Outwork, Laoban first sons of Uncle Mo to sire a winner

Outwork was the first winner for his sire, Uncle Mo, when he won his debut in April 2015 at Keeneland. He was swiftly followed by many more winners as Uncle Mo was the leading freshman sire of 2015, highlighted by Eclipse Award champion Nyquist.

As Uncle Mo moves into the next phase of his career, as a sire of sires, Outwork became the stallion’s first son to sire a winner – and was swiftly followed by another. Garoppolo, by Outwork, was a one-length winner of his second start Friday at Belmont Park. Less than three hours later, Laoban became the second son of Uncle Mo to sire a winner, as Ava’s

Grace won her debut at Ellis Park.

Outwork, winner of the Grade 1 Wood Memorial, and Laoban, winner of the Grade 2 Jim Dandy, were part of the strong first crop for Uncle Mo, an Indian Charlie horse standing at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in Kentucky. They were among the runners from Uncle Mo’s first crop to continue on strongly from ages 2 to 3. Nyquist helped Uncle Mo set the earnings record for a North American freshman sire when he emulated his father by winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile to cap an unbeaten campaign, and continued on to win the 2016 Kentucky Derby.

Six sons of Uncle Mo from that first crop now are among the freshman sires of 2020, including Nyquist at Darley in Kentucky. Still awaiting his first winner, he has been represented by three starters through July 4. Meanwhile, Outwork stands at WinStar Farm in Kentucky and Laoban stands at Sequel Stallions in New York. They are joined by Uncle Lino at Northview Pennsylvania, Uncle Vinny at Equistar in Pennsylvania, and Mo for the Money at Anderson Farms in Arkansas.

Uncle Mo’s son Mo Tom, standing in Louisiana, has his first yearlings this year, while Grade 1 winner Mo Town, standing alongside his sire at Ashford, and Conquest Mo Money, standing in New Mexico, both entered stud in 2019. Another son of Uncle Mo, Sea Wizard, entered stud this year in New Jersey.

Vekoma has the right stuff

The Metropolitan Handicap has a history of being a stallion-making race because it showcases the brilliance that is so desired in the American market. Vekoma remained unbeaten in his 4-year-old season with a victory Saturday in the Grade 1 Runhappy Metropolitan at Belmont Park, and with a pedigree that sports several successful sires, he has solid credentials to become a top sire himself. The Metropolitan marked the fourth graded stakes score for millionaire Vekoma, who won the Grade 2 Nashua Stakes as a juvenile, the Grade 2 Blue Grass Stakes last year, and the Grade 1 Runhappy Carter Handicap last month. The colt is a son of Candy Ride, who is represented by 16 sons at stud, including his 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner, whose first foals have been well received commercially, and the consistent and versatile sire Twirling Candy.

Vekoma is out of the Grade 1winning Speightstown mare Mona de Momma. Her dam, Society Gal, is a half-sister to multiple graded stakes winner and sire Mr. Greeley. His best runners included European champion Finsceal Beo, English 1000 Guineas winner Saoirse Abu, Grade 1 winner and sire El Corredor, and Grade 1/ Group 1 winners Aruna, Celtic Melody, Crusade, Miss Kournikova, Nonsuch Bay, Reel Buddy, Sweet Lulu, Western Aristocrat, and Whywhywhy.

Society Gal and Mr. Greeley’s half-siblings include Majestic Legend, whose winning daughter Bedazzle produced Kentucky Derby winner and Eclipse Award champion juvenile Street Sense. Street Sense, whose first foals hit the racetrack in 2011, is already the sire of 73 stakes winners in less than a decade, led by Grade 1/ Group 1 winners Aubby K, Callback, Dixie Blossoms, Fleet Street, Maxfield, McKinzie, Politeness, Sense of Occasion, Street Fancy, Sweet Reason, and Wedding Toast.

Vekoma also is from the extended female family of international sire Danehill Dancer, a Group 1 winner in Ireland where he was a leading sire and broodmare sire. Danehill Dancer also was a leading sire in Hong Kong. Danehill Dancer’s several Grade 1/Group 1 winners included European champion and classic winner Mastercraftsman, Australian champions Choisir and Private Steer, and Canadian champion Callwood Dancer.

The Met Mile has been won through its 127-year history by prominent stallions. Among those this century include Ghostzapper (2005) and Quality Road (2010), both of whom went on to be top stallions.