Uncle Mo easily wins 3-year-old debut

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Top Triple Crown contender Uncle Mo recovered from a poor start to make a successful 3-year-old debut Saturday, winning the $100,000 Timely Writer Stakes at Gulfstream Park by 33/4 lengths.

Uncle Mo, who went off at odds of 1-9, was bumped at the start but quickly took charge on the inside and drew away in the stretch. He covered one mile in 1:36.56 with John Velazquez aboard and paid $2.10.

The start was the first for Uncle Mo since he won the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs by 41/4 lengths winner on Nov. 6. He's ranked No. 1 in the AP's Run to the Roses Top 10 Kentucky Derby list.

Rattlesnake Bridge finished second in the field of five 3-year-olds and paid $2.20, and Gallant Dreams paid $3 to show.