Bold Zone Wins in Japan for Mendelssohn

It was another Japanese winner for Mendelssohn on Sunday when Bold Zone (3c Mendelssohn x Halo Dolly, by Popular) won a Newcomer race by 3 ½ lengths at Nakayama.

Breaking a step slow in the 1 1/8-mile dirt race, Bold Zone spent the first part of the race among the back markers but he quickly improved his position to move to a spot close behind the leaders.

Bold Zone spent the whole race working his way closer to the front and with a furlong left, had the lead in view. It was his with a sixteenth left to run and he gave another burst of energy to win by 3 ½ lengths in his debut.

A $280,000 juvenile purchase last year, Bold Zone was bred by Spendthrift Farm out of multiple graded stakes winner Halo Dolly.

He is one of two winners from two to race and is a three-quarter brother to Grade III winner Barraza. The family includes Canadian champions La Lorgnette and Thornfield and three-time Group I winner Hawk Wing.

One of 27 winners for his sire with that count including three stakes winners and eight stakes performers – including two winners on Saturday, Bold Zone is trained by Tetsuya Kimura for Silk Racing. His 27 winners is fourth best among all North American second crop sires.