Uncle Mo’s Gulfport Scores In Bet On Sunshine
Gulfport (4c Uncle Mo x Fame and Fortune, by Unbridled’s Song) registered his second Churchill Downs stakes victory on Saturday with a win in the Bet On Sunshine Stakes.
Entered going six furlongs on the dirt by trainer Steve Asmussen, Gulfport was happy to stalk Champlin throughout the early stages as that one led by a little over a length. It wasn’t until midstretch that Gulfport made his first serious move, racing up to the leader with another horse by his side.
It was a battle to the finish once the leader was collared inside the final sixteenth, but Gulfport came out a neck ahead in the end.
This is the fourth win in nine starts for Gulfport, who has also finished in the top three four other times. The colt runs for William and Corinne Heiligbrodt, Jackpot Farm, Whispering Oaks Farm, and Coolmore. His victories also include the Bashford Manor Stakes with placings in two Grade Is and a Grade II as well.
Bred by Diamond Creek Farm, the earner of $635,250 is out of Fame And Fortune. That mare is also the dam of Grade II placed Favor and is out of the dual Grade I winner Stop Traffic. Stop Traffic also produced Fame and Fortune’s Grade I winning full brother Cross Traffic and four other stakes performers.
Gulfport is the 14th stakes winner of the year for Uncle Mo, whose 27 stakes performers in 2024 include two Grade I winners.