BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Live Oak Plantation’s homebred Uncle’s Gold made it three in-a-row Saturday afternoon with a handy two-length victory in a $50,000 optional claiming on the turf at Colonial Downs. The 4-year-old Florida-bred stakes-winner bested 10 other 3-year-olds and older going a mile-and-a-sixteenth on outer turf, winning by two lengths as the odds-on favorite at 4-5.

In addition to taking the winner’s share of the $78,700 purse, his out-of-state victory also produced a $3,000 Export Incentive for breeder Live Oak Plantation paid by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association. 

Ridden by Paco Lopez for trainer Michael Trombetta, Uncle’s Gold was caught in tight quarters around the clubhouse turn but settled into fifth on the outside, racing two lengths off 43-1 longshot Curly Larry and Mo through quarter-mile fractions of :23.88 and :48.75. Lopez guided Uncle’s Gold three-wide into the second turn to put a head in front past the five-sixteenths pole and take a clear lead turning for home. He kept that margin to the wire, finishing in 1:41.54 on the firm turf.

Uncle’s Gold paid $3.60 to win.

Uncle’s Gold has now won four of six starts in 2026 including his last three. He produced a neck victory in the $100,000 AAA Feed & Tack Turf Classic over nine furlongs at Tampa Bay Downs on March 29 then took a second level, $32,000 optional claiming going a mile-and-a-70 yards on the turf at Delaware Park on June 4.

He has won five of nine career races with a second and a third and has banked $225,510. Uncle’s Gold is by Uncle Mo out of Giant Crystal, by Giant’s Causeway and is a full-brother to Live Oak’s multiple stakes-winner Crystal Quest.

Return to the June 27 issue of Wire to Wire