Wilkes clocks up more winners

NO trainer has been hotter than Ian Wilkes this autumn. The Australian-born conditioner won 10 races from his first 68 starters at Churchill Downs’ fall meet, good enough for second in wins and first in earnings. McCraken certainly contributed to the earnings brigade, breaking his maiden, winning the Street Sense and taking the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club last Saturday.

Owned and bred by Whitham Thoroughbreds, the son of Ghostzapper made the 11 hole look as easy as Farrell did, but took a different approach, lagging near the back, circling and scoring by one and a quarter lengths over Wild Shot and Warrior’s Club. Brian Hernandez guided the favorite to his third win in three starts.

Patient and precise, Wilkes is not known for cranking up his young horses for a quick return. You can be sure McCracken has taken Wilkes, rather than the other way around.

Coolmore and Team D’s Mo wins

MO Town won the Grade 2 Remsen at Aqueduct, furthering his hold as a legitimate Derby contender for the spring. Trained by Tony Dutrow, the son of Uncle Mo improved his career record to two wins from three starts. Purchased for $200,000 by Team D at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, the bay colt finished second in his debut, won his second start and added Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith to Team D before the Remsen.

Stretching nine furlongs, Mo Town tracked the pace before cruising to a two and a half-length score over No Dozing and favourite Takaful.