Grindstone
09-30-2011, 04:37 PM
Uncle Mo the Horse Racing Comeback Story of 2011?
I was in the Churchill Downs press box when Mike Repole and Todd Pletcher conducted their press conference to break the news that Uncle Mo would not run in the Derby. Every late Derby scratch is tough, but this news was particularly difficult for Repole and Pletcher to deliver considering Uncle Mo’s impressive win in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile the previous year. Since his win in the Juvenile, Uncle Mo had done enough to back up that win to remain the indicated horse in the Derby. He would certainly have been the favorite.
At the time of his scratch in the Derby, Uncle Mo had not been officially diagnosed. He was just not himself, and not training up for the Derby well. But no one was quite sure what was wrong with him. As I sat there in the press box and listened to the bad news I thought to myself that Uncle Mo would never race again. It seemed to me that he had already proven enough and he would have a decent stud career, such that attempting to train him back to health and racing him again would not be worth the risk of injury in the process.
Horse racing is not known for its great comeback stories. Certainly none in recent years, especially at the level at which Uncle Mo plays. These horses are so well bred, their value is only partially a function of their record on the track. Once proven a champion, the value of these horses at stud goes through the roof. The additional value of proving champion status again and again has marginal value. So coming back from a serious illness or injury to race again is rarely seen.
Uncle Mo trained well for and raced well in the Kings Bishop (Gr I) after his lengthy layoff. He raced near the front before being caught at the wire. This effort was strong, all things considered, even though he could not last.
Since the King’s Bishop, Uncle Mo has continued to train well. This past weekend, he turned in a blistering half mile in 46.57 seconds. He is training for the Kelso (Gr II), where he is likely to be a favorite amongst as decent but not strong field.
Should Uncle Mo run well, let alone win, the Kelso (Saturday at Belmont), there will be lots of discussion around his running in the Breeders’ Cup Classic in the fall. From champion two-year old, to late Derby scratch, back to graded stakes winner is already a decent horse racing comeback story. Does he even need the Breeders’ Cup Classic to stake his claim as one of the best horse racing comeback stories of all time?
I think he does. So-so comeback stories are about as memorable as World Series losers. If Uncle Mo’s handlers are already ok with racing him after his prolonged illness, they should be fine with positioning him in the Breeders’ Cup Classic simply for his shot at redemption. Running in another Breeders’ Cup race is just not the same. Winning a Breeders’ Cup race other than the Classic would be great but would not prove much about the greatness of the horse.
I was not a big fan of Uncle Mo in the Derby but I’m solidly behind him now. Horse racing could use some more comeback stories. I would like it if he could be another one.
I was in the Churchill Downs press box when Mike Repole and Todd Pletcher conducted their press conference to break the news that Uncle Mo would not run in the Derby. Every late Derby scratch is tough, but this news was particularly difficult for Repole and Pletcher to deliver considering Uncle Mo’s impressive win in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile the previous year. Since his win in the Juvenile, Uncle Mo had done enough to back up that win to remain the indicated horse in the Derby. He would certainly have been the favorite.
At the time of his scratch in the Derby, Uncle Mo had not been officially diagnosed. He was just not himself, and not training up for the Derby well. But no one was quite sure what was wrong with him. As I sat there in the press box and listened to the bad news I thought to myself that Uncle Mo would never race again. It seemed to me that he had already proven enough and he would have a decent stud career, such that attempting to train him back to health and racing him again would not be worth the risk of injury in the process.
Horse racing is not known for its great comeback stories. Certainly none in recent years, especially at the level at which Uncle Mo plays. These horses are so well bred, their value is only partially a function of their record on the track. Once proven a champion, the value of these horses at stud goes through the roof. The additional value of proving champion status again and again has marginal value. So coming back from a serious illness or injury to race again is rarely seen.
Uncle Mo trained well for and raced well in the Kings Bishop (Gr I) after his lengthy layoff. He raced near the front before being caught at the wire. This effort was strong, all things considered, even though he could not last.
Since the King’s Bishop, Uncle Mo has continued to train well. This past weekend, he turned in a blistering half mile in 46.57 seconds. He is training for the Kelso (Gr II), where he is likely to be a favorite amongst as decent but not strong field.
Should Uncle Mo run well, let alone win, the Kelso (Saturday at Belmont), there will be lots of discussion around his running in the Breeders’ Cup Classic in the fall. From champion two-year old, to late Derby scratch, back to graded stakes winner is already a decent horse racing comeback story. Does he even need the Breeders’ Cup Classic to stake his claim as one of the best horse racing comeback stories of all time?
I think he does. So-so comeback stories are about as memorable as World Series losers. If Uncle Mo’s handlers are already ok with racing him after his prolonged illness, they should be fine with positioning him in the Breeders’ Cup Classic simply for his shot at redemption. Running in another Breeders’ Cup race is just not the same. Winning a Breeders’ Cup race other than the Classic would be great but would not prove much about the greatness of the horse.
I was not a big fan of Uncle Mo in the Derby but I’m solidly behind him now. Horse racing could use some more comeback stories. I would like it if he could be another one.