RACING CAREER

A Pennsylvania-bred colt, Uncle Heavy began his career in late October at Parx, winning in his debut going six furlongs on the dirt. Narrowly edging out the odds-on favorite in that one by a neck, Uncle Heavy was already ahead of schedule relative to his expectations, next entered into a stakes race at Parx the following month. Unfortunately, he showed his inexperience and failed to break well, never a factor as the even money post time favorite. 

Stretching out a bit more in distance to a mile and seventy in the Parx Wait For It Stakes, along with a slightly better break, put him back into the win column with two victories in three starts. Trainer Robert E. Reid Jr. put Uncle Heavy onto the Derby trail with a start in the Withers at Aqueduct, where he put forth his best effort to date, improving enough to beat better competition and pick up twenty points. Still having trouble at the break, Uncle Heavy has been placed more mid pack in his wins, and has been able to overcome wide trips with strong closing kicks and a preference for distance.

In the Grade II Wood Memorial, he once again broke slow but from the outside thirteen post, and was pushed wide all the way around. Settling in for fifth, Uncle Heavy missed out on a chance to run at Churchill, but was rested to take on the Preakness against higher profile competition where he will need a much better start and trip to have any chance. 

CHECK OUT THE LATEST OFF TO THE RACES RADIO!

BLOODLINES

Relatively young as a sire, Social Inclusion has yet to produce a grade I winner or a runner who has earned over seven figures lifetime. Uncle Heavy is already one of his more successful progeny, and would be his highest earner if he repeats Social Inclusion’s third place finish in the Preakness from 2014. His Broodmare sire Tiz Wonderful also hasn’t had a major standout as a sire, but has had more success in the broodmare sire role, producing six stakes winners starting with his first crop in 2012. With a strong finish in the Preakness, Uncle Heavy could become the most accomplished racer in the bloodline of both Social Inclusion and Tiz Wonderful, boosting his earnings towards the seven figure mark.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

After a sharp 47.34 second four furlong work at Parx on May 11th for Uncle Heavy, trainer Robert Reid told Pimlico News “The horse is good. Came out of his breeze great. Ate everything and was sharp this morning. I’m very happy with him.” 

“He’s very laid back. He’s got a tremendous attitude about him,” Reid said. “He’s a big, giant guy that probably weighs over 1,200 pounds, I’m sure, but I’ve never weighed him. He’s just a big, gentle giant. Very easy to train in the morning. Doesn’t worry about anything. When he comes back from training he lays down and takes a nice long snooze right after training. He’s not worried about it. We’re way more worried about it than he is.” 

This big Pennsylvania colt certainly has a challenge ahead in the Preakness, but with some improvement and a better trip than he is accustomed to, should be primed for a strong effort.