Kentucky Derby Contenders Pedigree Analysis: Mandaloun

With the Kentucky Derby (G1) less than 11 weeks away, I’m back for my second year of analyzing some of the top contenders’ pedigrees.

This week’s subject: Mandaloun.

This Juddmonte Farms homebred has a career record of 4-3-0-1 and performed well in both two-turn starts thus far in his career. Trained by the 2020 Eclipse Award winner Brad Cox, he’s been impressive since his debut. 

Kentucky Derby Ranking

Mandaloun is currently on top of the Kentucky Derby point standings with 52 points earned for finishing a close third in the Lecomte (G3) and winning the Risen Star (G2), both at Fair Grounds. Most experts have Mandaloun in their Kentucky Derby top 10 rankings.

The Risen Star has produced noteworthy Kentucky Derby performances recently, including the 2016 winner Gun Runner (third in the Derby) and the 2019 runner-up Country House, who was famously placed first in the Derby after original winner Maximum Security was disqualified.

For the first time in 2021, let’s see if Mandaloun’s pedigree has what it takes come the first Saturday in May.

Sire Profile

Into Mischief

Major career wins: 2007 CashCall Futurity Stakes (G1)

Going into 2020, the question was, “Can Into Mischief’s offspring win going 1 1/4 miles on dirt?” After 2020 Horse of the Year Authentic won both the Kentucky Derby (G1) and the Breeders Cup Classic (G1) at that distance, the question now is, “Can he do it again?” The sky seems to be the limit for what sons of Into Mischief can do.

Into Mischief has now sired a total of six Kentucky Derby starters; of those, two finished in the money. Along with Authentic, Audible ran third behind eventual Triple Crown winner Justify in 2018.

While Mandaloun has enough Kentucky Derby points to become his sire’s seventh Kentucky Derby starter, he may not be the only son who enters the 2021 starting gate. I’ll discuss another impressive Into Mischief colt (Life is Good) in an upcoming edition. 

Dam Profile

Brooch

Major career wins: 2014 Lavarack & Lanwades Stud Stakes (G3); 2015 Lanwades Stud Ridgewood Pearl Stakes (G2)

Finishing her career with a record of 8-4-1-1, Brooch did all of her racing across the pond in Ireland. Her wins came at 3 different distances, all of them at least 1 mile, and her 2 graded stakes victories came at 1 and 1 5/16 miles. Although Brooch raced on turf her entire career, her bloodlines suggest that dirt was not out of the question: she was sired by 2003’s Florida Derby (G1), Wood Memorial (G1), and Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Empire Maker.

As a broodmare, Brooch has a bright future. She has produced four foals so far, and both who are of racing age have found the winner’s circle. Of her younger two foals (both full brothers to Mandaloun), the older one died (according to Equineline) and the other is a yearling.

Brooch has produced winners on synthetic and dirt, impressive considering she has only had two foals race. She was bred to War Front in 2021, a positive sign going forward because he is one of the most desired stallions in North America, where his offspring win on every surface. 

Overall, I think Mandaloun is a serious contender for the 2021 Kentucky Derby. With his pedigree, the distance should be not be an issue, and he has shown visual improvement with every start. Though trainer Brad Cox seems to have a stacked barn for the 2021 Triple Crown trail (including 2020 Champion 2 Year Old Essential Quality), Mandaloun should not be overlooked as the road to the Derby continues.

Let me know what you think!

Vinny Blond is a New York-based handicapper who is one half of Real Dynasty Picks. Follow him on Twitter @PicksByDynasty.