Saratoga: Uncle Mo takes another step towards start in King's Bishop

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Uncle Mo continued to make strong progress toward a possible comeback start in the King’s Bishop Stakes, working five furlongs in a bullet 1:00.34 seconds while in company with Turbo Compressor.

With John Velazquez up shortly after 6:00 a.m., Uncle Mo finished about a length in front of stablemate Turbo Compressor, the recent winner of the Curlin Stakes, who was timed in 1:00.56 seconds.

Uncle Mo’s splits were 24.20 and 35.80, and he galloped out six furlongs in 1:14 seconds over a fast main track.

Uncle Mo had originally been scheduled to work Monday, but trainer Todd Pletcher called an audible due to significant rainfall forecast to arrive in the area by Sunday afternoon and continue through Monday.

“It’s part of the deal,” said Pletcher. “You try to keep an eye on those things…you know, sometimes when you are on a tight schedule, you have no choice. When you have to go, you have to go.”

Also among the battalion of Pletcher-trained workers Sunday was Jim Dandy winner Stay Thirsty, who was out in the first set for an easy half-mile breeze in 51.98 seconds under Javier Castellano; and Sidney’s Candy, the Fourstardave winner, who went a half-mile in 48.89 seconds after the renovation break.

Across the street at Oklahoma, Winter Memories, the impressive winner of the Lake George Stakes, tuned up for a probable start in the Lake Placid (Aug. 21) by breezing a half-mile in 49.78 second on the turf course for Jimmy Toner.