The Todd Pletcher-trained Mo Donegal kick-started what may be a memorable week for Coolmore Stud's Uncle Mo (USA) with a dominant performance in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes.
A Group 1 Classic winner over a mile on the dirt will be parlayed into the Group 1 King Stand Stakes over 5-furlongs at Royal Ascot on Tuesday when Wesley Ward's flyer Golden Pal is favoured to repel the challenge of the Aussie champ Nature Strip and a strong local contingent.
With Irad Ortiz Jr in the saddle, Mo Donegal stalked the early speed before opening up in the straight for a three-length win.
The son of Uncle Mo carried the same colours as his sire after Mike Rapole negotiated to buy a 25% interest from Donegal Racing just over a month ago.
Mo Donegal defeated stablemate, the Curlin filly, Nest, with the Exaggerator colt Skippylongstocking a further three and a quarter lengths back in third.
The shock Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike finished a laboured sixth of the eight runners, some 13-lengths behind the winner.
It was a fourth Belmont for Pletcher and a second for Ortiz, who will partner Golden Pal at Ascot.
It was the fourth win in seven starts for Mo Donegal, who was fifth at Churchill Downs after capturing the GII Wood Memorial at Aqueduct.
The race was a triumph for Ashview Farm and Colts Neck Stables, which bred Mo Donegal and Nest.
Purchased for $250,000 by Jerry Crawford, agent for Donegal Racing, from the Ashview Farm draft at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Mo Donegal is the second foal and second winner from the Pulpit mare Callingmissbrown.
The winner of two of her four starts, Callingmissbrown, is a daughter of the G1 Acorn Stakes winner and Kentucky Oaks runner-up Island Sand (Tabasco Cat).
All four of Pletcher's Belmont winners came off a run in the Kentucky Derby.
"We have certain things we want to do, such as coming here immediately after the Derby or the Oaks and getting the horses settled in and trained over the track," Pletcher told Bloodhorse.
"It's a similar pattern we follow each time. It's not rocket science. We are just trying to take advantage of being at home.
"It's our family's favourite race. Our kids grew up and went to school here, and we've always felt like it's our hometown race. The hometown feel adds some specialness to it."
Mo Donegal is the 11th G1 winner for Uncle Mo (USA), who shuttled to Australia for four seasons (2012-15). His best was the GII Hobartville Stakes and GIII Eskimo Prince Stakes winner Man From Uncle. Six years and four changes of stables since his stakes triumph, Man From Uncle is still plying his trade in Victoria.
