Uncle Mo gets down to business in Palm Meadows work

Kentucky Derby favorite Uncle Mo stepped up the pace a little more on Sunday morning, working five furlongs in 1:00.60 at Palm Meadows in company with Todd Pletcher-trained stablemate Stay Thirsty.

With regular rider John Velazquez aboard, Uncle Mo posted splits of 24.60 and 36.80 for the opening three furlongs before shading 24 for the final quarter and galloping out six furlongs in 1:13, according to the Palm Meadows clocker.

KENTUCKY DERBY NEWS: Track all the 3-year-olds on the Triple Crown trail

“He went very well,” said Velazquez. “He sat behind Stay Thirsty, got very comfortable, and then I let him do it from the quarter pole home and gallop out strong. He’s doing well and feels pretty fit, but you never know until they run.”

Uncle Mo, who has not started since sewing up his Eclipse Award as champion 2-year-old in 2010 with his easy victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, is being pointed for the $100,000 Timely Writer at a mile here on March 12 for his 3-year-old debut.