Mendelssohn’s Opus Forty Two Wins Gasparilla Stakes

Opus Forty Two (3f Mendelssohn x Laquesta, by Lemon Drop Kid) became the third stakes winner for Mendelssohn on Saturday with a victory in the Gasparilla Stakes.

Making her stakes debut a month after breaking her maiden, Opus Forty Two chased the leader in the seven furlong dirt race. She moved up to challenge around the far turn and took over the lead by the time they left that part of the track. She put the horses around her away in the stretch then dug in deep to hold off a late closer by a nose.

Opus Forty Two has won her last two races after finishing second in her first two starts for owner Mark Grier and trainer Arnaud Delacour.

A $185,000 yearling purchase, Opus Forty Two was bred by Rose Hill Farm and John Trumbulovic out of the two-time winner Laquesta.

That mare is a half-sister to Grade III-placed Glacial and out of a half-sister to Ashford’s Grade I winning stallion Cupid.

Cupid is a half-brother to Grade III winners Ashley’s Kitty and Heart Ashley. Heart Ashley is also the dam of Fastnet Rock’s multiple Group III winner Fiano Romano and the granddam of Grade II winner Ain’t Easy with the family also including multiple Grade II winner Kathleen O.

Opus Forty Two’s dam Laquesta also has a 2-year-old colt by Munnings to come.

Mendelssohn’s two runners on Saturday both won with Caribbean Breeze also breaking her maiden at Aqueduct.

Mendelssohn’s 27 winners include three stakes winners and eight stakes performers, led by Grade II winner Delight.