2011 Breeders' Cup: Uncle Mo Will Recover from Classic Disappointment

For a horse that's never won anything of significance, Uncle Mo has sure gotten plenty of recognition over the last year. 

He was an early threat to win the Triple Crown in the spring, had to withdraw from the Kentucky Derby and the rest of the Triple Crown series. 

After battling an illness and getting his strength back, he ran some races before the Breeders' Cup and did well enough to earn the label of favorite for the Breeders' Cup Classic. 

In a star-studded field, he didn't win. Drosselmeyer scored a serious upset, proving that you can't predict anything in the world of horse racing. When you're dealing with animals that aren't humans, even the best trainers, owners and jockeys can only do so much.

But despite being the favorite, Uncle Mo had a significantly abbreviated training session. He had to spend a lot of time getting his strength and weight back.

Now, that's finally there.

I'll be the first to admit that I picked Uncle Mo to win the Classic. I thought that his strength would be built up well enough to allow him to beat even such a star-studded field.

I was wrong. But I was wrong for 2011. Much of what I believed still applies for 2012 and beyond.

Unlike the Triple Crown series, the Breeders' Cup races aren't limited by age. Well, some are, but the Classic is not. 

There is absolutely nothing standing in the way of Uncle Mo and the people that handle him spending the next year doing everything in their power to train him for next year's Breeders' Cup.

Obviously, 2012 will bring some new horses. We have some ideas as to which horses will be the best, but we won't know until it comes around. 

But based on the obvious talent of Uncle Mo and what he accomplished with limited strength, it would be foolish to count him out of next year's Classic. 

As a matter of fact, that's what I am calling for. Mark it down.