Debut Uncle Mo Juvenile Winners Impress

Earning TDN Rising Star status with a scintillating debut victory at Churchill Downs on Thursday was Mo Diddley (2c Uncle Mo x Miss Bodine, by Vindication).

The Mark Casse trained colt had worked brilliantly on the training track in preparation for his debut and went to the post a short priced favourite in the four and a half furlong juvenile maiden.

Mo Diddley raced greenly, veering out sharply after the jump to find himself on his own and a clear last.

He made up ground to be challenging for the lead after turning for home and fought hard to the line to win by a head.

The top lot at the Fasig-Tipton New York-bred yearling sale last August at Saratoga when he fetched $450,000, Mo Diddley runs for Gary Barber & Cheyenne Stables.

He is the third winner from stakes-placed Miss Bodine, a half-sister to Grade II winner Icecoldbeeratreds.

Also tasting success on debut at Belmont for the powerful Todd Pletcher stable was Tempestad (2c Uncle Mo x Amansara, by War Chant).

Like Mo Diddley, Tempestad was slowly away and charged home from last to win the five furlong maiden by a head.

A $275,000 Keeneland September purchase, Tempestad runs for the Sumaya US Stable and is the fifth winner from stakes-winning War Chant mare Amansara.