Zipse’s Kentucky Derby Daily – Day 53
There were
two races in Florida Saturday that served as preps for the 2011 Kentucky Derby,
or at least that is what the connections of the winners are hoping, and the two
stakes races provided decidedly different results.
In South
Florida, it was all about Uncle Mo. The hype machine has been turned on full
blast for Uncle Mo since he made it to the races last summer, so all eyes were
on the unbeaten champion when he used Gulfstream Park’s brand new Timely Writer
Stakes as a launching pad to his three-year-old season. Yes, I know that I am
part of that hype machine, but what can I say … I believe in this colt’s talent
big time. That talent was evident Saturday, as Mo sauntered through the one
mile race as if he was a Gulfstream Park tourist, taking his time to see the
sights.
What did we
learn in the Timely Writer? Not too much. The race was easy. We still do not
know how he will hold up against top class competition, running distances
longer than he has before, and with a short rest between races. What we did
learn though was positive. We now know that Uncle Mo has transitioned nicely
from the juvenile races of the fall, through the winter, and is ready to
reclaim his place as the king of his foal crop this spring. The 22 and change final quarter
points that out nicely. There will be many questions for Mo to answer in the
next three months, but so far, so good.I should
note that I thought runner-up Rattlesnake Bridge ran a fine race and is one to
watch down the road. Running against Uncle Mo in only your second lifetime
start can’t be easy, and the son of Tapit made the best of a tough situation.
He was in receipt of six pounds from the Kentucky Derby favorite, but the
complete lack of pace did him no favors. He was clearly overmatched by Mo, but
he did give him a brief test, and proved much the best of the rest. I look
forward to see what Rattlesnake Bridge can do next time without the champ to
worry about.
Meanwhile
up the Gulf Coast, there was another heavily favored, unbeaten, Todd Pletcher
colt to headline the Tampa Bay Derby. This one did not fare so well. After
being pushed well wide on the first turn, Brethren had little left when the
real running began down the Tampa Bay Downs stretch. As Brethren faltered to
finish third, two longshots continued to battle down the wire. 86-1 shot
Crimson Knight briefly took the lead, but could not hold off the rally of 43-1
chance, Watch Me Go.
Watch Me Go’s
win set off a wild celebration in the Tampa Bay Downs’ winner’s circle. Owned
by Gilbert Campbell, trained by Kathleen O’Connell, and ridden by Luis Garcia,
the son of West Acres was a victory for the locals. Chants of “We’re going to
the Kentucky Derby!” continued for at least ten minutes, as everyone connected
to the colt basked in victory.Making his
fourth consecutive race at Tampa, after running his first five races at Calder,
Watch Me Go won his 4th race in 9 tries, including 2 for 3 this
year. In his last race he finished third to Brethren in the Sam F Davis Stakes,
but on Saturday his relentless rally from the middle of the pack proved too
tough for the field. Whether he can make a serious impact on the first Saturday
in May, is a prediction I am not confident in making, but seeing the joy after
the victory put a smile on my face, and just like Uncle Mo, Watch Me Go has
punched his ticket to Louisville.
[You can check out video replays of both races on HRN's new 2011 Kentucky Derby Trail Replay Wall]
Can't get enough of Uncle Mo? Check out all there is to see on the Horse Racing Nation Uncle Mo's Corner!
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[You can check out video replays of both races on HRN's new 2011 Kentucky Derby Trail Replay Wall]
Can't get enough of Uncle Mo? Check out all there is to see on the Horse Racing Nation Uncle Mo's Corner!
