2016 Kentucky Derby Under the Radar Spotlight: Uncle Walter

Horse racing fans in general are not as forgiving of a loss as they used to be. When looking for a dark horse for the 2016 Kentucky Derby, though, being able to forgive a defeat, and identifying reasons why a losing effort might soon lead to better things, is one way you might just clean up with a future wager. While it is true Uncle Walter did not win his first prep race of the season, when third in the Grade 3 LeComte at Fair Grounds, I believe the son of the leading first crop sire of 2015, Uncle Mo, could have a whole lot more under the hood than he was able to demonstrate in his sophomore debut. So much so, in fact, that Uncle Walter is this week’s Under the Radar Spotlight horse.

Owned by Ken & Sarah Ramsey, and trained by Mike Maker, Uncle Walter (Uncle Mo--Look For Good, by Unbridled’s Song) did not begin his career until the middle of October at Keeneland. The seven furlong maiden race saw the 7-2 shot close with a rush. He needed every bit of that strong late rally, because he did not lead that afternoon until the shadow of the wire.

Next came an allowance race at Churchill Downs, where he had the task of taking on another talented, and slightly more experienced rival in Synchrony. Uncle Walter was a little closer this time in the 7 ½ furlong affair, and made an earlier move to menace on the far turn. The problem was, Synchrony, who was a 6-5 favorite over the 3-2 Uncle Walter, was making a big move from behind, and looked poised to go right by the Ramsey runner early in the stretch. The second choice never gave in, though, and despite the momentum of the horse to his outside, he fought tooth and nail to the wire, only to fall a head short. It was a very strong performance in a losing effort, as the rest of the field was left far behind the talented top two. The winner has since come back to run a strongly closing third in the Smarty Jones at Oaklawn Park.

As the calendar turned to 2016, Uncle Walter made both his stakes, and his two-turn debut at Fair Grounds. He actually ran a similar race that saw him finish a game second at Churchill Downs. This time it was only good enough for third, as Mo Tom, currently ranked #9 in my Big Ten Derby rankings, mowed them all down to win the LeComte in impressive style. For Uncle Walter, he again made a menacing move on the far turn, and again finished with good courage on the inside in only his third lifetime start.

OK, so clearly Mo Tom was the better horse on January 16, but does that mean the other son of Uncle Mo should be discarded as a Kentucky Derby contender like yesterday’s news? Not so fast, my friends. Is he ready to turn the tables on Mo Tom in the February 20 Risen Star? I definitely think it is a real possiblility. Improvement will be a requirement, as you not only have the LeComte winner coming back, but the highly regarded duo of Gun Runner and Gift Box also look to be pointed for the next Derby prep in New Orleans, but it is improvement that I believe to be predictable.

First off, in both of his losing races, Uncle Walter was facing very good colts, who had an experience edge on him. In other words, I think the LeComte will have done him a world of good, if he truly is a horse of serious talent. With that experience, and the two-turn foundation now being built, he should move forward in his second try at a route of ground.

In addition, word from his barn has been very positive. The Maker barn likes this one, and are very pleased with how he has been working back in South Florida. Finally, they believe the addition of blinkers, which will be added for the Risen Star, will also be a positive.

Already close to good ones and game, a little more experienced, second try around two turns, working well, and the addition of blinkers -- all good reasons to believe that Uncle Walter will improve, and have a real chance in the Grade 2 Risen Star. And a win there, at Fair Grounds, on February 20, will put Uncle Walter in the thick of things as we move forward to the Louisiana Derby, and beyond. Last year, Maker and the Ramseys lost out on the chance to run their Louisiana Derby winner in the Run for the Roses, when International Star had a physical setback. In 2016, they are looking for better luck with the lightly raced Uncle Walter.