Uncle Mo back to winning ways after he snubbed Jackson Bend to win the Kelso Handicap at Belmont Park
It is safe to say now that Uncle Mo is back, after his emphatic victory in the Grade 2 $200,000 Kelso Handicap on 1 October, 2011, at Belmont Park as the heavily favoured returned to the winning circle after a long time defeating Jackson Bend by three lengths.
Under jockey John Velazquez, Uncle Mo broke out from the gates well, and looked comfortable as he grabbed the lead straight away.
The 3-year-old Todd Pletcher trained for owner Mike Repole, Uncle Mo sped things up from the get go as he went past the quarter mile mark in 23.47 seconds, keeping things under control till the half mile mark which he covered in 46.03 seconds.
Sent off as the 3 to 5 favourite, Uncle Mo was up against older horses for the first time, and the effort was absolutely sublime.
It was expected that the 4-year-old Nicholas Zito trained colt, Jackson Bend will pose a considerable threat to Uncle Mo, and as expected on the turn Jackson Bend targeted Uncle Mo and advanced like a freight train with ominous speed.
Jackson Bend seriously challenged Uncle Mo for the lead, and tried to draw alongside approaching the quarter pole, but Uncle Mo had been training very well since he got nosed out by Caleb’s Posse in his comeback race.
It didn’t look as if Uncle Mo was going to fend off Jackson Bend’s threatening run, and it looked like a King’s Bishop repeat as far as Uncle Mo was concerned.
When it was needed the most, Uncle Mo found another gear with the memory of the King’s Bishop in his mind, he took off and dug in well when asked and pulled clear through the lane to hit wire and complete the 1 mile distance in 1 minute and 32.82 seconds.
To see Uncle Mo did what he did with Jackson Bend make fans nostalgic, and that’s what makes the son of Indian Charlie so special.
Given any distance from 6 furlongs to 1 ½ miles, Uncle Mo can do it and with speed he’s got the mind to go with it, and entering winner’s circle must be so special.
Uncle Mo improved his career record to 5 wins out of 7 starts, with a single runner up finish and a long third place finish, and the colt has now earned $1,606,000.
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