Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Uncle Chuck

Jul 06, 2020 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman’s Uncle Chuck picked up 20 points on the 2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby following his four-length victory in the $150,000 Los Alamitos Derby (G3). The winner clocked 1 1/8 miles on the fast track in 1:47.65 under the guidance of Luis Saez.

Thousand Words was runner-up to pick up 8 points, followed by Cosmo and Great Power, who earned 4 and 2 points, respectively.

Uncle Chuck improved his lifetime line to 2-2-0-0, $120,000 following his smart triumph. The dark bay made his debut a winning one at Santa Anita on June 12, when he led at every call en route to a seven-length romp.

The Bob Baffert trainee was bred in the Bluegrass State by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings and purchased for $250,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Uncle Chuck is the third stakes winner produced from the fleet Forest Music, who notched her biggest win when taking the 2005 Honorable Miss (G2) at Saratoga. Kentuckian, who was best in the 2015 Lazaro Barrera (G3), and 2019 Doubledogdare (G3) heroine Electric Forest, are also out of Forest Music, as is sire Maclean’s Music.

The son of Uncle Mo has been visually impressive from just a pair of lifetime outings to date, showing off his long and efficient stride. He has posted Brisnet Speed figures of 88 and 98 to this stage of his development, and the sophomore clearly has room for improvement with additional seasoning. The colt also showed a measure of professionalism when rating off the early pace and taking command when his rider gave him his cue at Los Alamitos.

It is not easy when trying to determine if Uncle Chuck could evolve into a prime candidate for the Run for the Roses. The colt has yet to run fast enough to challenge the very best in his division, and while he passed a 9-furlong test with aplomb at Los Alamitos, his ability to thrive at 10 furlongs is still in question.

Uncle Chuck will benefit as much as any sophomore in training with the Kentucky Derby being moved to Sept. 5 this season. And as past history has taught us, no talented 3-year-old from the barn of Triple Crown savant Bob Baffert can ever be taken lightly.