Mendelssohn Rerouted to England

Mendelssohn | Breeders' Cup/Eclipse Sportswire

Mendelssohn (Scat Daddy), last-start winner of the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar Nov. 4, will make his sophomore debut in Saturday's Listed Spring Cup S. going seven furlongs over the all-weather track at Lingfield after his intended return in Friday's Listed Patton S. at Dundalk in Ireland was postponed due to a winter storm.

The $3-million topper from the 2016 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, the half-brother to multiple champion Beholder (Henny Hughes) and to leading sire Into Mischief (Harlan's Holiday) was to launch a possible GI Kentucky Derby campaign in the Patton S., a points race on the European Road to the Derby and a test being used as a possible steppingstone to the G2 UAE Derby at Meydan Mar. 31. Mendelssohn was one of a half-dozen runners from the Aidan O'Brien stable engaged to the Patton S., but only two of his stablemates were entered alongside him for the Spring Cup–SW & G1SP Seahenge (Scat Daddy) and the maiden winner Threeandfourpence (War Front). Each of the O'Brien trainees holds an entry for the 1 3/16-mile UAE Derby.

Another Kentucky Derby points race scheduled for Kempton Thursday has attracted Phoenix Thoroughbreds' Gronkowski (Lonhro {Aus}), who figures a warm favorite to follow up on a six-length victory at Newcastle Feb. 9. Jamie Spencer is named to ride for trainer Jeremy Noseda, but that meeting also remains under a weather cloud and a determination will be made early Thursday as to whether racing will go forward. Should the track pass inspection, post time for the 'Road to the Kentucky Derby' Conditions S. is set for 7:30 p.m. local time (2:30 p.m. ET).

The Patton S. and the entire Dundalk program that has been scrapped Friday will now take place Mar. 9. The final Kentucky Derby points race in Europe is the Mar. 30 Burradon S. at Newcastle.

 

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