I've been watching racing for 35 years, and Mendelssohn's performance probably rates in the top 5 efforts on the flat I've ever seen. Come on chaps, surely he's worth discussing?
It's all subjective I know, but he sent shivers down my spine in a similar fashion to El Gran Senor (2000 Gns), Frankel (Juddmonte), Montjeu (King George) and rivals the best performance on the flat I've ever seen - Arazi in the Breeder's Cup (if you haven't watched it, I believe it's still on Youtube).
He's got to have a massive chance in the KD, and with Ryan Moore looking to tick off bucket list items I fully expect him to travel to Kentucky and eschew a winning ride (possibly 2) in the Guineas.
Visually impressive, but the track and pace had a lot to do with it, I certainly wouldn't put it in the top 5 flat racing performances, or even close. There were several wide margin winners that day, as there is often. If he does the same in the KD, then maybe he can be rated up there with the best (Frankel aside) but personally although i feel RM will ride it, I don't think he will win over there. No European trained horse has to date.
Visually impressive, but the track and pace had a lot to do with it, I certainly wouldn't put it in the top 5 flat racing performances, or even close. There were several wide margin winners that day, as there is often. If he does the same in the KD,
just a shocking dirt track at the moment and over a distance if you raced out wide and off the pace you had no chance, you can only hope they do something to change it for next season.
Mendlessohn clearly an impressive winner and will be interesting to see how he goes in america after this romp against mostly average horses here. It's certainly very interesting how he backs this effort up and he put up a big effort here, so it will be interesting if he can bounce back. Every race run on dirt at meydan needs treating with huge caution but mendlessohn certainly looks a top class recruit to dirt but like i say if you were off the pace out wide at the meeting you had no chance
just a shocking dirt track at the moment and over a distance if you raced out wide and off the pace you had no chance, you can only hope they do something to change it for next season. Mendlessohn clearly an impressive winner and will be interesting
He was visually impressive...substance wise? Maybe not, he was no world beater last season, similarly, Thunder Snow; this year's Meydan festival is a below average renewal, and rich pickings for connections only.
He was visually impressive...substance wise? Maybe not, he was no world beater last season, similarly, Thunder Snow; this year's Meydan festival is a below average renewal, and rich pickings for connections only.
this year's Meydan festival is a below average renewal
never heard this used before, i've heard it when talking about a certain race but never a whole meeting
shame end of another interesting thread for me
this year's Meydan festival is a below average renewalnever heard this used before, i've heard it when talking about a certain race but never a whole meetingshame end of another interesting thread for me
The bookies have joined in. They are offering 4/7 and 6/5 for Moore to ride a non-entity Mendelssohn in the Kentucky Derby rather than Saxon Warrior (2000G fav) or Gustav Klimt in the 2000G respectively. A business decision?
The bookies have joined in. They are offering 4/7 and 6/5 for Moore to ride a non-entity Mendelssohn in the Kentucky Derby rather than Saxon Warrior (2000G fav) or Gustav Klimt in the 2000G respectively. A business decision?
Good to have differing opinions - they're required to form a market.
There may have been a track bias and the opposition may not have been that great but time & form come to Mendelssohn's defence.
He clocked a course record and on my speed ratings posted something in the mid-120's, which for me is classic-winning standard.
Also, 18 lengths is 18 lengths. That's about 30 lbs at the distance. Even if the placed horses were no better than 95-rated handicappers that would put him in the mid-120's too.
Good to have differing opinions - they're required to form a market.There may have been a track bias and the opposition may not have been that great but time & form come to Mendelssohn's defence.He clocked a course record and on my speed ratings post
Were there not more than one track record recorded on that day? Gold Town and the American horse Reride (I think) did not run their races for some reason. Also, there were too many big margin winners for one to be comfortable with the performances of the winners, I believe. Anyway, a differing of opinions is always a plus for a discussion thread like this one.
Mendelssohn is not for me over here or in America.
Were there not more than one track record recorded on that day? Gold Town and the American horse Reride (I think) did not run their races for some reason. Also, there were too many big margin winners for one to be comfortable with the performances of
To be fair the pace bias didn’t affect Mind That Biscuits. My feeling on the night was if you were good enough you would get rewarded.
Suppose people will point out Thunder Snow beating West Coast but West Coast has always been that sort of horse...too many places for my liking.
Thought it was a proper dirt performance from Mendelssohn and will have his chance....probably the best chance a European horse has had for some time.
The draw will be interesting...getting hung out in stall 20/20 would be problematic as would getting drawn in 1 or 2 and then you missing the break. I’m supposing if that happened they could re-evaluate and get a local on board with more know how with Ryan staying at home....he’s professional enough to understand a situation like that imo
FWIW thought Audible was quite smart in the Florida Derby. They went a good clip in that race and he showed a lot of maturity and smooth acceleration to get to the lead and kick away. Nice horse.
To be fair the pace bias didn’t affect Mind That Biscuits. My feeling on the night was if you were good enough you would get rewarded. Suppose people will point out Thunder Snow beating West Coast but West Coast has always been that sort of horse..
Nine of the last 17 Kentucky Derby winners since 2000 have broken from stall 13 or higher and after getting 14 Mendelssohn was installed 5-1 second favourite in the Morning Line odds.
Nine of the last 17 Kentucky Derby winners since 2000 have broken from stall 13 or higher and after getting 14 Mendelssohn was installed 5-1 second favourite in the Morning Line odds.
as you allude to feltfair an outside post is no bad thing in the kentucky derby, nonsense 123 knows his american racing though as he proved on last years breeders cup thread "i believe".
however he has clearly done his homework on stall 14 as mendelssohn will have to break quite a big stat and become the first horse since 1961 to win the race from that gate, there has been 2 horses in the history of the race to win from that stall, however it has been done in the past so can be done if you believe he is good enough to win the race that is.
as you allude to feltfair an outside post is no bad thing in the kentucky derby, nonsense 123 knows his american racing though as he proved on last years breeders cup thread "i believe". however he has clearly done his homework on stall 14 as mendels