Lewis Racing’s homegrown horse Wendelssohn competed against eight rivals in the 101st running of the $175,000 Thanksgiving Classic at the Fairgrounds on Thursday. The 4-year-old, trained by Chris Hartman, stayed close behind two horses in a line, locked eyes with the top favorite Komorebino Omoide—who held a 9-win, 5-loss record—at the 16th pole, and surged ahead to claim victory by one and a half lengths in the six-furlong race.
Guided by jockey Marcelino Pedrosa Jr., Wendelssohn finished with a time of 1 minute 09.66 seconds. Pedrosa shared, “The race went perfectly. I didn’t expect to pull away from Komorebino Omoide, but I held a good position, made my move, and had a strong finish. I’m thankful for the chance to ride him today.”
Komorebino Omoide secured second place, followed by Donegal Clan in third. Entering the race as a 5-1 contender, Wendelssohn paid out $12.20 for the win. Marking his second stakes triumph, Wendelssohn now boasts a record of 15 races with 5 wins, 2 places, and 2 shows, accumulating earnings of $469,451.
Bred in Kentucky, Wendelssohn is out of the Broken Vow mare Gangbusters and is a progeny of Mendelssohn.
Fan Take: Wendelssohn’s victory highlights the rising talent coming from homebred horses, showcasing the depth and excitement in horse racing. Wins like these not only build promising careers but also keep fans engaged and hopeful for thrilling future competitions in the sport.
