Uncle Mo Filly Breaks Maiden in Star Shoot

Sabatini (3f Uncle Mo x Gabriellestoblame, by Blame) showed why her connections had enough faith to enter her in a stakes in just her second start on Saturday when she broke her maiden in the Listed Star Shoot Stakes.

Racing six furlongs on Woodbine’s synthetic track, Sabatini broke well before settling in midpack just behind the leaders as Munnings’ Dancing Duchess pushed the leader. Those two opened a few lengths on Sabatini, but her jockey wasn’t discouraged by the distance.

Racing wide in the stretch, Sabatini easily closed on them and pulled ahead to win by 2 ¼ lengths with Dancing Duchess finishing just a neck back from second when settling for third.

The Bridlewood Farm-bred filly purchased last year as a 2-year-old for $625,000 by Solis and Litt from Pick View races for NK Racing and LNJ Foxwoods.

Sabatini is one of two winners from two to race out of the winning Blame mare Gabriellestoblame.

That mare is a half-sister to Uncle Mo’s champion and Grade I Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist – making this filly a three-quarter sister to that runner. Their dam Seeking Gabrielle is a half-sister to Grade III winner Seeking The Sky and three others with Seeking the Sky producing Grade I winner Sahara Sky.

Gabriellestoblame had a full sister to Sabatini in 2022.

A top sire year in and year out, Uncle Mo is well represented in this year’s Grade I Kentucky Derby as the sire of Grand Mo The First and damsire of West Saratoga. He is also the damsire of Grade I Kentucky Oaks runner Thorpedo Anna.