Uncle Mo drills five furlongs at Palm Meadows

Uncle Mo has continued training forwardly for his 3-year-old debut, which could come in the $100,000 Timely Writer, a one-turn mile race on March 12 at Gulfstream Park. The undefeated 2-year-old champion had his first five-furlong breeze this winter early Sunday morning at Palm Meadows, completing the distance in 1:01.40 before galloping out six furlongs in 1:14 under jockey John Velazquez.

“He went well and galloped out strong,” trainer Todd Pletcher said.

Velazquez said that he rarely worked Uncle Mo as a 2-year-old and this was his first time he’s breezed him this winter.

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“He went nice and easy, we didn’t want to over do it,” Velazquez said. “He worked by himself this time, because he went a little too fast in company last week. I just let him run a little bit down the lane, and he galloped out nicely.”

A decision as to where Uncle Mo will launch his 3-year-old campaign was expected to be announced by Pletcher and owner Mike Repole on Tuesday. The two options are either the Timely Writer or the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby. Both races are carded March 12.