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Classical Cat Another Good Omen for Mendelssohn

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 budget; one of the most potent qualities a sire could have, especially early in their career.

Classical Cat (Mendelssohn–Conquest Strate Up, by Not Bourbon) streaked home on debut a gutsy 2 1/2-length winner for Michael House and conditioner Philip D'Amato, in a race under keen observation admittedly more for who finished behind him–this year's $3.55 million Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-year-olds in Training topper, Hejazi (Bernardini).

Himself a modest $65,000 purchase at Keeneland September last year by a friend of House, the Mendelssohn colt needed some early correction after the break, but once he was given a target and his cue to strike the lead, Classical Cat would not be stopped. For House, it was quite the thrill to see his horse put his best foot forward right at first asking.

“It sure was fun…we were telling [Classical Cat] all week that he cost $5 million so he wouldn't feel bad,” House joked, on his way to the barn when the call went through Monday. “[Philip D'Amato] was very positive and confident in him. He'd been doing everything right. He wasn't too worried about the other competition, probably not as much as we were.”

Classical Cat wasn't the only runner House had that day, either. Across the country at Saratoga, his co-owned filly Nest (Curlin) put on a masterclass in the GI Alabama S. and all but began the process of etching her name onto the plaque for the divisional title. House admitted that, while they'd wanted to go, the lure of seeing their horses at Del Mar–where they were conveniently close for himself and his wife–proved too strong, and they'd stayed home to see their local runners on the card.

“We'd flown out before to see her run, but we had so many entries that day. So, we saw her on tv before our horses ran here.”

On the end of the call, and clearly ready to head out with his bag of carrots, House quickly included that, while his colt wasn't displaying his sire's liking of loudly announcing his presence at every opportunity, there was a strong trait he liked.

“He's the sweetest guy in the barn. He's got the sweetest disposition. We've been babying him,” House said. “[Classical Cat] is a big, good looking colt…Mendelssohn was a great racehorse himself and now he's starting to show it as a sire.”

Said sire (by Scat Daddy) bucked the trend of multi-million dollar auction horses never quite reaching their full potential. The $3 million KEESEP topper in 2016–the same sale which yielded Triple Crown hero Justify (Scat Daddy) and MGISW Good Magic (Curlin), to name a couple–earned over $2.5 million in his career, crowned by victories in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf and G2 U. A. E. Derby. The latter was an 18 1/2-length romp as his final prep for the GI Kentucky Derby, where he was eased to last after being banged around. He went on to hit the board in the GII Dwyer, GI Runhappy Travers, and GI Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes before calling it a career after placing fifth in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic and fourth in the GI Cigar Mile.

Retired to stud for 2019, Mendelssohn came armed with one of the best female families in the Stud Book as a son of the venerable Leslie's Lady (Tricky Creek), making him a half-sibling to Hall of Famer Beholder (Henny Hughes) and now three-time reigning champion general sire, Into Mischief (Harlan's Holiday).

Well-received in the ring, his offspring got off to a quiet initial start with several hitting the board over every surface–from the all-weather at Woodbine to French turf courses and the Saratoga main track–but none were getting their picture taken. Then, once the parade of debut winners began, the performances got better and flashier with a 'TDN Rising Star' among them.

Pink Hue | Sarah Andrew

Pink Hue showed grit and heart in her unveiling over a route of ground on the grass, becoming Mendelssohn's seventh individual winner at that point, but his first and for now only, to receive the nod from the TDN. A $310,000 KEESEP grad, purchased by Mike Ryan as agent for e Five Racing, the filly has an Into Mischief-sired, winning older sibling named Man of Promise, who annexed the G3 Emirates Skycargo Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint as well as placing third in the G1 Azizi Developments Al Quoz Sprint. Her dam, a Speightstown mare named Involved, is a half-sister to GIII Bay Shore victor Skip to the Stone (Skip Trial) and the stakes-placed stakes producer My Heavenly Sign (Forest Camp).

As of this running, Mendelssohn tallies nine individual winners and will have two chances Aug. 26 at Saratoga to become the sire of black-type horses. The powerful partnership of WinStar and Siena Farm will send New York-bred Miracle to post in the state-restricted Seeking the Ante S. from the barn of Rudolphe Brisset. The $360,000 OBSMAR speedster was a six-length debut winner July 27 at the venue. Prior to the training sale, she'd passed through the ring as a yearling at SARAUG 2021 for $250,000 to Bay Hill Stables, and as a weanling at FTKNOV 2020 for $110,000 to American Equistock.

The second opportunity will come later in the card when owner/trainer Uriah St. Lewis sends out his New York-bred Belt Parkway in the Funny Cide S. A $160,000 SARAUG purchase by Christophe Clement, acting as agent, the colt resurfaced in the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 'Timonium' sale in May and went to Trin Brook Stables for only $30,000. Belt Parkway comes in off a nose unveiling victory in a dirt dash at Parx.

With many juveniles filling maiden special entries in the coming days in addition to the stakes action, the slow start looks to be in Mendelssohn's rear view mirror. If his siblings are used as an auspicious indicator of things to come, further successes will arrive in due time and on their own time.

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Tony Martinez Named Horseshoe Indianapolis Track Superintendent

Tony Martinez has been named the new track superintendent at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Martinez is set to replace current track superintendent Roy Smith, who announced his retirement at the end of the Indiana track's 2022 season.

Martinez has been involved in track maintenance for more than 30 years and brings more than 15 years of experience as a track superintendent. The third generation track man has expertise in all surfaces and is especially know for his work in fine grading, track moisture evaluations, extensive harrowing, and soil composition. He has been involved with the construction of more than 25 training and arena facilities. Martinez has served as superintendent at seven racetracks over his career with his most recent post at Gulfstream Park.

“We are extremely pleased to bring in Tony as our next track superintendent,” said Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Racing. “Roy has developed a great track maintenance program at our facility. We look forward to welcoming Tony in to continue the hard work already implemented. We have a great foundation for both our dirt and turf courses and are confident in Tony's skills to take the lead in this department.”

Horseshoe Indianapolis underwent a total track renovation during the 2018 racing season with an investment that topped $800,000. Prior to that, a new $3.3-million track maintenance building was constructed with upgrades in equipment added for both surfaces.

“I'm very excited to join the team at Horseshoe Indianapolis,” said Martinez. “Their facility is state of the art and being able to walk into a program like this is a great opportunity for me. I look forward to working with both the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse programs in Indiana.”

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West Point Thoroughbreds Celebrates Milestone Achievement

West Point Thoroughbreds partner Lisa Bell has been nervous for plenty of horse races, having owned dozens of horse through the syndicate over the years including 2017 GI Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming (Bodemeister), but the butterflies in her stomach were at an all-time high on Sunday at Saratoga as Phantom Smoke (Ghostzapper) looked to give West Point its 1,000th win.

“We were all on pins and needles and when Phantom Smoke broke out of the gate before the race, it was obviously not the start that we wanted,” Bell said.

Despite the nerve-wracking beginning, the 4-year-old Christophe Clement trainee pulled through to get his third career win and give Bell her first trip to the winner's circle at Saratoga.

“It took me a while to shop shaking even as we were in the winner's circle,” Bell said with a laugh. “I've had horses win when I wasn't here and I've been to the winner's circle at other tracks, but this was my first time winning at Saratoga with my own horse.”

Phantom Smoke's victory also gave West Point Thoroughbreds its 1,000 win in 5,687 starts. Founded by Terry and Debbie Finley, the company is in its 32^nd racing season.

“To have it happen in Saratoga is the most special thing,” said Bell, who noted that she first got involved with the accomplished partnership group only a few years after its inception in 1991. “Of course now West Point is all over the country, but way back in the early days, this is where Terry and Debbie started the operation. The success they have had with the organization is just amazing and I'm so happy for them.”

West Point's Founder, President and CEO Terry Finley was anxiously awaiting this milestone victory for weeks as the win count grew steadily throughout the summer. The organization achieved its 999^th win with Kodama (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) at Delaware Park on Aug. 13, but they just missed with half-a-dozen starters afterwards until the stars aligned for Phantom Smoke in Saratoga.

“I think that just drives home the fact that you can't be in a rush in this game no matter what,” Finley said. “[The 1000th win] exceeded my expectations. I think the best thing was just seeing the pride and gratitude of our team. Sure it's about the horses, but it's also about people. When you surround yourself with great people, win, lose or draw, they're the ones that help you make the memories that we all try to acquire in this business.”

The West Point Thoroughbreds team celebrates 1,000 wins | Sarah Andrew

Phantom Smoke's winner's circle photo included a host of West Point Thoroughbreds team members, many of whom have been associated with the company for over a decade including CFO Lindsey Heumann, Executive Vice Presidents Tom Bellhouse and Jeff Lifson, and Chief Marketing Officer Dawn Lenert.

Finley said his only regret on Sunday was that his daughter, Erin Birkenhauer, was not able to attend. The company's Chief Operating Officer lives in Bowling Green, Kentucky with her husband and two children, but was celebrating the achievement from afar.

“It's just amazing how it worked out that it was all at Saratoga,” Birkenhauer said before reflecting on the evolution of the business her parents founded. “I really think that Mom and Dad are the definition of the American dream. They started this from the very, very beginning. They've shown up every day and worked hard, treated people the right way and done things honestly. I think if you're going to play the long game in this business, you have to stand by those pillars. It's easy to forget back in 1991 when they had one $5,000 claimer. They were trying to make a go at this and everybody thought they were crazy. I'm really proud of them.”

Some of Birkenhauer's favorite memories involve West Point's top earners like GISWs Macho Again (Macho Uno) and Twilight Eclipse (Purim), who she picked out as a 3-year-old before he went on to win over $2 million. Birkenhauer said her respect for what her parents have accomplished together has grown since she joined the family business in 2010.

“I think one thing about my dad is that he's nice to everyone,” she shared. “Whether it's someone working on the backstretch or a billionaire, he takes the time to say hello. I give my mom credit too because for them to be able to build this business, Dad was on the road a lot growing up. I know now from having two kids, that is not easy. They really stuck together to make this work. It's really like building a house. Little by little they just kept building it up.”

Birkenhauer said that one of her favorite aspects of West Point–and one that she believes sets their partnership apart– is their focus on relationships with their partners.

“People like Tom, Jeff and Jason [Blewitt, Partner Account Representative] are the cultivators that make this a lifestyle investment,” she explained. “It's not just about going to the races; it's about the comradery. We have partners who are literally best friends because they met through West Point. We call it the West Point family and we try to make everyone a part of it, whether you own one horse with us or 20.”

In the interviews following West Point's 1,000th win, Finley said that one of the most significant accompanying accomplishments is that they have never had a horse come up with a positive drug test.

“I'm very proud of that and I don't downplay it,” he explained. “That's really the first thing when we talk to trainers. I know mistakes happen, that's one thing, but you look at our roster and you'll see people who have a history of doing the right thing.”

On the sales side of the industry, West Point's footprint has exploded over the past five years as they have teamed up to form powerhouse partnerships with the likes of owners like Woodford Racing, Hronis Racing, Siena Farm, Bobby Flay and Summer Wind Equine. Their purchases include, among others, MGSW First Captain (Curlin), a $1.5 million yearling, and talented GISW Flightline (Tapit), a $1 million yearling. At this year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale, they formed similar partnerships to purchase the full-sister to First Captain for $2 million and an Uncle Mo colt for $1.5 million.

A busy winner's circle for Flightline's GI Metropolitan H. victory | Coglianese

Finley credits West Point's bloodstock agent David Ingordo for their success with these high-profile purchases.

“[David] has opened up relationships and alliances that frankly I never would have been availed to,” Finley said. “It has been really impactful. In 2018 we bought our first couple of big horses and everything just fell into place. A lot of money gets thrown around, but not everyone comes up with a Flightline. We definitely realize how fortunate we are to be in his midst.”

The success of these ultra-talented horses has placed partners like Lisa Bell in a dilemma. Bell has an ownership share in Flightline, who is preparing for the GI Pacific Classic S. on Sept 3. at Del Mar, and in First Captain, who is slated to make his next start in the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup S. at Saratoga on the same day.

“I had to decide where I'm going Labor Day weekend,” Bell said with a laugh. “It's a testament to Terry and his vision. He's made it grow as an avenue of business to include people like me, who don't have an exorbitant amount of money and can't just plop down a million dollars on a horse. It does a lot for the sport because it draws in regular folks.”

Getting to know partners, like Bell, who join the syndicate from all walks of life is one of the highlights of the vocation for Finley.

“One of the coolest parts of my job is the kaleidoscope of partners that I get to interact with and learn from,” he said. “To top it all off, I get to work with my family. I'm really lucky.”

Now with 138 stakes wins, 60 graded stakes wins, 15 Grade I wins and over $63 million in purse earnings, West Point Thoroughbreds—and Terry Finley–show no signs of slowing down any time soon.

“This game could never get ride of me,” Finley said. “This is all I've ever wanted to do is be in the horse business. When you're fortunate enough to work with very passionate people who are consistently looking to do the right thing and make good decisions, that helps when you go through the tough times that we all experience. I'm proud of the horses we've had and the memories we've made for people. I'm proud of our team. I'm proud that I truly believe we've done it the right way and have tried our best to set a good example.”

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Artorius Has Arrogate-Sized Shadow to Outrun in Travers

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY–During a pre-season interview in early July, trainer Chad Brown offered another colt–at that point, with a low profile–to a discussion of his deep bench of GI Travers prospects: Zandon (Upstart), Early Voting (Gun Runner) and Jack Christopher (Munnings).

“I have a late -bloomer, a horse named Artorius (Arrogate), that I really like,” Brown said. “He's going to run in the Curlin Stakes. Much like the dad, he's late bloomer. I'm not saying he's a threat to win the Travers, but I'm going to tell you: he's lightly raced and he's very good. And his mother was very good, Paulassilverlining (Ghostzapper), who won two Grade Is for us. Obviously, Arrogate was a great race horse, that I didn't train. He's very well bred. He's a horse we've always liked all winter. He just got started a little late.”

Seven weeks to the day later, Artorius, will be entered Tuesday with Zandon and Early Voting in the Travers, which will be run for the 153rd time on Saturday. Following a third as the favorite in the GI Haskell S. July 23, Jack Christopher returns to sprint distances in the seven-furlong GI H. Allen Jerkens on the Travers program.

Artorius thoroughly confirmed Brown's assessment that he was of Travers quality with a 4 3/4-lengths score in the 1 1/8 miles ungraded Curlin July 29. He has continued to train well, most recently a :47.00 half-mile on Saturday, and just like his famous father did in 2016, will make his graded stakes debut in the Travers.

In what was his fifth career start, Arrogate (Unbridled's Song) cruised into Saratoga history for trainer Bob Baffert in 2016 with a stakes and course record of 1:59.36 for the 1 1/4-miles Travers. He broke the record of 2:00 set in 1979 by General Assembly over a very wet track. The Travers was the launching pad for Arrogate, who died in 2020 during his third season at stud. He followed that 13 1/2-length Travers score with wins in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic, the GI Pegasus World Cup and the GI Dubai World Cup. The week of his victory in the Pegasus in an anticipated showdown with California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) that never materialized, he won the Eclipse Award as 3-year-old male champion.

Brown said that Artorius had typical 2-year-old shin issues in 2021 and had another problem that delayed his arrival to the races. He broke slowly in his first start on Apr. 16 in a six-furlong race at Keeneland and finished second. The maiden-breaker came at a mile at Belmont Park June 10 and he followed that up with what turned out to be an easy victory at nine furlongs in the Curlin.

“He's doing great,” Brown said. “His last race was terrific, first race around two turns. I was very pleased with it. ”

Brown acknowledged that it is a big ask to send Artorius into the Travers against an accomplished field whose headliner is GI Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike. His stablemates Early Voting, victor of the GI Preakness S., Zandon, third in the Derby after a win in the GI Blue Grass S. will be in the gate, along with Epicenter (Not This Time), second in the Derby and Preakness and the winner of the GII Jim Dandy, and GI Arkansas Derby and GI Haskell winner Cyberknife (Gun Runner).

“I'm having to step him up. He seems like he's willing to do it,” Brown said. “I don't feel like I'm doing anything to compromise his development by doing it. Yes, it's a really tough race, but he's got a nice race over this track, albeit against lesser horses than he's going to meet in the Travers. He did it the right way and came out of it the right way. The Travers is a once-in-a-lifetime for a horse to try. You only get one shot to run in it when you're three. So, if they're sound and doing well, and their numbers look like they're heading the right way, have a race over the track, which is in this particular case is possibly beneficial, and a leading jockey riding the horse, you've got to take a shot.”

Juddmonte purchased Paulassilverling from breeder-owner Vincent Scuderi prior to her 5-year-old season in 2017 and turned her over to Brown. She promptly won the GI Madison and the GI Humana Distaff. Artorius is her first foal.

“He's not real big now,” Brown said. “He'd be more of his mom's size than his father's size, but he's good combination between the two. He's got the stamina and the movement of his father, who moved like a cat. His mother was a smaller filly, not the best mover, but had a lot of heart. When you're breeding the best of the best, you hope for the best. This horse got a good blend of both, which is what you really hope for in a lot of cases when you breed Grade I horses to Grade I horses.”

An hour or so after Artorius worked alongside multiple GI winner Search Results (Flatter) Saturday, Brown said he was certain that the colt had the physical tools for the Travers and it just was a matter of timing whether he would make it to Saratoga's signature race.

“It's not a surprise at all. We always thought that he's talented enough,” Brown said. “I'd use the word “relieved” that he was able to do it. There was a small percentage chance that he'd be able to advance this quick. We knew he had the ability, but things happen. Horses have setbacks, right? Horses don't always run the way you think they're going to run. For him to actually hit all the marks and really get there, the only way was if everything sort of went right. Everything went right along the way with his works and spacing and weather, health of the horse. Everything has for this horse. I've been relieved. We gave it a shot to put him on a path to get here and he hit it.”

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