Uncle Mo , last year’s champion 2-year-old colt, breezed four furlongs in :50 2/5 over the Oklahoma Training Track July 28 at Saratoga.
With exercise rider Patti Krotenko aboard, Uncle Mo began galloping on the clubhouse turn, then picked it up approaching the half-mile pole. After completing the breeze, he galloped out five-eighths in 1:03 without encouragement.
The 3-year-old son of Indian Charlie is continuing to work toward a return to racing since he was sidelined prior to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) due to a liver disorder.
“It’s a steady progression,” said Todd Pletcher, who trains the colt for Mike Repole. “We stepped it up to a half today, and I particularly like the way he galloped out. His fitness level is more than I expected it to be. He was into it."
In Uncle Mo’s first workout since May, he covered three furlongs in an easy :38 2/5 July 22. The 2010 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr. I) winner returned to training on July 1 at Kenny Troutt's WinStar Farm near Versailles, Ky., where he had been recuperating. He arrived at Saratoga July 11 having gained back about 100 pounds, and has been galloping daily since then.
The goal for Uncle Mo is the seven-furlong Foxwoods King’s Bishop (gr. I) Aug. 27, which would be his first start since finishing third in the Wood Memorial (gr. I) at Aqueduct on April 9, his first loss after four straight wins.
