94 Too Low For Mo

After a dominating 4 3/4 length romp in the Champagne Stakes, I was sure Uncle Mo had not only matched his Saratoga maiden route, but exceeded it. The speedy son of Indian Charlie proved that the extra quarter mile was no problem for him as he stretched out from six furlongs to a flat mile on only his second career start.

The colt was pressured right from the gate by that "pesky," as Tom Durkin called it, I'm Steppin Up. After a sizzling opening quarter in 22.41 and a stiff half mile in 45.92 it was clear that if Uncle Mo were to win the Champagne he would really have to be something special. Around the far turn they came, and Mountain Town began to mount a menacing rally around the far turn. At the head of the stretch, it looked as though Mo wouldn't be in for another easy win.

It was just then, when it looked like the talented colt would not find more, that he spurted clear with an amazing turn of foot and bounded to the wire much the best. His final time of 1.34.51 was the second fastest of the meet so far, only .09 seconds off what Tizway had run six days earlier in the Kelso. His time for the final quarter was one second better than what AZ Warrior turned in for her effort in the Frizette and .7 seconds better than Tizway's final quarter in the Kelso. Add in that his final time was the second fastest in the history of the Champagne, and you have a monster performance that would surely garner a monster speed figure...