Uncle Mo closes KDFW as 3-1 favorite

Uncle Mo swept the Kentucky Derby Future Wager as the favorite (Adam Coglianese Photography)

Repole Stable’s unbeaten champion UNCLE MO (Indian Charlie), who has
yet to be challenged in his four career races, was bet down to 3-1
favoritism in the final betting pool of Churchill Downs’ Kentucky Derby
Future Wager (KDFW). In the process, the Todd Pletcher trainee became
the first individual interest to rule all three pools of the Future
Wager.

Uncle Mo has raced only once this season, taking the Timely Writer S.
at Gulfstream Park by 3 3/4 lengths on March 12 while going a mile.
Scheduled to make his final appearance before the May 7 Kentucky Derby
(G1) in next Saturday’s Wood Memorial S. (G1) at Aqueduct, the bay colt
will try nine furlongs for the first time in that $1 million contest.

Holy Bull (G3) winner DIALED IN (Mineshaft) was listed at 10-1 on the
morning line for the Future Wager following his subsequent second to
older stablemate Equestrio (Elusive Quality) in a March 6 optional
claiming event, but redeemed himself and then some with a head score in
Sunday’s Florida Derby (G1). A 10-1 risk when the starting gate opened
for the race at 5:46 p.m. (EDT), the Nick Zito trainee’s odds dropped
sharply to 5-1 second favoritism when wagering in the pool ended.
Churchill Downs officials actually added five minutes to the pool
because the results of the Florida Derby were declared official so close
to the end of the pool.

Grade 2 winners TO HONOR AND SERVE (Bernardini) and SOLDAT (War
Front) also competed in the Florida Derby, with the former finishing
another 6 3/4 lengths back in third. Soldat came in fifth, a total of 10
1/4 lengths behind Dialed In. That resulted in To Honor and Serve
remaining at his morning-line odds of 15-1 while Soldat finished the
Future Wager as the 17-1 seventh pick.

The Mutuel Field, or “All Others” betting interest, closed as the 8-1
third choice, followed by impressive San Felipe S. (G2) scorer PREMIER
PEGASUS (Fusaichi Pegasus) at 9-1 and Rebel S. (G2) romper THE FACTOR
(War Front) at 10-1. Premier Pegasus is scheduled to make his final
Kentucky Derby prep in next Saturday’s Santa Anita Derby (G1), while The
Factor is on course for the Arkansas Derby (G1) in two weeks.

In accordance with KDFW rules, wagering was suspended on COMMA TO THE
TOP (Bwana Charlie) before the Future Wager opened when his connections
informed officials he would not be going to the Kentucky Derby.