UAE Derby winner Mendelssohn is expected to feature among the entries for two big races at Belmont Park on July 7th when they close today [Saturday].

Never a factor in the Kentucky Derby, the Aidan O’Brien-trained colt is reportedly being aimed at the $300,000 Grade 3 Dwyer Stakes on dirt in a fortnight’s time but it was reported this week that the son of Scat Daddy is also being considered for the $1.2 million Belmont Derby on turf on the same card.

According to US website Horse Racing Nation, Andrew Byrnes of the New York Racing Association said the trainer “hasn’t made his decision yet. I think he’s going to be here for one of the two races, yes.”

Mendelssohn has already won a Grade 1 race on turf in America, having taken the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf last year. However, connections have expressed a plan to aim the $3 million yearling at the Breeders’ Cup Classic, where he would likely face US Triple Crown winner Justify.

Local hopes for the Belmont Derby include Catholic Boy and Analyze It, first and second in a recent Grade 3 race. Grade 2 winner Hawkish and Kentucky Derby fifth My Boy Jack are also reportedly on course for the 10-furlong event.

The Dwyer is expected to attract Godolphin’s Enticed (14th in the Kentucky Derby), Firenze Fire (11th) and Magnum Moon (19th), the horse who bumped into Mendelssohn in the early stages at Churchill Downs in May.