Toby’s Corner – Resorts World New York Casino Wood Memorial (G1)
Toby’s Corner rallied from last to storm past a tiring Uncle Mo and outkick Arthur’s Tale in the final jumps of Saturday’s 87th edition of the Grade 1, million Resorts World New York Casino Wood Memorial at Aqueduct Racetrack. The neck victory was the race’s biggest upset since Secretariat finished third to Angle Light by four lengths in 1973. Ridden by Eddie Castro, Toby’s Corner, a 3-year-old son of 2005 Wood winner Bellamy Road, stayed on the rail as 1-10 favorite Uncle Mo led the field through an opening half-mile in 47.98, three-quarters in 1:12.28 and a mile in 1:37.26 while under pressure from a trio of longshots. Advancing steadily after having been shuffled back to last at the half-mile pole, Toby’s Corner kicked into gear once tipped to the outside in the stretch. As Uncle Mo began to tire, Toby’s Corner moved up along with Arthur’s Tale and surged to the front in the final yards to hit the wire in 1:49.93 for the 1 1/8 miles. Uncle Mo, the 2010 Eclipse winner as the nation’s Top 2-Year-Old Male and the early favorite for the Kentucky Derby, finished third, another length back, as he suffered his first loss in five starts. “I can’t say I’m shocked but I’m disappointed,” said Todd Pletcher, who trains Uncle Mo for Mike Repole. “I was a little concerned turning for home at the three-sixteenths pole when he didn’t really kick clear. I thought then that we were going to be in for a fight. You could see the last 50-60 yards he was tired.” “He came a little flat …
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April 10th, 2011 at 10:12 am
What a shame to see Mo lose. Hopefully will regroup in KD.
April 14th, 2011 at 6:45 pm
The timely was a hint. Non Graded to a G1, Hmmm
April 15th, 2011 at 8:55 pm
Uncle Mo just isn’t meant for this distance:( I don’t imagine he’ll do extremely well in the Derby. My family owns Bellamy Road, Toby’s Corner’s sire. Toby past the finish w/ such energy, I think he should do well in Derby b/c that is more of the distance he prefers.
April 19th, 2011 at 11:36 am
@NovaEventing sorry but you don;t know that he got hurt in the gate andh as an infection which is hwy he didn’t show up in the race he may not even run in the derby
April 23rd, 2011 at 9:43 pm
Since Secretariat himself? Yea right.