Caleb's Posse snatches King's Bishop victory from Uncle Mo

Saturday's $250,000

King's Bishop S. (G1) at Saratoga was billed as the return celebration for

champion Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie), who has been recovering from a serious liver

ailment since being scratched the day before the May 7 Kentucky Derby (G1).

Instead, CALEB'S POSSE (Posse) came flying at the end of the seven-furlong

sprint to just get his nose down on the wire and spoil the early festivities for

owner Mike Repole and trainer Todd Pletcher, who would go on to win the Travers

S. (G1) with Stay Thirsty (Bernardini).

It was horseman Donnie Von Hemel who got to celebrate the King's Bishop,

though, as he led his bay charge into the winner's circle for McNeill Stables

LLC and Cheyenne Stables LLC.

"We were hopeful a speed duel would develop in front (so) we'd have a

chance," Von Hemel said. "Rajiv (showed) the ultimate patience, waiting. He

swung out turning for home, and you could see he was going to make his run.

Meanwhile, Uncle Mo was biding his time in fourth before swinging wide into

the lane. Grabbing command in the stretch, the bay appeared a clear winner for a

moment, but Caleb's Posse was beginning his run from the back of the field.

Jockey Rajiv Marah got busy on Caleb's Posse and the pair just caught Uncle Mo

in the shadow of the wire to stop the clock in 1:21 2/5.

"My horse is a closer. He broke well, but he wanted to settle back a little

bit," Maragh explained. "I tried to time my run right, and I was fortunate to

get up in time. It was close (at the finish). I felt like I got it, but you

never know, you never can tell.

"He's a good horse, he makes me look good. I think the thing is just letting

him find his stride, just finish strong and let him get the chance to run his

race. He comes with a strong kick."

Caleb's Posse was worth $13.80, $5 and $3.50 as the near 6-1 third choice,

while Uncle Mo gave back $3.40 and $2.80 as the even-money favorite.

Caleb's Posse was on the Triple Crown Trail earlier this season, but just

like Uncle Mo bypassed the classic events following a 12th-place run in the

Arkansas Derby (G1). Von Hemel gave his pupil a two-month break before brining

him back in the Ohio Derby (G3). The move paid dividends as Caleb's Posse scored

in that 1 1/16-mile contest by 1 3/4 lengths. He finished fourth next in the

Iowa Derby (G3), and cut back to 6 1/2 furlongs last out when posting a

four-length win in the Amsterdam S. (G2).

Bred in Kentucky by Don C. McNeill, Caleb's Posse began his career with a

second in his debut over the Polytrack at Arlington Park before breaking his

maiden on that same synthetic surface. He made his stakes bow a third-place run

in the Arlington-Washington Futurity (G3) then captured his next two against

allowance rivals at Keeneland and in the Clever Trevor S. at Remington Park.

Caleb's Posse closed out his juvenile season with his first unplaced run in the

Springboard Mile, but returned a month later to add the Smarty Jones S. to his

resume.

A sixth in the Southwest S. (G3) and a second in the Rebel S. (G2) followed

before Caleb's Posse tried the Arkansas Derby. His time off after that race has

done him well, and the sophomore's career record now reads 14-7-2-1, $558,304.