Weekend Stakes Beyer: Mendelssohn 106; Audible 99

[Kitan]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

I realize that the Kentucky Derby is more important than any other race Mendelssohn can win on the main track, but again, I don't think the Coolmore people hold their breath waiting to win that sort of race in North America.

Coolmore often simply tosses horses in their main US targets (on the dirt, that is), the BC Juvenile, BC Classic, and Kentucky Derby hoping for some blind luck.

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

The five week turnaround from Dubai is of no concern?

I can only speak for myself, but my comments were focused towards those somewhat disregarding his performance on Saturday. I have not thought about who I would pick for the Derby and at 6-1 he's not worth betting in futures, but at the moment I'm not too concerned about the turnaround. Let's look at the progression of horses O'Brien has run in the KY Derby.

Castle Gandolfo: only had one 8f prep a month out from the Derby and was running on dirt for the first time.
Johannesburg: only had one 7f prep a month out from the Derby.
Master of Hounds: ran 5th in Derby (first dirt start; Kingmambo x Sadler's Wells) and after only having one run that year (UAE Derby).
Daddy Long Legs: had only run/won the UAE Derby, and was previously beaten 19 lengths in the BC Juv Dirt.
Lines of Battle: ran 7th in Derby (first dirt start; War Front x Arch) and after only having one run that year (UAE Derby).

So, they have recently had two turf-bred runners run decent Derby races on their dirt debuts after coming from their lone prep race in Dubai. While I don't disagree that Coolmore is a breeding operation and at times just throws horses in dirt races for the sake of it, there is no question that they are also gunning for the prestige of beating Godolphin and the others to that elusive KY Derby win. They have undoubtedly learned from past experiences, as any top stable would. Mendelssohn is completely different to those that have run in the past. He has an elite dirt pedigree, has won on the surface, has shipped to the USA and won, is a G1 winner, and had been meticulously aimed/prepped for the KY Derby. They are not just hoping and giving him a chance; this has been his goal all winter/spring.

Originally Posted by knickslions2

Appreciate your point of view Kitan especially being there live. Like I said the horse ran very well but still feel he had a perfect set up and has a lot to over come to win in Kentucky. There are some fast pace horses this year from what I've seen so far. Hope all is well

Meant that I have watched the races in real time (e.g. simulcast) with the exception of this past weekend! Hope all is well there also.