Mendelssohn wants to be the 1st winner of the Kentucky Kentucky Derby

Mendelssohn wants to be the 1st winner of the Kentucky Kentucky Derby

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky, USA (AP) – No horse in Europe has won the Kentucky Derby.

But few horses have equaled the world. Mendelssohn's trotting credentials, the 5-1 seconds choice for the biggest US race on Saturday.

Perhaps Mendelssohn, based in Ireland, will give the first stage of the Triple Crown an international touch.

It is loaded with talent and a robust personality. As he stepped onto Churchill Downs ground for the first time on Thursday morning, Mendelssohn let out a shout to announce his arrival.

There was nothing shy about this boy.

It was Mendelssohn's public debut after two days in quarantine to ensure that he and three companions trained by Aidan O & # 39; Brien showed no signs of illness after their flight overseas.

"He just did a very smooth exercise around the track," said Pat Keating, O & # 39; Brien's travel assistant. "We could not be happier with him, we just wanted to get him out and stretch our legs, no problems, all right."

And that could be bad news for the competition. Mendelssohn has already demonstrated the ability to handle challenges around the world.

After posting a modest 1-for-4 record to begin his career in Europe, Mendelssohn headed to California in November to capture the Breeders & # 39; Juvenile Lawn on Del Mar.

He then returned to Europe with the long-term goal of preparing for the Derby and changing the grass to the ground. His first race this year was a victory over a synthetic surface in Ireland.

And then came a resounding win at the UAE Derby in Dubai in March, where Mendelssohn romped for 18 ½ lengths to win a trip to Kentucky, where he was raised.

Returning from the desert, Mendelssohn completed his preparations for Derby at the famous Ballydolyle training center in County Tipperary.

Now he has returned to the USA UU With an impressive record backed by a powerful pedigree. His father was the late Scat Daddy, who has four children in this year's Derby. He is half brother to the retired mare Beholder, four times winner of the Eclipse Prize.

The combination of good looks and golden lineage is why Mendelssohn achieved a sales surplus of $ 3 million in the Keeneland Yearling 2016 sales of the Derrick Smith trio, Mrs. John Magnier and Michael Tabor.

"They looked a lot alike, Mendelssohn and Beholder," said Fred Mitchell, who raised both at his Clarkland Farm in Lexington, Kentucky. "They were not big foals and they did not start to mature until we started preparing them for sales." He had such a beautiful look about him, it was amazing, he looked like a horse with class "

And maybe a negotiation, if Mendelssohn wins another victory the Saturday in his last travel diary.