Modernist Second Winner Of Day For Uncle Mo

Pam and Martin Wygod-bred and raced Modernist (3c Uncle Mo x Symbolic Gesture, by Bernardini) gave Uncle Mo his second winner of the day on Saturday when the colt broke his maiden at Aqueduct.

Going off as the heavy favorite in the 1 1/8 mile race on dirt, Modernist broke well and took advantage of his spot on the rail to take the lead with Junior Alvarado aboard. It looked like Modernist may be challenged as they turned into the stretch but he shrugged his rivals off to win by four lengths under a hand ride.

Trained by Bill Mott, Modernist is the first foal for Symbolic Gesture. Unraced herself, Symbolic Gesture is out of Broodmare of the Year Sweet Life, who also produced Champion Sweet Catomine and Grade I Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner Life Is Sweet in addition to Listed winner and Grade I placed Calimonco.

The Uncle Mo x Bernardini cross is quickly turning into a prolific one with eight winners including Uncle Mo’s studmate and Grade I winner Mo Town, Grade II winner Mopotism and Listed placed Stetson Gold.

The sire of Japanese winner Serein earlier in the day, Uncle Mo has already produced 19 winners in the first four weeks of 2020 including graded stakes winners Bast and Carressa.