Classical Cat

A 2 1/2-length debut winner, Classical Cat jumped straight into deep waters, contesting the GI Del Mar Futurity and finishing seventh behind 'TDN Rising Star' Cave Rock (Arrogate). Back in the winner's circle last time out at Santa Anita Oct. 23 in his first try over grass, Classical Cat kept to the grass Friday and broke as the 2-1 second wagering choice behind favored Nagirroc. Off the pace in fourth as Game Time (Not This Time) led the field of six, he hung against the rail before tipping out for...

It's not a too common occurrence for sales-topping purchases to make it on the track despite the world of promise their pedigree, physical, and connections might imply. Further out still is the extraordinary feat of reproducing themselves or--at the very least--producing several runners of equitable talent between them, though stallions have the task on significantly easier asking than do the fillies and mares. Mendelssohn is patiently inching closer to changing that outlook and his Del Mar winner from last Saturday proves the stallion can get a promising runner at any...

5th-Del Mar, $81,500, Msw, 8-20, 2yo, 5 1/2f, 1:03.95, ft, 2 1/2 lengths. CLASSICAL CAT (c, 2, Mendelssohn--Conquest Strate Up {SW, $192,984}, by Not Bourbon), away as the second choice at odds of 5-1 for his career bow, broke a bit to his right from the widest post before settling in to stalk the pace while racing five wide up the backstretch. Tucked in to save ground along the rail as they raced around the turn, he inched up on the dueling leaders and was tipped out three deep to...