Mendelssohn only fourth as Patternrecognition picks up Cigar Mile

Mendelssohn failed to fire in the Grade 1 Cigar Mile Handicap at Aqueduct on Saturday, finishing fourth as the 17-10 favourite to Patternrecognition.

The Cigar Mile was a sixth trip to the US for the Aidan O'Brien-trained Mendelssohn this year and he was strongly fancied on the back of a creditable fifth in the Breeders' Cup Classic last month.

However, he was unable to lay down a serious challenge to Patternrecognition, who made all under Jose Ortiz to win the dirt contest by three-quarters of a length for trainer Chad Brown.

True Timber finished well and was closing at the line but never looked like overhauling the winner, whose victory in the $750,000 Grade 1 was a first at the highest level for the lightly-raced five-year-old.

Brown said: Ultimately, he showed the talent that we thought he had when they bought him – what seems like forever ago as a two-year-old – and this is really a great moment for this horse. He deserves it.

"This horse is a rare beast. He's got that speed and he can carry it. I'm very proud of the judgement Jose Ortiz used. I left it up to him, and the fractions concerned me a touch, but this horse showed his heart."

Mendelssohn, who was dropping back to a mile from 1m2f, raced prominently on the heels of the winner but came under pressure before turning in and was only able to plug on at the one pace.

Rider Ryan Moore, quoted in the Bloodhorse, said: "I'm disappointed, but he ran well. He hasn't run a bad race. He's had a tough year with a lot of racing and a lot of flying back and forth.

"Unfortunately he hasn't been able to get it done. We'll see what the plan is, but I think there's more in there."

Also on Saturday

Raging Bull produced a stunning late burst to win the Hollywood Derby on the turf at Del Mar, providing trainer Chad Brown with a Grade 1 double on the east and west coast.

Sent off as the 19-10 favourite, Raging Bull was held up in the early stages but made a sweeping move on the turn for home under Joel Rosario and got on top close home, overhauling River Boyne to win by half a length.

Rosario said: "I thought I was on the best horse, so I rode him that way. He has a powerful quarter-mile kick at the end – terrific acceleration.

"I just needed to keep him outside; keep him in the clear where I could ride him at the finish. It worked out just the way I’d hoped."

The three-year-old was bred in France and sold at the Goffs Orby Sale as a yearling in 2016.

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