Mendelssohns March Scores In The Slop At Oaklawn

7th-Oaklawn, $103,000, Alw (NW2L)/Opt. Clm ($100,000), 3-9, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 1:45.38, sy, 1 1/2 lengths.
MENDELSSOHNS MARCH (c, 3, Mendelssohn–Unappeased {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) led the whole way when debuted over a mile on the grass at the Fair Grounds Feb. 2 just to be nailed on the line by a drifting rival and awarded the win via a steward's decision. A distant 8-1 behind heavily favored Heroic Move (Quality Road), the Triple Crown-nominated colt raced in the second flight along the rail, taking kickback on the dirt for the first time. Still rated in sixth as the tightly-bunched field, paced by Heroic Move, swung around the turn, Mendelssohn's March wove his way through traffic, finally got racing room with a furlong to run, and sprinted through an opening to clear off close to home. 24-1 longshot El Tomate (Runhappy) closed from last to get up for the exacta but was 1 1/2 lengths back from Mendelssohns March.

Unappeased, already responsible for Oaklawn S. winner and GI Kentucky Derby third Mr. Big News (Giant's Causeway), SW & GISP, $478,753, traces back to a prolific family that includes MGSW & G1SP Danon Ballade (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and MGISP Sligo Bay (Ire) (Sadler's Wells). Third dam Ballade also produced Canadian horse of the year Glorious Song (Halo), champion grass horse MG1SW Singspiel (Ire) (In the Wings {GB}), champion 2-year-old Devil's Bag (Halo) and MGSW Saint Ballado (Halo). Unappeased has a 2-year-old Hard Spun filly but did not produce a foal last year after breedings to both Constitution and American Pharoah. Sales History: $110,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $91,800. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
O-Harold Lerner LLC, Nehoc Stables, AWC Stables and Team Stallion Racing Stable; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Kenneth G. McPeek.