Horse Racing News by Mike Welsch

As expected, reigning juvenile champion and current Kentucky Derby favorite Uncle Mo will kick off his 3-year-old campaign going one mile Saturday in Gulfstream Park's $100,000 Timely Writer.

Uncle Mo turned in his final work in preparation for his much anticipated 3-year-old debut by breezing an easy half-mile in 48.82 seconds under jockey John Velazquez early Sunday morning at Palm Meadows.

Equestrio defeats his younger stablemate Dialed In during a nine-furlong allowance race that Dialed In was using as a prep for the Florida Derby.

Never Retreat became the latest graded stakes winner for Team Block, parlaying an absolutely dream trip under jockey Julien Leparoux into a one-length victory over Persuading in Saturday's $100,000 Honey Fox at Gulfstream Park.

Dialed In, winner of the Holy Bull Stakes, will prep for the Florida Derby by facing older horses in an optional claiming race Sunday.

While Mucho Macho Man will skip the 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby, trainer Rick Dutrow said there is a chance that Flashpoint could make his two-turn debut in the Grade 1 fixture.

Mucho Macho Man, winner of the Grade 2 Risen Star, will return to Fair Grounds to have his final Kentucky Derby prep in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby on March 26.

As each successive split was posted on the timer during the running of Sunday's $150,000 Canadian Turf at Gulfstream Park, it seemed the chances of pacesetter Little Mike winning the race was getting increasing smaller.

Kentucky Derby favorite Uncle Mo stepped up the pace a little more on Sunday morning, working five furlongs in 1:00.60 at Palm Meadows in company with Todd Pletcher-trained stablemate Stay Thirsty.

Soldat left little doubt he's just as capable on a fast track as he is over slop or grass after leading from start to finish en route to a two-length victory over Gourmet Dinner in Saturday's $400,000 Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park.