It was another dazzling display by two-time Breeders' Cup winner Golden Pal (Uncle Mo), who successfully defended his GII Woodford S. title while establishing a new stakes record at Keeneland Saturday.
In contrast to his last start in the GIII Troy S. at Saratoga Aug. 5, where he was restrained off the pace after a slow dispatch before just scraping in, the 1-5 favorite blasted out to the front here. The Florida-bred led through an opening quarter in :21.25, cornered for home in the four path and wasn't for catching in the stretch following a scorching half mile in :43.42 to make it a perfect four-for-four over the Keeneland lawn. It was 1 1/2 lengths back to Oceanic (Constitution) in second. The final time of 1:01.39 established a new stakes record and was a full 1.73 faster than his final clocking over good going last year.
The 2020 GII Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner and last year's GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner had made only three previous attempts this term. After posting a career-high 110 Beyer in Keeneland's GII Shakertown S. Apr. 9, Golden Pal lost all chance after missing the break in Royal Ascot's G1 King's Stand S. June 14. He secured a head victory following an eventful trip at the Spa last out.
“Every time he runs, I get kind of nervous because he's so exceptional,” winning trainer Wesley Ward said. “We're real excited now to get on to the Breeders' Cup. We got our prep into him here on his home track at Keeneland, and 28 days from now we'll be ready to roll.”
Ward continued, “It's just like any other great athlete in any sport. Of all the horses I've ever trained–and fast ones–he's just unbelievable, just an extreme talent. The athleticism he has; he's just like a cat when he moves for such a big colt. He's got a brilliant mind to him as well. I really look forward to what he's going to be as a stallion. He's so smart in the barn, so quick and agile–I really look forward to his babies here.”
Pedigree Notes:
Golden Pal, one of 83 stakes/45 graded winners for leading sire Uncle Mo, is the first foal out of ultra-talented turf sprinter and 'TDN Rising Star' Lady Shipman, who came up just a neck short in her GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint bid at Keeneland in 2015. Lady Shipman failed to get into foal to Gun Runner for 2019 and her 2020 Justify foal died. The 10-year-old mare produced an Omaha Beach colt now named Lieutenant General in 2021 ($385,000 RNA at KEESEP) and an Uncle Mo filly named Luvwhatyoudo in 2022. She was bred back to Essential Quality. Lady Shipman's MSP full-sister Just Talkin brought $675,000 in foal to American Pharoah at the 2019 FTKNOV sale.
Saturday, Keeneland
WOODFORD S. PRESENTED BY FANDUEL-GII, $315,175, Keeneland, 10-8, 3yo/up, 5 1/2fT, 1:01.39 (NSR), fm.
1–GOLDEN PAL, 124, c, 4, by Uncle Mo
1st Dam: Lady Shipman (GSW-Can, MSW & GISP-USA,
$902,387), by Midshipman
2nd Dam: Sumthingtotalkabt, by Mutakddim
3rd Dam: Nannetta, by Falstaff
($325,000 RNA Ylg '19 KEESEP). O-Westerberg Limited,
Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Randall E
Lowe (FL); T-Wesley A. Ward; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr. $176,700.
Lifetime Record: GISW-uS & GSP-Eng, 12-8-2-0, $1,815,131.
Click for eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating:
A+. Click for free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Oceanic, 120, g, 5, Constitution–Rockin Girl, by Rock Hard
Ten. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($75,000 Ylg '18 FTKJUL).
O-Surfside Stables, LLC; B-DP Racing, LLC (KY); T-Jordan Blair.
$66,500.
3–Artemus Citylimits, 120, g, 5, Temple City–Dene Court, by
City Zip. ($25,000 RNA Wlg '17 KEENOV; $34,000 Ylg '18
FTKFEB; $60,000 RNA 4yo '21 FTKHRA; $85,000 4yo '21
FTIDEC). O-Paradise Farms Corp., David Staudacher & Michael
Dubb; B-Gunpowder Farms LLC (ON); T-Michael J. Maker.
$28,500.
Margins: 1HF, NO, HF. Odds: 0.37, 13.48, 7.24.
Also Ran: Bad Beat Brian-(DH), Gear Jockey-(DH), Charcoal, All in Sync, County Final, Cadamosto (Ire). Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
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