Crystal Quest (Uncle Mo) Wins Sophomore Turf Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs

Crystal Quest 100th Black Type Winner for Uncle Mo

Crystal Quest (3c Uncle Mo x Giant Crystal, by Giant’s Causeway) gave Uncle Mo a unique double on Sunday’s Tampa Bay card when winning the Sophomore Turf Stakes at the track.

The colt’s victory came one race after Mystic Lake won the Sophomore Fillies Stakes for his studmate and son Mo Town.

Unlike Mystic Lake’s front-running victory, Crystal Quest was one of the back markers in the 1 1/16-mile affair and was happy to stay there for much of the running. Comfortable in his position, he was taken wide around the far turn and given a clear chance to run down the leaders.

He did just that in mid-stretch and was able to win by three-quarters of a length at the line as the race favorite.

The sophomore trained by Michael Trombetta for owner-breeder Live Oak Plantation has now won his last three races with victories in all but one of his four career starts.

Out of Giant’s Causeway daughter Giant Crystal, Crystal Quest is a half-brother to multiple stakes winner American Giant with all three of their dam’s runners winning at least one race.

Giant Crystal is a half-sister to Grade I winner Gemologist, stakes winner Clear Destiny, and the stakes placed Perfect Cut with their dam Crystal Shard producing nine winners from 12 to race.

Crystal Ocean is one of 100 black type winners for Uncle Mo, whose stakes winners have come in six countries with 192 stakes performers overall.