Mendelssohn Filly Wins Susie O’Cain

Stonewall Farm homebred Awesome Czech (3f Mendelssohn x Marvelous Martina, by Awesome Again) became the newest stakes winner for her sire on Wednesday with a victory in the Susie O’Cain Stakes.

Quickly moving to a ground-saving spot in the 1 1/16 mile turf race, she sat well off a trio of horses that opened a few lengths on the rest of the field. It wasn’t until the far turn that Manny Franco started encouraging her to get more into the race and Awesome Czech did just that.

She started a serious rally in the stretch and took command inside the final furlong. In the final sixteenth, she pulled away to win by 2 ¾ lengths for her third career victory and second straight win.

“As soon as I asked her to go, she was there so it was just a matter of time. She has a great turn of foot turning for home. She always tries for me. I have won three times on her now. I love her," Franco said.

Trained by Horacio De Paz, Awesome Czech was also second in the Tepin Stakes late last year and has finished first or second in five of her eight starts.

Awesome Czech is the first foal out of the two-time winning Marvelous Martina. Marvelous Martina is one of three winners for her own dam, including eight-time winner One Stop Shop. Those under Awesome Czech’s third dam also includes stakes winner Portside and Grade I-placed Pretty Boy Flash while champion Bernardini and dual Grade I winner Love And Pride are under her fourth.

Mendelssohn’s 110 winners is the most of any third crop sire this year while his seven stakes winners puts him second only to Justify in the crop.