Arabian Knight Newest G1 Winner for Uncle Mo

Uncle Mo registered his third Grade I winner of the year on Saturday when a determined Arabian Knight (3c Uncle Mo x Borealis Night, by Astrology) won the Grade I Pacific Classic.

Making his fourth career start and first since a solid third place finish in the Grade I Haskell, the Bob Baffert-trained colt went to the lead right out of the gate in the 1 ¼ mile dirt race. He was mostly left alone on the front end with Grade I-placed Piroli sitting a length off him for the run down the backstretch.

When they entered the turn, multiple Grade II winner Slow Down Andy took over the second spot and gave Arabian Knight his first taste of a serious challenge. They were engaged in battle as the field raced into the stretch and continued into the final furlong before Slow Down Andy started to fade as they reached the final sixteenth.

Arabian Knight had a brief second to breathe before Grade I Haskell winner Geaux Rocket Ride made his own run for the win. Arabian Knight refused to give in and still had his neck in front as they flashed past the finish line.

“He’s a nice horse and he showed it today. He was running easily for me all the way around. He’s lightly raced and I think this race will only make him better. It’s an honor to win a big race like this,” jockey Flavien Prat said.

Now the earner of over $1.2 million, Arabian Knight has won three of four starts including a Grade III. The Uncle Mo colt was a $250,000 Keeneland September Yearling purchase by Scott and Evan Dilworth from Terrazas Thoroughbreds before racing owner Zedan Racing Stables paid $2.3 million to purchase him from Top Line Sales at the OBS Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds In Training.

The Corser Thoroughbreds-bred Arabian Knight is out of Borealis Night, who is a half-sister to the multiple graded stakes placed Kinsley Kisses and Grade III-placed Spooky Woods. He is the first foal for Borealis Night, whose dam has produced seven winners from 10 to run.

Uncle Mo’s three Grade I winners this year lead his 13 stakes winners and 25 stakes performers on the year with five of those winning at the graded stakes level. The stallion is now the sire of 14 Grade I winners in his career with 38 stakes performers at the level.