GMB Racing's GI Kentucky Derby contender Mo Tom (Uncle Mo) pleased trainer Tom Amoss with a half-mile breeze in :48.40 over a fast track at Churchill Downs Wednesday.
“Mo Tom was very impressive this morning,” Amoss said. “This was his first breeze since the [Mar. 26 GII] Louisiana Derby and I think that, when he's right and breezes well, the things that are going to catch someone's attention are not only the breezes themselves but how much energy he has once he's crosses the wire and the gallop out. He's got a lot of energy and does a lot more.”
Mo Tom captured the GIII LeComte S. in January, but is coming off troubled trips when third in the Feb. 20 GII Risen Star S. and fourth in the Louisiana Derby.
Of that most recent effort, Amoss said, “I'm not going to play the game of where we might have run if we didn't encounter the trouble that we encountered in the Louisiana Derby. I'll simply tell you that my horse has a devastating late run and he's yet to be able to use it in his last two starts. I'm looking forward to getting that chance on the first Saturday in May.”
Mo Tom currently sits 18th on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 32 points. Only two Derby qualifying races remain and Amoss is confident his charge will make it into the Derby starting gate.
“I'd be surprised if Monday morning we are not in the Top 20,” he said. “If that indeed is the case, I'll start paying attention then. We all knew the point system in the beginning of this past year. If there were any complaints, it should have been done then. It's the system and I'll stand by whatever it does.”
Also Wednesday at Churchill, Amoss sent out GI Kentucky Oaks hopeful Venus Valentine (Congrats) to work a half-mile in :48.60. The Rosemont Farm colorbearer, who was wearing blinkers for the first time in the work, galloped out five furlongs in 1:02.40.
“The idea there is to put her in the game a little more early in the race because she comes from so far back,” Amoss said.
Venus Valentine, upset winner of the GII Twinspires.com Rachel Alexandra S., is coming off a fifth-place effort in the Mar. 26 GII Fair Grounds Oaks. Amoss acknowledged his charge faces a tough task against undefeated champion Songbird (Medaglia d'Oro) in the Oaks.
“I think looking for a weakness in Songbird would be like looking for a weakness in the Golden State Warriors' basketball team this year, because I haven't seen it,” Amoss said. “But let's not forget it is the Kentucky Oaks and you only get one chance to run in a race like that. Venus has earned a right to be in there. The mountain that she has to climb is certainly big, but she's doing well.”
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