Horse Racing News by David Grening

The connections of Uncle Mo believe they have a reason why their horse did not run up to expectations in last weekend's $1 million Wood Memorial, and are still hoping to get last year's 2-year-old champion to the Kentucky Derby on May 7.

When trainer Jim Hooper opted to run Inherit the Gold in the Grade 3 Excelsior Stakes at Aqueduct on April 2, he all but ruled out running the gelding back in the $1 million Charles Town Classic this Saturday.

Beaten Wood Memorial favorite Uncle Mo returned to the racetrack Wednesday, jogging once around a wet Belmont Park training track.

Benefitting from a ground-saving trip and a patient ride from Luis Saez, Hot Summer slid through an opening along the rail in upper stretch and drew off to a victory in Saturday's Grade 3, $150,000 Comely Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Aqueduct.

This year, Godolphin will start a little early when Buffum returns from Dubai to run in Saturday's Grade 3, $200,000 Bay Shore Stakes for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs.

The New York-bred Ava K. steps out of New York-bred company and will take on six 3-year-old fillies in the Grade 3, $150,000 Comely Stakes at one mile Saturday at Aqueduct.

An eclectic field of 12 was entered for Saturday's Grade 1, $250,000 Carter Handicap at Aqueduct, including Be Bullish, who would be making his third start in nine days if he were to actually start in the seven-furlong race.

Uncle Mo arrived at his Belmont Park home at 11:15 a.m. Wednesday and two hours later was assigned post 5 for his engagement in Saturday's $1 million Wood Memorial at Aqueduct, where he will face nine opponents.

Trainer Nick Zito and owner Robert LaPenta made it back-to-back victories in the Florida Derby when Dialed In, under Julien Leparoux, rallied from last to nip 60-1 pacesetter Shackleford by a short head.

S.S. Stone won his fourth consecutive race of the meet when he persevered past Colizeo in upper stretch and then held off Jackson Bend to take the Grade 3, $100,000 Skip Away Stakes by two lengths at Gulfstream Park.