Uncle Mo

In the same way which astronomical stars largely form in groups, so too did the 'TDN Rising Stars' this past Sunday. Not one, not two, but three leading ladies emerged from the nebulae of Del Mar and Saratoga, each with her own brand of brilliance. Chief among the splendor, and the last to show her shine, was Justique (Justify), whose brilliant turn of foot and effortless dismissal of rivals summoned forth comparisons to another glorious 'Rising Star' in her hayday--a John Shirreffs masterpiece, Hall of Famer Zenyatta (Street Cry {Ire})....

Mo Strike (Uncle Mo) was the second 8-1 shot to win a graded event at Saratoga Saturday, taking his record to two-for-two with a victory in the GII Sanford S. Away in good order from the six-hole, the bay rushed up to contest the pace alongside Curly Jack (Good Magic) with 'TDN Rising Star' Andiamo A Firenze (Speightstown) to his outside through a :22.59 opening quarter. They ran three abreast on the backstretch run, registering a :45.94 half-mile. Great Navigator (Sea Wizard) tried to break through that trio in early...

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here is one horse of interest for Sunday running at Fukushima Racecourse: Sunday, July 10, 2022 5th-FKS, ¥13,400,000 ($98k), Newcomers, 2yo, 2000mT PSY BREAKER (c, 2, Uncle Mo--Downside Scenario, by Scat Daddy), a $400K purchase out of last year's Keeneland September Sale, is a half-brother to 'TDN Rising Star' Mutasaabeq (Into...

BASHFORD MANOR S., $173,000, Churchill Downs, 7-4, 2yo, 6f, 1:09.25, ft. 1--GULFPORT, 120, c, 2, by Uncle Mo 1st Dam: Fame and Fortune, by Unbridled's Song 2nd Dam: Stop Traffic, by Cure the Blues 3rd Dam: Save My Soul, by I'ma Hell Raiser 'TDN Rising Star' ($275,000 Ylg '21 FTKJUL). 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. O-L. William & Corinne Heiligbrodt, Jackpot Farm & Whispering Oaks Farm LLC; B-Diamond Creek Farm (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen; J-Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. $107,070. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $176,530. *1/2 to Favor (Pioneerof the Nile), GSP, $116,500. 2--Owen's...

Donegal Racing and Repole Stable's Mo Donegal (Uncle Mo) exited his GI Belmont S. victory with bone bruising and will be out of training for 60 days, according to a press release distributed by his owners Saturday. Jerry Crawford, CEO of Donegal Racing, and Mike Repole said that they will share Mo Donegal's progress as he continues to be evaluated. The GII Remsen S. and GII Wood Memorial S. winner delivered a three-length victory in the final leg of the Triple Crown for trainer Todd Pletcher following a rallying fifth...

They may just have five 2-year-olds in their budding stable, but John Bellinger and Brian Coelho of BC Stables are off to a fast start under the expert guidance of trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Their third starter became their first winner and what a winner she was! The stable's lone filly Summer Promise (Uncle Mo) romped to 'TDN Rising Stardom' in her debut at Churchill Downs Saturday. "She is a special filly," said Bellinger, who was in the winner's circle Saturday with his wife Gina. "Wayne was in Ohio for...

It looks like legendary trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who won the GI Kentucky Oaks this year with Secret Oath (Arrogate), may have another star filly in the making in his barn. The Hall of Famer saddled well-bred juvenile filly Summer Promise (Uncle Mo) to an impressive debut win at Churchill Downs Saturday. Dispatched as the second choice at 3-1, the $500,000 KEESEP was away well from her rail draw and seized the early advantage as heavy favorite Key of Life (Mo Town) missed the break, trailing the field early. Summer...

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency 2nd-CD, $120K, Msw, 2yo, 5f, 1:14 p.m. Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas saddles a well-related firster in SUMMER PROMISE (Uncle Mo). Out of GISW Dream of Summer (Siberian Summer), the $500,000 KEESEP purchase is a half to Grade I-winning sire Creative Cause (Giant's Causeway), GISW Vexatious (Giant's Causeway) and MGSW & GISP stallion Destin (Giant's Causeway). TJCIS PPs

4th-Churchill Downs, $120,955, Msw, 6-19, 2yo, 5 1/2f, 1:04.77, ft, 3/4 length. MO STRIKE (c, 2, Uncle Mo--Featherbed {SW & GISP, $227,904}, by Smart Strike), a $325,000 OBS April acquisition off a :10 flat breeze, was installed the public's tepid 5-2 pick Sunday among a strong-looking bunch. Off alertly from the far outside, the bay sat perched three deep early and sidled up to the pacesetter after a :22.82 opening quarter. He took a narrow lead into a :46.35 half, and fended off second timer Summonyourcourage (Practical Joke) to prevail...

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency PRICEY UNCLE MO DEBUTS IN ARCADIA 9th-SA, $67K, Msw, 3yo/up, 6 1/2f, 8:12 p.m. John Shirreffs unveils C R K Stable's $950,000 KEESEP acquisition CLUTCH HITTER (Uncle Mo) in this event. His unraced dam Bella Rafaela (Smart Strike) is a half-sister to GISW Twirling Candy (Candy Ride {Arg}) and GSWs Dubai Sky (Candy Ride {Arg}) and Ethnic Dance (Tribal Rule). TJCIS PPs

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency PLETCHER PAIR DEBUT AT MONMOUTH 6th-MTH, $57.5K, Msw, 2yo, 5f, 2:30 p.m. Todd Pletcher unveils a pair of juvenile colts in MAJOR DUDE (Bolt d'Oro) and DELEGATED (Uncle Mo). Spendthrift Farm went to $550,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Sale to acquire Major Dude, who hails from the first crop of their MGISW stallion Bolt d'Oro. The bay is out of SP Mary Rita (Distorted Humor) and his third dam is Hall of Famer Personal Ensign. His Stablemare Delegated is a Repole Stable homebred out...

The winner's circle after Saturday's GI Belmont S. surely rivaled any in Triple Crown history in terms of population after Mo Donegal (Uncle Mo) crossed the wire three lengths to the good. In addition to Mike Repole and his substantial crew of family and friends, the celebration contained the massive partnership of Donegal Racing, which brings all of its investors along for the ride with every horse it purchases. Tuesday, the CEO of Donegal, Jerry Crawford, sat down with Joe Bianca and Bill Finley of the TDN Writers' Room presented...