REPLAY: 2018 UAE Derby - Mendelssohn

[@colinlynam877]

One of the best performances of all time

[@dsauce223]

I think so too.

[@kwgrid]

Will be an exciting KD this year. Post positions may tell the tale as well as weather.

[@martin-qm5ho]

Got a 106 beyers rating for this race and is future wager odds Kentucky Derby pool 4 at 10-1. That is a steal in my book raced on turf, synthetic and now dirt first time. Travelled around the world three different race tracks and is fast out the gate. Heard Mendelssohn is favorite in european bookmakers for Kentucky Derby. Very hard to pass up this horse.

[@THIRTYSIXRED]

Been a while since I have seen such a dominating performance

[@stuarth4296]

Bellamy Road. Wood Memorial. 2005. 17 and a half lengths romp. 120 Beyer. Highest ever pre Derby. Finished up the track Derby day...Huge efforts like these often do. Lost to Giacomo.

[@dsauce223]

Then Flightline came along, lol.

[@sharedancestors]

For those saying he beat a weak field which negates this performance I say ridiculous! It doesn't matter who was behind him - could have been the worst group in the world or some of the best - he BEAT THE RECORD by 1.4 SECONDS on what was rated a fair playing track. His stride coming into the final turn and down the final stretch was beautiful - a stellar performance.

[@pauladwyer6236]

Yeah, great look at his powering stride from 1:50 to 2:00. SO impressive!!

[@wesleythreadgill2173]

This makes me love horse racing .,what a weekend of great races

[@Yorkiepups]

Shaping up for a derby of the ages this year ! With Mendelssohn, Bolt d‘oro, Audible, Justify, magnum moon. Just to bad McKinzie is hurt. I know the record of foreign horses in the derby is not exactly stellar. But none outside of Arazi had the brilliance of this colt, and it doesn’t hurt to have a world class trainer and jockey. But Arazi had all kinds of issues before the derby. This colt is coming over in top form, look out.

[@wesleythreadgill2173]

I agree man ,this derby is the best in years I like bolt doro but after seeing this race its hard to not believe if he's in the derby he will easily won ,,he is so fast ,,wow

[@gunloc26]

KY Bred horse

[@MikeJunior24K]

Was this a mile and an 1/8th? If so he was 6 seconds slower the justify Santa Anita time...

[@serboniferhasty-618]

MikeJunior24K A mile and a 1/4.

[@Yorkiepups]

MikeJunior24K 1 mile 3/16 . But it's not possible to compare different dirt surfaces anyway, because each dirt surface is different. Even the the dirt surface at the same track can change during the day depending on weather and track maintenance.

[@mikeevans468]

No Contest..Mendelssohn Literally Ran the Group off of it's Feet...A LEGITIMATE front-end Threat for the KD!!

[@davidaikels9013]

Mendelssohn is a machine!!!

[@RockFreakPTY]

He just blew me away today. He’s definitely a half brother of Beholder. What a great horse.

[@GBeret83]

@Frank Guerrero, My fervent hope is that come November we get to see Mendelssohn & Thunder Snow both in the starting gate together for this year's Breeders Cup Classic! That would be awesome.

[@RockFreakPTY]

GBeret83 I agree but before that we have a very exciting triple Crown series ahead of us. I hadn’t been so excited about the KD for the longest time. This years crop is the best I’ve seen in a long time. And Florida Derby just proved it today after Audible gave an outstanding performance. The talent this season is just too much.

[@12MatthewHarrison]

For anyone saying this is a weak race just check out some of the horses that were mullered by Mendelssohn here, they're no mugs. Multiple Group Race winners aren't mugs. Good race this with a mightily impressive winner. Lots more to come.

[@gregrollins7492]

just so you guys know this horse ran a little over 9.5 furlongs in this race and broke the record by 1.4 seconds. he's already a breeders cup champion on turf. so comparing times and numbers. you must consider this horse ran more than the derby distance with the gallop out after the finish line. this horse is almost a lock to win the derby. justify will have to fight for every inch if he was to win. this horse is a presser type will not be burnt out by a hot pace. everybody else is running for place.

[@tonycapriman]

Wow what a horse and a win !! Kentucky Derby bound !!

[@desowens1295]

I think we seen the next super star

[@4orrcountry]

With all the speed in the Kentucky Derby, it's doubtful any of it will hold and win.

[@kwgrid]

Why did Ryan hit him in the last 100 yards? They were already so far ahead that losing wasn't gonna happen. I hope they didn't burn him out like what happened to Arrogate with his incredible Dubai performance.

[@helixcheerleader]

I've been thinking about it a lot, I have several theories. Post race comments from Ryan Moore included the fact that he said the horse was still green at the end of the race, I imagine he wanted him to keep focusing... he probably also didn't want to teach him to gear down the finish line, if he's still green then he is still learning his job - and importantly, since European horses don't typically win with insane margins, I am assuming he also wanted to teach the horse to keep running and not slow down even when they're alone out in front. The other possibility is that since there is a 5 week turnaround and the horse only had one other start this year, a soft easy win in the Dundalk Patton S. they wanted to get him fit. Europeans get their horses fit by racing them, more than working them like it is done in the USA.

[@kwgrid]

That kinda makes sense. Thanks.

[@bettygomez4304]

maybe with plans to go to the derby they wanted him to ride out to get someconditioning in him

[@johnhurd8616]

If Mendelssohn runs those fractions in the Kentucky derby, he will run a 158 and beat the record. A great horse can run on dirt or turf, first time on dirt and a new track record WOW. I hope that he will be able to run back to this form in Kentucky.

[@JohnnyLTSD]

He actually would run just under a 2:02 if he ran the exact same fractions but extended to 10 furlongs.

[@5burowz]

LOL...break the record?

[@stuarth4296]

Yeah, and he would get a nice hand ride like that nice and easy out of the gate against a slow field where he could slowly get loose on the lead. A tactical speed horse's wet dream. GIVE ME A BREAK! That would never happen in the KY Derby where 20 horses explode out of the gate and one of the jockeys named Rajiv is known for slamming into horses from time to time. SO watch out! LOL...

[@howtobeme8248]

Omg I’m speechless best performance I’ve seen this year he’s definitely my derby horse! Was this his first start on dirt ? Because if so wow

[@GBeret83]

@#Howtobeme, Yes it was. Today was Mendelssohn's conventional dirt debut, and what a debut it was. He'd won prior to this on turf in Europe & America, and most recently on polytrack in Ireland.

[@NebulizerChi]

First time going more than a mile, too

[@howtobeme8248]

GBeret83 his BC juvenile turf win was awesome, he has won on both dirt and turf wich is a great quality and he has amazing bloodlines, by a top sire (who sadly died too young) and by a mare that has produced champion Beholder and top sire into mischief, he’s got it all.

[@howtobeme8248]

NebulizerChi this Horse should like the derby distance!

[@wesleythreadgill2173]

Wow,,im a bolt doro,fan but if he runs like that in the derby nobody has a chance not even justify every ones favorite ,not mine though ,I think he's one of my new favorites now ,,I respect that it was Amazing he destroyed them ,,like secretariat kinda ,,wow

[@outsideadventures6043]

Wesley Threadgill I myself like this race because it was his first race on dirt. The way that he won wasnt mindblowing to me, he was supposed to win like that if he took to dirt. The competition was was soft and he was running hard but again his first race on dirt wich is the key point of this race. He should improve second time on dirt. The race I think that impresses me more is the Breeders Cup Juvinille Turf he won. If im not mistaken he beat "My Boy Jack" that day. Another thing im impressed with is his ability to ship and win which others Including the horse I pic Justify havent proved they can do yet. Im from the Santa Anita circut there almost daily so Im bias. I will use Mendelssohn in pic 4 tri box things like that if he wins it wouldnt shock anybody he is a beast.

[@wesleythreadgill2173]

David Accardo do u think he can handle the derby field.

[@outsideadventures6043]

Wesley Threadgill I think he is good enough to win however I am going with Justify as my top choice. Mendelssohn is a beast however and it wouldnt suprise me if he wins I just think Justify is peaking at the right time. I love the fact however that Mendelssohn has shipped and won. I know the breeders cup turf is a different surface but he beat "My Boy Jack" that day then in this Dubai race showed he can handle dirt. I will use him in exotics box bets things like that.

[@wesleythreadgill2173]

David Accardo do u think justify will win the triple crown ,,he looks amazing and has speed.,not like Mendellson though ,,was that a one time thing we will see ,no one can beat him running like that 17 lengths wow

[@rockers7889]

Did Stevens ride him with a buzzer ? Gulch Gulch Gulch

[@charleslockhart6778]

Wow. This horse seems to have it all. Speed, stamina, superior breeding, a top trainer, and a top jock. Can run on dirt or grass. He will have a very good group of horses to contend with in the derby which will only enhance his value should he win. The future looks bright for Mendelssohn on track and in the breeding shed.

[@SumoCumLoudly]

Its going to take a huge performance to beat this horse over 10f on dirt. Justify might not be streetwise enough, hes never faced a horse this good but hes obviously a special horse as well.

[@encoreautos716.5]

At that time I was there

[@campbell6137]

Finished handily for no reason, that colt could have breezed to a 10 lenght win. Great posture too

[@smitagore1821]

Derby winner will be only Justify and second place will be Mendelssohn

[@davidromangonzalez2695]

This horse has an amazing strike as a front runner, but the best thing is that the more the other horses fight him the better strike his jockey will get out of this horse. He will probably win the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness by letting the other horses look at his tail throughout both races. However, I don't think he can win the Belmont because it is a race of pacing and this horse just know how to run all out and in front. So unless his breeding is for distance such as 1 mile and a half. he can only win two legs out of the triple crown. Excellent Horse with an incredible strike and form...

[@cgarnet01]

This makes you wonder what could have been had so many of Scat Daddy's foals not been sent overseas to race on grass. At least it sends my mind into speculative overdrive.

[@jeffmejia3556]

A word about speed bias. If you’ve been around racing for awhile then you know that on big racing days the tracks are lightening fast. This isn’t uncommon. Santa Anita my home base track always plays quick on big race days. Come on horses can run a sub 22 first quarter in a route and still win. What you SHOULD be concerned about are the horses that win on these days and post slow times. If you want to talk yourself out of why Mendelssohn’s performance wasn’t worthy as being good then I’ll put my $2 win bet that you are someone who tears up a lot of losing tickets too.

[@trueguru6570]

not saying this horse does not look good, just saying he won't do this against a 20 horse field with justify, d'oro, good magic, vino rosso, etc. in there

[@stuarth4296]

Yeah, especially when they are having to hand ride him out of the gate. In the Derby you have to take hold of your horse out of the gate so they do not run away on you. Totally different dynamic. Very good horse though. Give him a race or two on the dirt now that he is back here.

[@wesleythreadgill2173]

Didn't know mckenzie was hurt ,he's a great horse give him credit after the last race with bolt doro ,but this horse if he's in the derby he will probably win ,but bolt will be beside him ,.

[@savancollins5032]

Derby Winner

[@Tiger_Pawzzzzz]

I think the Horse to beat is Justify. He is running fast times with his ear pricked only question is can he run the 1m and 1/4. strong

[@indiablackwell]

it's hard to tell from the Dubai races how good these three year olds are

[@angelmontero6624]

His only G1 win, but in the USA he wasn't match for those runners.

[@ernestogamez6402]

Am i the only one that noticed the jockey whip the horse on the stretch ....before that I didn't see him reach back

[@raulsantana6646]

What distance is this UAE derby.

[@suntrespasser9684]

Raul Santana Approximately 9f.

[@williamdunphy352]

Raul Santana 1 Mile & 3/16. Same distance as the Preakness.

[@raulsantana6646]

William T Dunphy ,thanks 😊

[@williamdunphy352]

Raul Santana Thank you.

[@kourtlandperry1698]

Raul Santana 9 furlongs

[@markhepler6064]

Seems all top derby horses like to at or near the front. Could be a year for a huge long shot closer. My Boy Jack is one that I will play, still studying otherwise. Good luck to all in the debt.

[@markhepler6064]

Debt=derby. =debt. Lol.

[@taxisteve929]

Can someone tell me why he was all over the horse when he was winning by 12 lengths, an obvious winner?? I know you get aggressive for this kind of money, and I could see them wanting to see what a horse has for the future, but not just before he ships overseas for the Kentucky Derby. Just looks like he asked the horse for everything here when he could have coasted. Maybe there is a reason, but I don't know what it could be.

[@jimcunningham61]

Major player for the derby , should be a great race

[@richardjones7324]

non factor

[@jimcunningham61]

Richard Jones I usually don’t like horses coming from Dubai, but this horse has dirt breeding and a half brother to beholder

[@richardjones7324]

captain Spaulding if hes so great why didnt he go to the florida derby rather then the uae derby

[@jimcunningham61]

Richard Jones 2 million $ race don’t hurt , and his trainer based in Europe

[@richardjones7324]

captain Spaulding listen to me and youll save money

[@462joejoe]

We could be looking at the first UAE derby winner to win the Kentucky Derby! So far the American Derby contenders don't look that strong, he might go of as the favorite for the Kentucky Derby.

[@LVCrocky]

+joe I disagree. we have 2 Monsters . Bolt d'Oro and Justify. 1 of these 2 can and will win the Ky. Derby with the edge going 2 Bolt. also both horses have the talent 2 go on and capture the Triple Crown with again the edge going 2 Bolt. now if 1 or both of these 2 Monsters don't run in the Ky Derby then Mendelssohn and the Rebel winner will move up. yes his performance in the UAE Derby was huge winning by 18 lengths and running 2 seconds faster then any 3yr old has run so far. he won the BC Juv Turf last November. versatile animal winning on various surfaces. but no horse that has won the UAE Derby and then ran in the Ky. Derby has ever won. that stat won't change this yr. as far as competing 4 the minor awards underneath the 2 Monsters sure he can.3rd/4th Tri/Supf wide open. as far as time goes there's an old saying around the racetracks. (Time is what you do in jail)

[@outsideadventures6043]

LVCrocky Justify is better that Bolt he just got his spirit broke by him infact In the Santa Anita Derby I think Justify and Mckenzie both better than D Oro.. However I had Medilia D oro beating Siphonic at 15 to 1 at Santa Anita years ago..

[@LVCrocky]

+David Accardo I agree with your comment. after the performance in the Santa Anita Derby Justify clearly is at #1 and will be a deservingly KY Derby favorite. Bolt d'Oro is at #2 my plan as of now is to nix the win bet and double up with a large exacta bet on those 2. i'll box the exacta just to cover myself but Justify does look like the 1. this reminds me of 1978 Affirmed vs Alydar.

[@outsideadventures6043]

LVCrocky He does remind me of Affirmed also. He will be my first pic as well. I havent seen the form but just on talent alone and we havent actually seen him be asked to prove what he is made of. Im sure he is full of confidence being undefeated and when they ask him im sure he is gonna respond. Mendelssohn is very talented also and if im not mistaken won first time in dirt? So if thats true second time on dirt could improve and run the best race of his life. What you think about the race Noble Indy ran? Ill incude him in tri and supe on pic 4 incase bad breaks. Im a local at yhe Santa Anita track so I always am pulling for West Coast Horses. Lets go Justify!

[@outsideadventures6043]

LVCrocky I just wattched Mendelssohn race again he was trying hard.. I cant see him running with Justify in the stretch Im even more Confident Justify will win the KD and make it look easy.

[@jeffmejia3556]

Unfortunately you have a lot of anti Arab sentiment thrown around. Of all the Derby preps Mendelssohn was the most impressive of them all. The UAE Derby was he best of them all. If and that’s the big IF Mendelssohn can handle the half way around the world trip then he wins the Derby. But it’s doubtful. History has shown over and over again that horses that run there and ship aren’t the same for months.

[@bermanmo6237]

Dude, really no need to pull out the race card. We are just saying the horse may be great. We are just not sure against the better American 3 year old like those in the Arkansas Derby, Florida Derby, Santa Anita Derby, Blue Grass States, and the Wood Memorial Stakes. You know, the top 5 Kentucky Derby preps. I do agree he is running against the milers since the better 3 year olds distance horses would compete in a different set of races.

[@junpadilla3687]

too slow for 1400meter ,justify might be the second favorite in the kentucky ....ill bet for justify

[@depalma13]

Inside speed favoring track with a bunch of below average horses mostly milers behind him. The filly ran the same exact race she ran in her previous and still wired the remainder of the field. Don't fall for this. It was nothing but a quarter horse race to see who got the lead. Once there no other horse had a chance. 75% of winners at the Dubai meet were in front by the half mile pole. Nice horse, but he isn't bringing that track to Louisville.

[@memolimemoli1968]

depalma13 u forgetting reride won hes last race easy second to him run great race after.mendelsson destoreyed him here snd will improve too.

[@jakesullivan4116]

Tell that to X Y JET

[@richardjones7324]

your exactly right....not even arrogate could handle coming back from dubai and he was proven. AUDIBLE is my pick

[@memolimemoli1968]

Anybody not impress for this performance muat be blind.first run in dirt from the yard has no dirt training ground.

[@richardjones7324]

memoli memoli we will see who is right on the first saturday in may. Dubai dirt track is well known for strong inside bias. This feild was week...he was much the best against this competition.

[@oranpayne1007]

Mendelssohn is a joke What his time was just like walking a mile and 1/8. If Mendelssohn was such a great horse or even a good horse then how come he wasn't in the Florida, Santa Anita, Wood memorial, Arkansas, blue grass, and other derby's that showcase how good a horse really is. Mendelssohn will try and steal the race with Justify and that moon horse, but when the real race starts coming off the 4th turn into the stretch Audible will be breathing down their neck and running right pass them like they were standing still. Audible has what all championship horses have and that is a SEPERATION GEAR. When the rest of the horses are dead tired, Audibles Seperation gear will kick in and the Derby will be a RAP. Audible has won 4 graded races just this year alone, and won the Florida derby going away with a fast time. YOU people out there in Cyperspace remember that you heard it from me that Audible will not only win the Derby but run away from the field in the Derby. so much for all these horse racing experts, racing pundits, racing handicappers, insiders in Vegas and a host of other clowns that don't know their ass from a hole in the ground. Audible is the horse to beat and will kick major ass in the Derby. remember you heard it first from me.

[@wildmansamurai3663]

Oran Payne 😂😂😂😂😂

[@Tiger_Pawzzzzz]

Reminds me of Mubjahij who smashed the UAE derby then struggled in the derby.Although this horse looks like the real deal. I did a quick look at the times and this horse is sixth fastest time to run the UAE derby.So he could be competitive in the derby.He was hard ridden. The American horses might be running faster times.Bolt D'ro ran 1 1/16 miles in 1: 42minutes with long stretch duel with Mckinzie. I think they're faster than this horse.

[@mosshourigan]

how can that be,he broke the track record?

[@mosshourigan]

as an irishman i would love to see him win the kentucky derby but that said the track was clearly favoring horses on the front end and i'm pretty sure those behind him would have been at least that far away in any kentucky derby ever run.

[@Tiger_Pawzzzzz]

Yeah, you are right. He broke the track record by 2 seconds this Horse is the real deal.

[@johanmanueldiaz6327]

R FlorezD mubtajhii smashed the competition in 2015 uae derby BUT the final time was not impressive only 1:58 Mendelssohn did 1:55

[@jedinitedj8926]

remember meters are longer than furlongs. if you convert meters to furlonngs, then Mendelssohn is a whole 2 seconds faster than Justify.

[@BTrip37]

Just for some perspective, Secretariat won the Belmont by DOUBLE the distance that Mendelssohn won here. 37 lengths.

[@kwgrid]

31

[@charleslockhart6778]

It was 31 lengths. Living up to your moniker.

[@jo.azaleac9256]

FYI it's actually 31

[@NebulizerChi]

Yikes

[@michealrucker5879]

beat a weak field

[@johnhurd8616]

I hope that the public agrees with you, It will sweeten the pot in Kentucky for me.

[@jasonblake2918]

Will not win the derby and that's a guarantee