This has been five years in the making. Ryan Moore will finally get his chance to ride in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday when he partners the UAE Derby winner Mendelssohn in Louisville.
In 2013 Moore rode at the meeting and was so transfixed by the experience that he vowed to return. The British jockey is a man of few words, but the then 29-year-old was “staggered” by the atmosphere generated by the 151,616 racegoers below Churchill Downs’ famous twin spires.
He believed at the time that there was no comparison to what he had seen. For a man who has won eight British Classics, a Melbourne Cup, two Prix De l’Arc de Triomphes, a Japan Cup and four Breeders’ Cup Turfs that is quite a statement.
On paper, Mendlessohn has a serious chance. He beat Kentucky Oaks contender Rayya at Meydan by an eye-popping 18 and a half lengths. Although it was a visually stunning performance, he stopped the clock impressively, too. By finishing second, Rayya beat her time in the UAE Oaks over the same course and distance by over a second. As he dismounted from the monstrous colt, Moore said that the precious son of deceased sire Scat Daddy could only get better.
MV Magnier was instrumental in purchasing Mendelssohn for the Coolmore syndicate for $3 million at the Keeneland September sale in 2016. He was impressed by the colt’s physique and has been dreaming of this moment ever since.
“The Kentucky Derby was always the dream,” Magnier revealed.
“If we thought he could be half as good as (half sister) Beholder and get him to win on the dirt it is something we aimed to do, but we aim quite a lot and don’t always hit.
“Ryan said afterwards that he was a bit green and he said there was plenty of improvement, so hopefully we will see it in Kentucky.”
The race known as the “Run For the Roses” is the jewel in a Trans-Atlantic Group One Triple Crown this weekend that sees Coolmore up against Godolphin in all three rounds.
Moore has forsaken the opportunity to win a third English 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday by spurning the saddles of Gustav Klimt, widely considered the favorite for the British Classic, and his stablemate Saxon Warrior, who many believe is the English Derby winner-in-waiting. Murillo also runs for Coolmore, most likely as pacemaker, while Godolphin rely on the runaway Craven Stakes winner Masar.
Moore will fly back to Newmarket from Kentucky on Saturday night to partner Happily in the English 1,000 Guineas on Sunday. Stablemates I Can Fly (Seamie Heffernan), Sizzling (Donnacha O’Brien) and Sarrochi form a fearsome quartet.
Up against them are Godolphin’s Soliloquy, the supplemented mount of William Buick, and Wild Illusion, who will be ridden by James Doyle.
It is a stretch to suggest that Godolphin’s Kentucky Derby challenger Enticed is a major threat to Mendelssohn, especially with unbeaten American colts such as Bob Baffert’s Justify and Magnum Moon alongside the once-beaten but highly-rated Audible also in the starting gates.
But when Moore was riding in Kentucky all those years ago, Godolphin were in a slump. Charlie Appleby had just replaced disgraced trainer Mahmood Al-Zarooni and top-flight winners were scarce. Since then, things have changed. Enticed, Masar, Wild Illusion and Soliloquy were all bred by the Dubai-based organization’s Darley operation. Last season Coolmore trainer Aidan O’Brien famously broke Bobby Frankel’s record of 25 Group One wins in a season with 28, but Godolphin pursued the Irishman around the world and ended up with an impressive 18.
Their rivalry is a strand that will thread through the fabric of the international season in 2018, and if Godolphin have one chance of knocking off their Irish rivals over the next two days it surely rests with Masar at Churchill Downs.
“I have been pleased with his preparation and he’s come out of the Craven in good order. I can’t give you a negative,” Appleby said.
“Based on what we saw in the Craven, we must go into Saturday’s race hoping that he is a serious contender. It’s an exciting weekend for the team and we hope that Masar has a decent chance.”
Roll on the weekend.
Kentucky Derby to set the scene for summer rivalry between Coolmore and Godolphin
Kentucky Derby to set the scene for summer rivalry between Coolmore and Godolphin
- Kentucky Derby promises to be great battle at Churchill Downs with Ryan Moore looking to add to his impressive CV of race wins.
- Godolphin looking to upset Coolmore's dream with its impressive runner, Masar.
Sabalenka returns to Australian Open primed for another title tilt
- “Honestly, there’s no difference,” Sabalenka said of her mindset heading into Melbourne Park no longer in possession of the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup
BENGALURU: World number one Aryna Sabalenka enters the Australian Open in her familiar role as the hot favorite but unlike in the past two years the powerful Belarusian arrives without a title to defend or the momentum of a winning run in Melbourne.
The twice champion’s 20-match winning streak at the season’s opening major was snapped in the title clash 12 months ago when American outsider Madison Keys denied her a successful defense and a rare three-peat last achieved by Martina Hingis in 1999.
Sabalenka shrugged off that disappointment as well as losing in the French Open final and Wimbledon semifinals to secure her fourth Grand Slam crown at the US Open, leaving her primed for another title tilt on the blue hardcourts Down Under.
“Honestly, there’s no difference,” Sabalenka said of her mindset heading into Melbourne Park no longer in possession of the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup.
“Every time, it doesn’t matter what tournament it is ... if I’m the defending champion or if I lost in the first round last year, the goal is always the same — to bring my best tennis and improve my game.
“That’s how I take it. I’m always just focusing on myself, on developing my game, and making sure I’m 100 percent there. That’s my goal and focus every time.”
Sabalenka’s serve infamously hampered her in Australia four years ago but her refined delivery has become a crucial weapon, while her variations with drop shots and sharper tactical nous have turned her into a formidable force.
She won a tour-leading four trophies last season and made nine finals, underlining her consistency at the highest level, with a shock loss to Elena Rybakina in last year’s WTA Finals title clash bringing her campaign to an abrupt end.
That setback has only sharpened her resolve and she now returns to Melbourne looking to reach her fourth consecutive Australian Open final.
The 27-year-old will also bid to reach a seventh straight hardcourt Grand Slam final to match Hingis and Steffi Graf in the professional era that began in 1968.
“I’m always super motivated when I come to Australia,” said Sabalenka, who kicked off her season by retaining her title at the Brisbane International without giving up a set.
“I love playing here and I want to stay here as long as possible. Of course remembering last year’s (Australian Open) final, I want to do a little bit better than I did.”
