It is now 2011 and that means we have officially embarked on the Kentucky Derby trail. Here in the East it’s been difficult to see even the slightest hint of rose blossoms buried beneath 20-30 inches of snow drifts. But, heck, they’ve already run the first Derby prep (the Count Fleet Stakes at Aqueduct...

Uncle Mo , the likely champion 2-year-old male and our early Kentucky Derby (gr. I) favorite, has taken up residence in Todd Pletcher's barn at Palm Meadows in Boynton Beach, Fla. The son of Indian Charlie has been there since Dec. 8 where he has settled in nicely and recently returned to light training...

Todd Pletcher leads all North American-based trainers in 2010 with more than $22.6 million in earnings and should have his fifth Eclipse Award locked up. His first Kentucky Derby win and three Breeders' Cup victories may have made this the most rewarding year of Pletcher's career. With 2011 right around...

1. Visiting with trainers and jockeys during cold mornings on the Churchill Downs backstretch during the week before the Breeders Cup…I especially enjoyed my chat with trainer Steve Hobby in barn 15, where he told me all about his longshot BC Turf contender, Telling . I was really rooting for this horse;...

Here's your sounding board for the 2010 Breeders' Cup World Championships. Racing fans certainly have had plenty to say since Nov. 6 about Blame and Zenyatta's remarkable battle in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), but what about Goldikova's three-peat in the Mile (gr. I) and Uncle Mo's big kick in...

Both broke their maidens by double-digit lengths. Both came right back with impressive grade I wins. Both are based in New York for powerful trainers who have said their respective horses are as talented as any 2-year-old they have ever had. Boys At Tosconova vs. Uncle Mo . Breeders' Cup Juvenile: Nov...

This year's Perfect Trip Award will recognize a Breeders' Cup Challenge race winner from this season's North American races that best exemplifies a "Perfect Trip". The winner will be selected from a panel of racing experts and will have the opportunity to experience his or her own "Perfect Trip" through...

It's September so I guess we better start talking about juveniles. On Saturday at Saratoga we may have seen the most dazzling maiden winner of the meet when Repole Stable's Uncle Mo devoured a field of 10 in a six-furlong contest. The son of Indian Charlie drew off to win by 14 1/2 lengths under John...