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Pletcher’s Juvenile hopefuls work together

Posted: Sunday, October 31, 2010 1:19 PM

UNCLE MO (outside) AND STAY THIRSTY

PhotosByZ.com/Thoroughbred Times

by Ed DeRosa

Todd Pletcher’s Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) pre-entrants finished their four-furlong workout in company on even terms on Sunday at Churchill Downs but that  is not necessarily indicative of where the two-year-olds are in their development.

Undefeated Grade 1 winner Uncle Mo and Three Chimneys Hopeful Stakes (G1) runner-up Stay Thirsty worked a half-mile in company together in :50.60. Mike Repole’s Repole Stable owns both colts.

The prospect of the pair finishing that close together at the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile finish line has Pletcher excited. The Eclipse Award-winning trainer said following their workouts on Sunday that Uncle Mo does not need to improve to win the race but Stay Thirsty does. He said Stay Thirsty has every right to do so, being by 2006 champion three-year-old male Bernardini.

“The exciting thing about Stay Thirsty is that he’s bred to run longer,” Pletcher said. “We thought he’d peak as a three-year-old, and hopefully he still will, but we’re very happy with where he is now. Stay Thirsty will have to move forward, but we think he can with the stretch out to 1 1/16 miles and two turns.”

Uncle Mo merely needs to run remotely the same race he ran when winning the Champagne Stakes (G1) by 4 ¾ lengths (video). The Indian Charlie colt has yet to run two turns, but he has won his two starts by a combined margin of 19 lengths.

“We’ve been blessed with good two-year-olds over the years that maybe peaked in the summer, but with Uncle Mo, he’s peaking right now,” Pletcher said. “Two turns won’t be an issue.”

Pletcher is winless with ten Breeders’ Cup Juvenile starters as part of a 3-for-66 career record in Breeders’ Cup races. Pletcher trained favored Circular Quay in the 2006 Juvenile at Churchill, and he finished second to eventual champion two-year-old male and Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner Street Sense.

Pletcher could start as many as 11 horses in this year’s Breeders’ Cup, and he sees this group as one that could help him improve on his 4.5% Breeders’ Cup win percentage.

“These races are so tough, so deep, and so difficult to win, but we think we have a group this year to compete,” Pletcher said.