Uncle Mo’s Golden Pal Dominates G2 Shakertown

Uncle Mo’s two-time Breeders’ Cup winner Golden Pal (4c Uncle Mo x Lady Shipman, by Midshipman) kicked off what looks to be another international campaign in style on Saturday with a win in the Grade II Shakertown at Keeneland.

There was never any doubt that the future Coolmore stallion would win with him bolting out of the gate to open up a few lengths on the field before the first call of the 5 ½ furlong race. Galloping easily, he stopped the clock in :20.94 for the first quarter.

Though there was no real threat, Irad Ortiz Jr. decided to test out Golden Pal’s next gear at the top of the stretch and ended the rest of the field’s hopes of getting anywhere close to him with the colt having 4 ¾ lengths in hand when geared down.

It was the sixth victory in nine starts for the Wesley Ward-trained Golden Pal, who has only finished out of the top two once in his career. This is the third straight victory for the bay, who ended last season with a victory in the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

“This is the fastest of the fast,” Ward said. “He’s just blessed with speed and agility. He moves like a cat; he’s so quick. For a big, sturdy horse like he is – he’s just a once-in-a-lifetime horse.”

Golden Pal now has his sights on the Group I King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot, a meet where he finished second by just a neck in the Group II Norfolk Stakes as a juvenile.

Golden Pal is out of the 11-time stakes winning Lady Shipman (USA) (Midshipman {USA}), who finished second in the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. She is the latest stakes producer for the family with each of Golden Pal’s first four dams producing at least one stakes winner.

Lady Shipman returned to Uncle Mo last year for a full sibling to her Grade I winner.

In the space of half hour yesterday, Uncle Mo sired two Grade II winners and a Grade II-placed runner with the other two looking like they are now headed to Churchill Downs for the Grade I Kentucky Derby and Grade I Kentucky Oaks.