Mo Forza Thrills in G2 City of Hope

Uncle Mo’s outstanding son Mo Forza (5h Uncle Mo x Inflamed, by Unusual Heat) recorded his second straight Grade II City of Hope Stakes win on Saturday in thrilling fashion.

Happily running last for much of the one-mile turf race in the tightly packed field, he started his march toward the leader in the far turn.

Flavien Prat asked the horse for more in the stretch as he worked to make up nearly four lengths on Grade I winner Smooth Like Straight and Mo Forza responded. Showing the determination that has taken his race record to eight wins in 14 starts, Mo Forza’s speedy turn of foot got him to the line half a length in front of Smooth Like Straight with Grade I winner Hit The Road close behind in third.

“He’s definitely one who always gives you everything,” Prat said. “He has a great turn of foot and it’s always a pleasure riding him. Peter (Miller) did a great job of bringing him back off a long layoff last time and again today, it was a real pleasure.”

Owned by OG Boss and breeder Bardy Farm, It was the fourth straight graded stakes victory and seventh graded stakes victory overall for the Peter Miller trainee.

Mo Forza is the first foal out of Inflamed, a full sister to Grade II winner Burns and Grade I-placed Brushburn. His fifth dam is the multiple Grade I winner Politely.

Mo Forza has a 2-year-old Munnings half-brother named Highly Flammable and a weanling Japan-bred full brother.

A top racehorse and sire, Uncle Mo is the sire of 40 graded stakes winners, 75 stakes winners and 127 stakes performers from six crops aged three or older.