Uncle Mo has infection; should be OK for Kentucky Derby
Turns out that Uncle Mo had a tummy ache when he finished third as the heavy favorite in the Wood Memorial, the champ's first defeat in five starts, according to a release Thursday from trainer Todd Pletcher and owner Mike Repole. But all systems are go for the Kentucky Derby on May 7, for which Mo was the heavy favorite before the Wood.
After setting the early pace in the Wood, Mo's first start at a mile-and-an-eighth, he began to pull clear turning for home, but shortened stride in the final furlong and was passed by Arthur's Tale and eventual winner Toby's Corner. The loss was compared to Secretariat's upset in the 1973 Wood, when he finished third and was later found to be suffering from an abscess under his lip.
"Maybe (Uncle Mo) has an abscess on his tooth," Repole, who watched the movie "Secretariat" the night before the Wood, said after the race. "I'm going to check it later."
Tuesday, Uncle Mo underwent a battery of tests on his blood and internal organs. The results showed that he has a gastro-intestinal infection, which is being treated and should not prevent him from running for the roses.
"Although it is not my standard practice to share a horseβs examination results with anyone other than the owner, I feel that Uncle Moβs disappointing performance in the Wood Memorial warrants an explanation," Pletcher said. "After his three extremely impressive starts as a 2-year-old and his dominant performance in the Timely Writer in March, the Wood Memorial was an uncharacteristically poor effort.
"On Tuesday, we did a number of tests and pulled some blood work. Late yesterday, both Mike and I spoke with the vets, who concluded that Uncle Mo has a GI tract infection, and we began treatment immediately. The vets also concluded that Uncle Mo is perfectly capable of returning to full training while the treatment continues. He will ship to Churchill Downs on April 18 and will have two works before May 7.
"If I do not feel that Uncle Mo is 100 percent for the Kentucky Derby, both Mike and I agree that he will not run. My main focus is to return Uncle Mo to optimum health in the next 23 days, and I am optimistic that we can accomplish this goal."
Repole said, "I am relieved that the vets were able to find a reason why we got a disappointing performance from Uncle Mo in the Wood Memorial. I, like all racing fans, hope that Uncle Mo will be 100 percent on May 7 and in the starting gate at Churchill Downs.
"Though it has been a lifelong dream to run and win the Kentucky Derby, if Uncle Mo is not 100 percent, we will skip the Derby and go right to the Preakness. I have the utmost confidence in Todd, his staff and Moβs team of veterinarians. We all appreciate everyoneβs concern and care for this wonderfully gifted champion.β
Turns out that Uncle Mo had a tummy ache when he finished third as the heavy favorite in the Wood Memorial, the champ's first defeat in five starts, according to a release Thursday from trainer Todd Pletcher and owner Mike Repole. But all systems are go for the Kentucky Derby on May 7, for which Mo was the heavy favorite before the Wood.
After setting the early pace in the Wood, Mo's first start at a mile-and-an-eighth, he began to pull clear turning for home, but shortened stride in the final furlong and was passed by Arthur's Tale and eventual winner Toby's Corner. The loss was compared to Secretariat's upset in the 1973 Wood, when he finished third and was later found to be suffering from an abscess under his lip.
"Maybe (Uncle Mo) has an abscess on his tooth," Repole, who watched the movie "Secretariat" the night before the Wood, said after the race. "I'm going to check it later."
Tuesday, Uncle Mo underwent a battery of tests on his blood and internal organs. The results showed that he has a gastro-intestinal infection, which is being treated and should not prevent him from running for the roses.
"Although it is not my standard practice to share a horseβs examination results with anyone other than the owner, I feel that Uncle Moβs disappointing performance in the Wood Memorial warrants an explanation," Pletcher said. "After his three extremely impressive starts as a 2-year-old and his dominant performance in the Timely Writer in March, the Wood Memorial was an uncharacteristically poor effort.
"On Tuesday, we did a number of tests and pulled some blood work. Late yesterday, both Mike and I spoke with the vets, who concluded that Uncle Mo has a GI tract infection, and we began treatment immediately. The vets also concluded that Uncle Mo is perfectly capable of returning to full training while the treatment continues. He will ship to Churchill Downs on April 18 and will have two works before May 7.
"If I do not feel that Uncle Mo is 100 percent for the Kentucky Derby, both Mike and I agree that he will not run. My main focus is to return Uncle Mo to optimum health in the next 23 days, and I am optimistic that we can accomplish this goal."
Repole said, "I am relieved that the vets were able to find a reason why we got a disappointing performance from Uncle Mo in the Wood Memorial. I, like all racing fans, hope that Uncle Mo will be 100 percent on May 7 and in the starting gate at Churchill Downs.
"Though it has been a lifelong dream to run and win the Kentucky Derby, if Uncle Mo is not 100 percent, we will skip the Derby and go right to the Preakness. I have the utmost confidence in Todd, his staff and Moβs team of veterinarians. We all appreciate everyoneβs concern and care for this wonderfully gifted champion.β
