Pletcher: Uncle Mo is OK with a day off

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Trainer Todd Pletcher assured everyone that Uncle Mo, the 5-2 favorite for the $5 million Classic on Saturday, was fine even though the 3-year-old colt never left the barn area on Tuesday morning.

Racing blogs were buzzing when Uncle Mo, last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner at Churchill Downs, did not come to the track for his usual morning exercise. He had his final workout for the Classic on Sunday and went for an easy jog on Monday.

With Uncle Mo, any deviation in schedule raises red flags because of his health history. He missed the Kentucky Derby in May with a liver ailment that knocked him out of the Triple Crown, and sidelined him until late August.

Pletcher said the day off was by design, not necessity.

``He just stayed in the barn,'' Pletcher said. ``It gives you guys something to worry about, but I feel like we're coming up to the race in excellent shape with what I feel is the most talented horse in the race.''

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GO GREEN: Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer has proclaimed November ``Jockey Health and Safety Month'' in advance of Breeders' Cup weekend.

The Jockeys' Guild is asking all horse racing fans to wear green to the track during November to show their appreciation for jockeys. The Guild is inviting several disabled jockeys to the Breeders Cup as its guests.

``There aren't many professions like horse racing, where ambulances follow you as you work,'' said Terry Meyocks, national manager of the Jockeys' Guild.

``We want race fans to understand the risks jockeys take on the track while constantly looking for ways to reduce those risks. To have jockeys see this visible sign of support will be greatly uplifting.''

Jockeys will be discussing the issue of rider safety at various events throughout November, including public appearances and charitable events. They also will be handing out green ``Jockey Boot'' patches for people to wear to show support for rider health and safety.

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BACK AGAIN: Goldikova, the remarkable mare from France seeking a fourth straight win in Mile on the turf, had her first jog at Churchill Downs on a crisp, clear Tuesday morning.

The first three-time winner in the Breeders' Cup cleared the required quarantine and went to the track with six other European runners for some light exercise. The 6-year-old is 2-3-0 in five starts this season, having suffered narrow loses in her past two stakes in France.

Trainer Freddie Head was en route to Louisville on Tuesday, leaving the supervision to assistant Regis Barbedette.

``It's something you think about every day,'' Barbedette said of the mare's Breeders' Cup success. ``With what she's already achieved, she's already made history. If she were to win a fourth, it would definitely climb up another step.''

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NO RELIEF: Prayer for Relief has been scratched from the Classic, reducing the field to 12.

Breeders' Cup officials said Tuesday morning that the 3-year-old colt had developed a fever and would remain in California at trainer Bob Baffert's barn.

Prayer for Relief started the season with four straight wins, including the Iowa Derby, the West Virginia Derby and the Super Derby at Louisiana Downs. His lone loss of the season came in his last start, a third-place finish in the Oklahoma Derby.

The loss of Prayer for Relief still leaves Baffert with a horse in the Classic: Santa Anita Handicap winner Game On Dude.