Mendelssohn targets three-race U.S. campaign

Aidan O’Brien on Monday revealed plans to overseas media to race the 3-year-old colt Mendelssohn in the July 7 Dwyer Stakes at Belmont Park and in the Sept. 22 Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing with a final American start this year in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Mendelssohn won the Grade 2, $2 million UAE Derby by more than 18 lengths making him one of the better-fancied runners in the Kentucky Derby, but Mendelssohn found traffic and appeared to flounder over the wet track at Churchill Downs and finished last of 20 in the Derby.

He has resumed training at O’Brien’s yard in Ireland, Ballydoyle, and will have another try at American dirt races in just about a month’s time. Mendelssohn, like Triple Crown winner Justify, is by the deceased stallion Scat Daddy. Mendelssohn was produced by the Henny Hughes mare, Leslie’s Lady, the dam of dirt standouts like champion Beholder and the good sire Into Mischief.