Uno Mas Modelo splashes to victory in Bet on Sunshine Stakes

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Uno Mas Modelo gave owner Ron Paolucci a happy head start to Breeders’ Cup weekend when splashing to a 4 1/2-length victory in the $101,800 Bet on Sunshine on a rainy Thursday afternoon at Churchill Downs.

Ridden by Albin Jimenez for Paolucci’s Loooch Racing Stable and trainer Anthony Quartorolo, Uno Mas Modelo got a perfect outside trip from just off the lead in the six-furlong race before finishing in 1:10.23 over sloppy going.

The race complexion was altered in the first few jumps when Switzerland, an habitual front-runner and the 3-5 favorite off a last-out victory in the Grade 3 DeFrancis Dash, was away poorly, spotting the leaders several lengths. He never did make serious headway when finishing fifth of seven older horses.

Uno Mas Modelo, a 5-year-old gelding by Macho Uno, paid $15 as third choice. He was coming off a seventh-place finish in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, a Grade 1 race that followed three straight sprint victories under the lime Loooch silks.

Heartwood was second and Silver Ride was third.

Paolucci is the gregarious owner with a couple of huge longshots in the Breeders’ Cup – Baby Nina in the Juvenile Fillies and Fuhriously Kissed in the Filly and Mare Turf.

The $2 exacta (7-3) paid $102.80, the $1 trifecta (7-3-5) returned $271.40, and the 10-cent superfecta (7-3-5-4) was worth $166.40.