Uncle Chuck Overwhelms Los Alamitos Derby Rivals

Image: 
Description: 

Photo: Benoit Photo
Uncle Chuck is all alone at the wire for a victory in the Los Alamitos Derby at Los Alamitos Race Course

In a year in which the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) has been pushed to the first Saturday in September, Uncle Chuck may be arriving at the right time.

Making his stakes debut July 4 in the $150,000 Los Alamitos Derby (G3), Karl Watson, Mike Pegram, and Paul Weitman's Uncle Chuck drew off in the final quarter-mile of the 1 1/8-mile test at Los Alamitos Race Course to coast to a four-length victory over stablemate Thousand Words, who won last year's Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) for trainer Bob Baffert. 


The victory, which saw Uncle Chuck stalk from second early in the field of four before drawing off late despite drifting out, gave Baffert his fourth straight Los Alamitos Derby win and fifth in six years. Uncle Chuck's score follows victories by West Coast , Once On Whiskey, and Game Winner from 2017-19 and Gimme da Lute in 2015.

Baffert has won the race 10 times overall, but this year is different. While the race maintains its July date on the calendar, unlike previous years, it comes ahead of the Kentucky Derby, rescheduled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the schedule change for the Louisville classic, Churchill Downs made the Los Alamitos Derby a points race and Uncle Chuck secured 20 points in the system used to determine the field should more than 20 horses be entered.

The start was just the second career effort for Uncle Chuck, a son of Uncle Mo  who cruised to a seven-length victory in his career debut June 12 at Santa Anita Park, a one-mile maiden race. While the final margin of victory Saturday under jockey Luis Saez would be decisive for the 2-5 favorite who returned $2.80 to win, Baffert noted that Uncle Chuck showed he could withstand a challenge.

"That was good," Baffert said. "At the top of the lane, I thought Thousand Words might get him, but at least that horse ran better. We're just learning more and more about Uncle Chuck. He's still pretty green, but he's got gears. (Saez) was excited about him and I think he's one of the top riders in the country. He said Uncle Chuck is still learning and has got a lot of improvement in him."

Uncle Chuck completed the 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.65. He was purchased for $250,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, where he was consigned by Stonestreet Bred and Raised, Summerfield, agent. 

"(Uncle Chuck) broke great and I just left him alone," Saez said. "He was doing it easy all the way. When I showed him the whip in the stretch he took off. He's a very nice colt."

Bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, Uncle Chuck is out of grade 2 winner Forest Music, by Unbridled's Song. He's a half brother to grade 3 winners Kentuckian, by Tiznow ; and Electric Forest, by Curlin .

While the Derby would be asking a lot, Baffert is seeing plenty of positives both on the track and in that breeding.

"The colt was full of himself when he came back. It's exciting. He's learning quickly and he has brilliance. I was impressed," Baffert said. "I think we just saw something pretty special and he's been special from day one. He's bred to be any kind."

Albaugh Family Stables and Spendthrift Farm's Thousand Words secured eight Derby qualifying points with his runner-up finish. Rounding out the short field were Cosmo in third and Great Power in fourth. Last year's TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) runner-up Anneau d'Or was scratched because of illness.

Video: Los Alamitos Derby (G3)