Belmont Park

Mendelssohn looking to rebound from Derby dud in Dwyer Stakes

David Grening|Jul 02, 2018

Barbara D. Livingston Mendelssohn, who romped in the United Arab Emirates Derby for trainer Aidan O’Brien last out, cleared quarantine Wednesday and visited the Churchill track for the first time Thursday.

ELMONT, N.Y. – Trainer Aidan O’Brien could send as many as six horses to Belmont Park for Saturday’s Stars and Stripes program, with the most intriguing being Mendelssohn for the Grade 3, $300,000 Dwyer Stakes for 3-year-olds at a mile.

Mendelssohn won the United Arab Emirates Derby by 18 1/2 lengths in Dubai but then finished last, beaten 73 1/4 lengths by Justify, in the Kentucky Derby. O’Brien was quoted in the European press as saying that Mendelssohn was not ready for the Kentucky Derby experience, a 20-horse field with swift early fractions.

Mendelssohn could be using the Dwyer as the first race of a three-leg U.S. campaign that could include the Pennsylvania Derby and the Breeders’ Cup Classic. His stablemate Seahenge, at one time under Belmont Stakes consideration, also was expected to ship to New York on Tuesday for the Dwyer.

Others expected to run are Firenze Fire, Noble Indy, Rugbyman, and Seven Trumpets.

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