derby, which is considered to be the key prep-race for the Florida Derby.

Opting for the ungraded Timely Writer will be viewed as a playing it safe type of option as a number of high-profile contenders with solid two year-old records have been absolutely stuffed when stretching out to two-turn races in their three year-old campaigns.  

Uncle Mo is considered to be the individual favourite to win this year's Kentucky Derby with bookmakers floating him around 9/2 while the "All Other" selection continues to trade as the 5/2 favourite.