Mopotism

by Jessica Martini & Christina Bossinakis SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY - The record-smashing Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale steam rolled to its conclusion Tuesday night, setting highwater marks for every metric and culminating with a head-turning gross of $100,715,000. At the close of business, 160 yearlings had sold for an average of $629,469 and median of $450,000--numbers which dwarfed records set just last year when 154 yearlings grossed $82,160,000 for an average of $533,506 and a median of $425,000. It was the third straight year of across-the-board statistical records at the Saratoga sale....

What is the common denominator between the last three runnings of the second jewel of the U.S. Triple Crown and Fasig-Tipton's Saratoga Select Yearling Sale? When Journalism (Curlin) crossed the wire first in the GI Preakness Stakes last May, it marked the third consecutive year that a yearling sold at Fasig-Tipton's Saratoga venue brought home the blanket of Black-Eyed Susans. Beginning in 2023, National Treasure (Quality Road), a $500,000 Saratoga buy, won for trainer Bob Baffert and a partnership consisting of SF Racing, Starlight, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Jay Schoenfarber,...

The past few months have been a rollercoaster of emotions for Liliana Solari, Carlos Heller and their team at Don Alberto. In April, the farm's homebred superstar Journalism (Curlin) scored the first of three Grade I victories in the Santa Anita Derby. Three weeks later, his dam Mopotism (Uncle Mo) foaled a picture-perfect Flightline filly. Journalism finished second, first, then second again in the Triple Crown series, taking his ownership group on an unforgettable journey on racing's biggest stage. Then suddenly, the highs gave way to heartbreak when Mopotism passed...

The horse giveth, the horse taketh away. How typical that Mopotism (Uncle Mo), one of those rare commercial diamonds that oblige with a champion at the first attempt, succumbed to her animal frailty in the very week that Journalism (Curlin) excavated new depths of the toughness she had given him. At least the cruelty of her premature loss has been matched by a proportionately outsized legacy. For while we can't yet be certain that even a prowess measured as persuasively as that of Journalism will be competently replicated, surely his...

GSW/MGISP Mopotism (Uncle Mo), the dam of GI Preakness Stakes winner and this weekend's GI Haskell Stakes favorite Journalism, has died from complications of colic, Don Alberto Corp confirmed Tuesday. Social media posts, which credit an Instagram message, read: "Mopotism, mother of Journalism, has died due to complications from colic at Don Alberto USA. She leaves two unraced products, a yearling filly daughter of Into Mischief and a 2-month old filly by Flightline." Don Alberto mourned the loss of their mare with the following message: "We are heartbroken to report...

Just in time for the big weekend, a brand new half-sister to Derby favorite Journalism (Curlin) has hit the ground for Don Alberto Corporation in Kentucky, according to a post on X by Reed Ringler. By Flightline and out of GSW Mopotism (Uncle Mo), the filly who arrived at about 1:00 a.m. ET came in at 144 pounds. "Mopotism has thrown some terrific foals, and all have had plenty of leg and substance," Don Alberto's Reed Ringler told the TDN. "She is a great mother, but all the foals have...

Kentucky Derby contender Journalism (Curlin--Mopotism, by Uncle Mo) will stand at Coolmore America's Ashford Stud following his racing career, the operation announced Monday evening. In addition, Coolmore partners Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith will participate with the colt's current ownership group of Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5 LLC and Robert LaPenta. Trained by Michael McCarthy, Journalism ended his juvenile campaign with a win in the GII Los Alamitos Futurity in December and returned at three with an eye-catching victory in the Mar....

Though one of his daughters lost the services of Magnitude (Not This Time) straight after his GII Risen Star romp, and another must send Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie) in from the cold this weekend, once again last Saturday the extraordinary distaff influence of Bernardini loomed behind the big Derby rehearsals on either coast. True, the winners of both the GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes and GII San Felipe Stakes were first and foremost repaying a seven-figure investment in their respective dams--each clearly having much else going for them. But the...

6th-Gulfstream, $40,000, Msw, 12-13, 2yo, f, 1m, 1:41.21, ft, 1 1/4 lengths. RUTH (f, 2, Uncle Mo--Peppy Rafaela, by Bernardini), bet down to 3-5 favoritism for Todd Pletcher and owner/breeder Frank Batten, was a close-up third behind early pacesetter Queen in the Deck (Cairo Prince) through the opening quarter in :24.81. Fanned out widest of the group around the far turn and relegated back several slots, Ruth responded in kind to urging from jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. and found a high gear coming to the line, powering past the leader...

7th-CD, $120k, Msw, 2yo, 6f, 3:55p.m. ET RESTLESS RENEGADE (Into Mischief), a homebred for Three Chimneys Farm and Fern Circle Stables, debuts here for Kenny McPeek on a busy Sunday coast to coast for well-bred juveniles. Out of GI Darley Alcibiades Stakes victress and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies runner-up--among three placings at the highest level--Restless Rider (Distorted Humor), the colt has three works over the Churchill Downs track since moving there in early October from Saratoga. This is the immediate female family of MGSW Private Vow (Broken Vow). TJCIS...

A half-brother to an unraced Curlin 2-year-old colt who brought $825,000 from Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners in this ring last year, hip 97 nearly doubled that return when hammering to Flying Dutchmen for $1.5 million at Fasig-Tipton's Saratoga sale Monday night. By Tapit, the colt is the second foal out of 2018 La Canada Stakes winner Mopotism (Uncle Mo), who also placed in four Grade I events. Flying Dutchmen is reported to be the same entity as Travis Boersma's Boardshorts Stables. Lane's End, agent consigned the Feb.19-foaled colt for his breeder,...

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency 5th-KEE, $100K, MSW, 3yo/up, 6 1/2f, 3:08 p.m. Trainer Chad Brown brings NABOKOV (Uncle Mo) to Keeneland on Thursday for his career debut. The chestnut son of Peppy Rafaela (Bernardini) is a full-brother to GSW & MGSP Mopotism who earned over $876k in her career. Purchased for $775,000 by Peter Brant from the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Nabokov has been working consistently in preparation for his debut including four-furlongs in :49 2/5 Mar. 26 (12/63) and a more recent four-furlongs on the track at...