GMB Racing's Mo Tom finally got a clean trip and showed just how good he can be June 25 in the $500,000 Ohio Derby Stakes at JACK ThistleDown Racino. Video: Ohio Derby
Under the guidance of jockey Javier Castellano for the first time in his career, the son of Uncle Mo raced ninth in the 10-horse field early in the 1 1/8-mile contest, moved up wide in the final turn, and pulled away to win by three lengths.
An outside, unhampered trip was a welcome sight for the colt after troubled runs in his last three races—a third in the Veterans Ford Risen Star (gr. II), a fourth in the Twinspiries.com Louisiana Derby (gr. II), and an eighth in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I)—for trainer Tom Amoss. Before that, he opened his 3-year-old season with a victory in the Lecomte (gr. III).
Another son of Uncle Mo, Mo Dont Know, set the early pace with fractions of :23.84 and :48.82 through a half-mile under pressure from Cocked and Loaded. Cocked and Loaded took over in the backstretch and held a half-length advantage through six furlongs in 1:13.60, but Mo Tom put a head in front at the top of the stretch and did not relent.
Adventist finished a clear second, 2 3/4 lengths ahead of 87-1 longshot Discreet Lover. The winner hit the wire in 1:51.82 after running a mile in 1:38.88.
Off as the even-money favorite, Mo Tom paid $4.20, $2.80, and $2.40 across the board. Adventist delivered $4.80 and $3.40, and Discreet Lover brought $14.80 to show.
Bred in Kentucky by Hargus and Sandra Sexton and Silver Fern Farm from the Rubiano mare Caroni, Mo Tom has a 4-0-3 record from nine starts and $591,526 in earnings.
Cocked and Loaded came in fourth, followed by Van Damme, Mo Dont No, Wild About Deb, Riding in the Wind, Decorated Soldier, and Thatlookonyerface to complete the order of finish.
