Mendelssohn fails to spark as Firenze Fire scorches home in Dwyer Stakes

Report: USA, Saturday
Belmont Park: Dwyer Stakes (Grade 3) | 1m, dirt | 3yo

It was back to the drawing board for connections of Mendelssohn after the Aidan O'Brien-trained colt was firmly put in his place by wide-margin winner Firenze Fire (Jason Servis/Irad Ortiz) in the Dwyer Stakes.

On a retrieval mission following his Kentucky Derby write-off, Mendelssohn had no answer to the free-wheeling Firenze Fire in the home straight and was edged out for second by Seven Trumpets.

Mendelssohn was taken to the lead early by Ryan Moore before settling in behind Noble Indy down the back straight.

On the turn for home, Moore had barely moved a muscle as other jockeys up with the pace became more animated.

However, Irad Ortiz brought Firenze Fire with a wide sweeping run and the pair blasted into the lead before pulling right away from their rivals in scintillating style.

Firenze Fire, winner of Grade 1 Champagne last year over the course and distance, struggled in the Kentucky Derby but proved a revelation back at the track.

Mendelssohn had excuses for trailing in last in the Kentucky Derby as he was twice hampered early in a race run on a very wet track.

This was meant to be the first of two US starts in the build up to a return to the Breeders' Cup for Mendelssohn but it remains to be seen what the future holds for last year's Juvenile Turf winner, who was so impressive when claiming the UAE Derby by 18 and a half lengths in March.

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