Kentucky Derby News: Uncle Mo Scratched

Written by Jake Thompson
Friday, 06 May 2011 17:05

One of the 2011 Kentucky Derby favorites has been scratched from the lineup today.

2010 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Uncle Mo will not be with the other 19 horses at post time of the 2011 Kentucky Derby after it was announced the 2nd betting choice was not fit enough to run.  Uncle Mo had reportedly been struggling with a reduced appetite and a decline in energy, and trainer Todd Pletcher decided today that it was in the best interests of everyone involved not to run the horse at Churchill Downs tomorrow.

Uncle Mo was considered the overwhelming favorite to win the Kentucky Derby after his Breeders’ Cup Juvenile victory and was close to even money in the early stages of prep races this year.  Unfortunately the horse started to lose steam after coming up 3rd in the Wood Memorial last time out and the poor effort is now being attributed to the same condition that knocked Uncle Mo out of the Kentucky Derby.  The mystery affliction was said to be causing Uncle Mo issues at that point and it really put a damper on the momentum being built by the Champagne Stakes and Timely Writer Stakes winner.

Uncle Mo jockey John Velazquez will still get a chance to ride in the Kentucky Derby after he was named the man to ride Animal Kingdom.  Robby Albarado was originally Animal Kingdom’s jockey but suffered a facial injury after being bucked off his horse yesterday.  Although Albarado was planning to ride Animal Kingdom regardless of the injury, the horse’s connections decided it was best to go with Velazquez now that he was available.

As much as the state of Uncle Mo played into the decision to scratch the promising 3-year-old, the post position draw might have had a lot to do with it as well.  Pletcher looked noticeably upset when Uncle Mo drew the #18 spot in the starting gate, and the horse would have likely struggled to cross over all those horses to get a front-running spot at the first turn.  Because of the fact that Uncle Mo was scratched after the draw for post positions, there will be no replacement and the Kentucky Derby will be ran with just 19 horses this year.