Uncle Mo 's Crystal Quest rallied down the stretch to win the Sophomore Turf Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs March 24 to give his sire his 100th black-type stakes win.
It was the third win in four starts for the 3-year-old, who made his debut finishing 10th in a Dec. 3, 2023 maiden optional claimer at Gulfstream Park, where he ran his first three races.
With Javier Castellano in the irons, the Florida-bred Crystal Quest went five wide at the far turn to challenge the leaders. Refusing to give in, Crystal Quest went on for a 3/4-length victory over a firm turf. He stopped the clock for the 1 1/16-mile race in 1:41.86.
The colt is a Live Oak homebred and is trained by Michael Trombetta. In addition to his three wins, Crystal Quest has $122,400 in earnings.
He is out of the Giant's Causeway mare Giant Crystal.
Uncle Mo stands for $150,000 at Ashford Stud In Versailles, Ky. He was the fourth-leading sire by progeny earnings in 2023 and was among the top eight in the three years prior. He entered stud in 2012 and his all-time top earner is Nyquist, who banked more than $5 million.
Uncle Mo, who was a champion 2-year-old colt in 2010, is sire to three champions (Nyquist, Rosalba Maria in Venezuela, and Kalina in Mexico) from his 11 crops. He also has 49 graded black-type winners.
Through March 24, his progeny have earned $112,576,564 for an average of $91,081.
