Uncle Mo Upset

Uncle Mo finished third in the Wood Memorial where he went off as the 1-9 favorite. It was Uncle Mo Day at the Big A and fans were given bracelets in Uncle Mo's colors of orange and blue.

Those colors, however, while on the lead for most of the race, finished a disappointing third as Toby's Song split horses to take the lead a jump before the wire. Longshot Arthur's Tale was second while a length back orange and blue Uncle Mo took the show position.

What happened? Well it appears that he stopped so distance may be a factor. Indian Charlie, his sire, was not fond of going much longer than a mile and this race was a mile and an eighth. Did the jockey think he had the race won and eased up a bit too early? Perhaps.

It seems as if Uncle Mo made a nice acceleration, all under a hand ride, at the top of the stretch and stretched out his lead easily. I think the horses that caught him took both the horse and the jockey by surprise--or maybe not. It may be that jockey Velasquez, one of the best in the business, was under orders to hand ride only and not take too much out of the horse. Who knows?

Lots of comparisons are being made to Secretariat's Wood Memorial when he too came in third. And we all know how that played out. I personally think that comparison may be a bit of a stretch but I wouldn't rule out Uncle Mo in the Derby just yet. Rest assured we will hear a lot of explanations in the days to come.

So the Derby remains anyone's race. Dialed In looks like a strong contender and don't rule out Toby's Song, whose trainer, Graham Motion, is one of the best in the business.

One month to go and things are getting very interesting.