Mo Tom wins the Ohio Derby

Mo Tom and Javier Castellano pair up to win the $500,000 Ohio Derby for Gayle and Tom Benson.

Mo Tom was clearly the best, winning the $500,000 Ohio Derby with authority Saturday. A clean trip gave the talented Uncle Mo colt a clear path to victory by three lengths. Recent efforts in the Kentucky Derby, Louisiana Derby and Risen Star Stakes were stymied by traffic problems.

The 3-year-old son of Uncle Mo earned $300,000 for owner GMB Racing, bringing his career earnings to $591,526. Mo Tom was purchased for $150,000 at the 2014 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Ridden for the first time by Javier Castellano on Saturday, Mo Tom settled at the back of the field until coming into the final turn of the 1 1/8 mile race. Lengthening his stride, Mo Tom stayed to the outside and picked off the field one by one. Coming out of the turn, he was wide, in the clear and took the advantage to kick home in 1:51.82.

Mo Tom paid $4.20, $2.80 and $2.40. Second place Adventist paid $4.80 and $3.40; and Discreet Lover paid $14.80 to show. The $1.00 Trifecta returned $149.20 and the $0.50 Pick Five returned $200.10.

Tom Amoss trains Mo Tom for GMB Racing, the stable owned by Gayle Benson. Mo Tom is named for her husband, Tom Benson, owner of the New Orleans Saints and the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Bensons brought along some racing fans from their sports teams to cheer on Mo Tom. GMB Racing’s Twitter timeline from the day tells all.

Seated: Tom Benson
From left: Gayle Benson, Mickey Loomis, Javier Castellano, Dennis Lauscha, Greg Bensel, Colleen Amoss, Tom Amoss