Contessa Pleased With Return of Uncle Sigh

Though Uncle Sigh didn't win, trainer Gary Contessa was satisfied with the effort put forth by the 4-year-old colt who last raced in the 2014 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum Brands (gr. I).

Uncle Sigh, a New York-bred by Indian Charlie, was sidelined after the Derby because of a pulled muscle in his back. The recovery period in Florida took much longer than expected.

He resurfaced Aug. 16 at Saratoga Race Course in a state-bred allowance for non-winners of a race other than maiden, claiming, or starter, or non-winners of two races lifetime. Uncle Sigh qualified for both conditions even though he is graded stakes-placed.

With Javier Castellano riding for Wounded Warrior Stables and Anthony Robertson, Uncle Sigh sat off a fast early pace, bid for the lead on the far turn, carried a short advantage inside the final sixteenth of a mile and just fell short to a rallying Drama King in the six-furlong race.

"I would have been happier had he won, but running into a :45 half-mile was too much for him," Contessa said. "It's not anyone's fault, he just got a little tired. It was a very positive race back. If he comes back sound we've got ourselves a racehorse."

Uncle Sigh broke his maiden in state-bred company at Aqueduct Racetrack in December 2013 and subsequently finished second in the Withers Stakes and Gotham Stakes (both gr. III) at Aqueduct. He then ran an even fifth in the Wood Memorial Stakes (gr. I) at Aqueduct before his start in the Kentucky Derby, in which led for about one mile before dropping back to wind up 14th of 19.