Uncle Mo Juvenile Impresses in Churchill Debut
It was a perfect start for Uncle Mo juvenile Long Neck Paula (2f Uncle Mo x Take Charge Paula, by Take Charge Indy) when she won a Churchill Downs Maiden Special Weight by an easy 3 ½ lengths.
Trained by Wesley Ward for Will Stroud, the filly jumped straight to the lead in the 4 ½ furlong dirt race with John Velazquez aboard. Early pressure quickly faded away as she turned into the stretch.
Pulling away as she raced toward the wire, she was ridden out in the final stage to earn Thoroughbred Daily News Rising Star status.
The WinStar Farm-bred filly was a $325,000 Keeneland September Yearling purchase before Ward signed the ticket two months ago when buying her for $500,000.
She is the first winner out of Grade III winner and multiple Grade II-placed Take Charge Paula. Take Charge Paula is a half-sister to the stakes placed Senna and six other winners out of the stakes-placed Perfect Paula.
This is the 16th TDN Rising Star for Uncle Mo and is his first juvenile starter of the year.