Last year as a 3-year-old colt, KINGSBARNS (Uncle Mo) kept his perfect record intact when he went gate to wire to win the GII Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds, which secured himself a slot in the GI Kentucky Derby.

The Todd Pletcher trainee finished 14th in America's signature race and a bout with colic sidelined him before the GI Belmont S. He did return to be the runner-up in the Pegasus S. at Monmouth Park in mid-June and that was the last time he was seen.

Returning here, the colt's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale ticket was originally signed by Tom McCrocklin, agent, on behalf of Champion Equine for $250,000. The bay then brought the fourth highest return when Spendthrift Farm went to $800,000 during the Fasig-Tipton Florida Select 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale during March of the following year.

Out of GSP Lady Tapit (Tapit), Kingsbarns counts as a half-brother Weaponized (Gun Runner), a $650,000 buy for John Stewart at last year's Keeneland September Sale. His dam is a half-sister to GI American Oaks heroine Gozzip Girl (Dynaformer), who produced Japanese G2 American Jockey Club Cup victor (Chuck Nate (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}). TJCIS PPS

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“I was very happy with the breeze,” said trainer Doug O'Neill. “I got him in 1:01 and out [six furlongs] in 1:13 and change.”

The winner of the GII Louisiana Derby Mar. 20, the dark bay most recently finished third at 5-1 odds in the May 1 Kentucky Derby.

Prat, winner of last week's GI Preakness S. with Rombauer (Twirling Candy), is expected to be reunited with Hot Rod Charlie for the 1 1/2-mile Classic.

“He looked great,” added O'Neill. “If all goes well, he'll breeze again here Friday and get on a plane [to New York] on Saturday.”

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