Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf

A year after Beholder wrapped up her career with a thrilling third Breeders' Cup victory, her younger half-brother Mendelssohn grabbed the baton.

Racing just off the pace throughout while saving ground, Mendelssohn deftly angled out in the stretch under Ryan Moore then powered to the first Grade 1 victory of his career in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Nov. 3 at Del Mar.

Mendehlssohn actually had been pre-entered as first preference for the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile and second preference in the Juvenile Turf. But O'Brien thought after an up and down start for Mendelssohn in his career, he didn't want to throw a new surface at the son of Scat Daddy.

"He's progressed with every race. We were afraid to change him up, so we kept him on the grass," O'Brien said. "He's stepped up every time. This is marvelous. It's been a big team effort this year."

Moore angled Mendelssohn out in the stretch and he proved to have another gear, quickly taking command while West Point Thoroughbreds' Untamed Domain and Jose Ortiz launched a rally to finish a length behind in second, but not threatening the winner.

A future big start on dirt is still very much front of mind with the connections. Even though Mendelssohn ran well on the turf Friday, earlier in the week O'Brien said he would consider Mendelssohn for next year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve on the dirt at Churchill Downs.

Consigned by his breeder to the 2016 Keeneland September yearling sale, Mendelssohn topped that sale when purchased for $3 million by M.V. Magnier. - Frank Angst