With Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez in the irons, GI Wood Memorial winner Outwork (Uncle Mo) had his penultimate breeze for the GI Kentucky Derby Friday morning at Belmont Park, covering a half-mile in :48 4/5.
Stepping onto the training track just after the second renovation break, he was accompanied by a pony to the backstretch before being turned loose behind stablemates Spooked Out (Catienus) and Jimmy Winfield S. hero Awesome Gent (Awesome Again). Owner/breeder Mike Repole was on hand with trainer Todd Pletcher, who caught Outwork in splits of :12 3/5 and :24 1/5 before he caught and passed his targets, finishing about 2 1/2 lengths in front and galloping out five furlongs in 1:01 4/5, up in 1:14 4/5.
“You certainly don't want to experiment [by taking him back] in the Wood Memorial,” said Pletcher. “We felt it would have some benefits and it was a very well-executed breeze. We learned he doesn't mind some kickback and he settled behind horses nicely. So check that off for things you don't have to worry about.”
“When Todd's happy with the work, I'm happy with the work,” added Repole. “It seemed like Outwork actually settled better behind horses than when he's side-by-side. He went by Awesome Gent and Spooked Out like they were $10,000 claimers. And they're stakes horses. It was fun to watch.”
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