Bernardini sweeps Gold Cup!

LaTroienne · Postby **LaTroienne** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 7:28 pm

He'll be a v. serious contender for champ now!!

wilf · Postby **wilf** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 7:34 pm

We have talked about this before but its clear that only the horror of Barbaro"s injury clouded the astonishing performance of Bernardini in the Preakness and his subsequent wins have only enlarged his reputation. His manner of victory yesterday has me convinced that no horse can live with his turn of foot in a race over the classic distance, surely only bad luck will rob those fortunate enough to be at the Breeders Cup from witnessing a horse of the ages.

FOS · Postby **FOS** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 8:50 am

hi wilf

wilf wrote:(Bernardini's) manner of victory yesterday has me convinced that no horse can live with his turn of foot in a race over the classic distance, surely only bad luck will rob those fortunate enough to be at the Breeders Cup from witnessing a horse of the ages.

I would submit that impressive might be an understatement to describe Bernardini's performance in the Jockey Club Gold Cup...but,

...I'd be remiss if I did not ask...was any of Bernardini's three opponents in the Gold Cup even a G1 winner on the DIRT?

You might agree that 2nd placer Wanderin Boy, and Andromeda's Hero in 3rd, are not exactly yardsticks of superstar merit...and that 4th (and last) place finisher Dylan Thomas (embarrassingly beaten by no less than 31+ lengths) is not to be considered a serious threat in anything run on the DIRT.

If Bernardini can defeat the likes of TOP older horses, including Invasor (at his best and others at their best) etc...and also handle (as an example) ever-improving 3-year-old Strong Contender (not yet a G1 winner, but [in my opinion] a VERY serious racehorse who I believe is an outstanding talent, and a potential [if not probable] superstar)...Bernardini will have made a resounding statement (to my way of thinking).

If Bernardini continues to consistently expose his brilliance, and defeats (in a winning BC Classic effort) the kind that I would consider a legitimate measuring stick of rare excellence, I might then consider him as a racehorse possibly worthy of the description a two-turn horse for the ages.

Bernardini is arguably the best two-turn horse in training...and he is clearly VERY special. He must show me more though... not to convince me that he is a superstar (clearly he is)...but that he is a horse for the ages.

Best to you.

Respectfully

wilf · Postby **wilf** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 8:59 am

I love this!!!!......... Long ago a scribe noted that horseracing is merely a difference of opinion and I could not agree more. In those days it was the local gentry arguing the merits of their respective animals and now it is fan-based rivalry that is about to come to fruition. Let the games begin!

pistol · Postby **pistol** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 9:47 am

FOS wrote:

If Bernardini continues to consistently expose his brilliance, and defeats (in a winning BC Classic effort) the kind that I would consider a legitimate measuring stick of rare excellence, I might then consider him as a racehorse possibly worthy of the description a two-turn horse for the ages.

Agreed. None of his races to date has shown me anything that warrants a horse for the ages. Winning two three year old classics probably gives him Top Three Year Old award. The last two were not great races, one can view him winning them with ease as he is a superior horse, or one can view it he had no quality competition. I am in the latter camp right now. At least this sets him up to come to the Classic, probably, as a huge favortie. Regardless of his odss, I'll let him beat me there. Of course a lot of it depends on who else show up what the pace setup looks like. I think he'll need an easy pace (like the previous two) to win the Classic.

Sam · Postby **Sam** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 10:01 am

pistol wrote:one can view it he had no quality competition.

Bare in mind this is NOT a comparision of horses, just the level of competition they faced... Seattle Slew saw no real challengers until he was a 4yo.

Nerd · Postby **Nerd** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 1:01 pm

I think if we just think of the JCGC as a workout and not as a race, it simplifies our analysis--Bernardini covered 1 1/4 in 2:01.02 under 122lbs, very easily. Now whether or not you think he is the horse to beat only depends on how impressive you think that time is, considering the effort.

Barbaro06 · Postby **Barbaro06** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 1:24 pm

I read at the Bloodhorse site that O' Brien might consider George Washington for the Classic. Personally I would like to see him on the turf after what I saw happen to Dylan Thomas (big mistake there) in the JCGC.

Yes, Bernardini is an awesome horse, but he needs to have someone come up to his throat latch and look him dead in the eye, not giving the him any quarter. He needs to be challenged to run a mile and a quarter in 2:01 and change.

Just my humble opinion.

:shock:

Dave C · Postby **Dave C** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 2:59 pm

I bet on Bernardini to beat Barbaro in the Preakness, so don't think I'm a Bernardini basher, I really like the horse. I'm also a realist, and until he beats G1 calibre older horses he's just a good 3yo. The JCGC will not help him (or hurt him) for champion voting because he didn't beat any very good horses (not that I would refuse to take any of the also rans into my barn). He probably has 3yo honors locked up, but he has to win the BC Classic to win HOY. JMHO

zinn21 · Postby **zinn21** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 8:41 am

I can't wait for B/C (Bernardini vs Lava Man) Classic. It already feels like Seabiscuit vs War Admiral.

Lava Man with as good a handicap campaign as any horse in the last thirty years. Bernardini, untested and so very impressive.

It's a match race unless a rabbit spoils the fun...

Ill-bred · Postby **Ill-bred** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 12:19 pm

Post position could change my opinion, but I do think Lava Man will be in front of Bernardini turning for home at Churchill and we will see Bernardini tested. Plus, Invasor and perhaps my longshot pick David Junior will be close behind.

It should be a great race.

Barbaro06 · Postby **Barbaro06** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 1:30 pm

Read at the Bloodhorse that Bernardini might be heading for the shed as early as 2007. That remains to be seen of course, but even if he biffs the Classic, he's won the Preakness, the Travers, and the JCGC...quite a nice set up in order to court the girls next spring.

If he wins the Classic and is named HOY and 3 year old colt champ, wooo doggie, he would command a serious fee.

Any thoughts?

Ill-bred · Postby **Ill-bred** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 2:51 pm

I'll guess $150,000 in '07

Sam · Postby **Sam** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 2:56 pm

Ill-bred wrote:I'll guess $150,000 in '07

Conceivable and I wouldn't be surprised, but that's a bit high. This is Darley, not Ashford. $100k, maybe $125k. He's still an A.P. Indy. At that level, his only competition is the old man himself and Mineshaft. Question is, where does he go? Do we think he'll go to Darley at Jonabell or do they try to find a "Name" farm like Three Chimneys or Lanes' End?

Heidilady · Postby **Heidilady** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 3:15 pm

Barbaro06 wrote:Read at the Bloodhorse that Bernardini might be heading for the shed as early as 2007. That remains to be seen of course, but even if he biffs the Classic, he's won the Preakness, the Travers, and the JCGC...quite a nice set up in order to court the girls next spring.

If he wins the Classic and is named HOY and 3 year old colt champ, wooo doggie, he would command a serious fee.

Any thoughts?

This is, in my opinion, the biggest reason Darley would have to bypass the Classic with Discreet Cat. Bernardini being shedbound (if that's true which I always suspected anyway). They wanna get their crown jewel (pun intended) route dirt horse a Classic win and off to make babies. Puts a dent in his resume if he ends up tangling with Discreet Cat and the Cat comes out ahead. I know some doubt that (and doubt he should even be entered in the race but lesser horses have run and have won) but it's a fear I'm sure they have on some level. Of course they'll gush about how particularly spectacular Bernardini is...if the two horses never meet they don't tarnish Bernardini's image and they aren't made to look stupid and/or like liars...they talk about how great he is with no "buts" mentioned. I mean kinda lame from a sporting standpoint although not financial I guess. They can't go 'well he's really only 2nd best...and oh yeah we're holding the other horse out so we could try for 2 Classics when one of them might not get one at all if they had to go through the other one to get it.' Of course he could legitimately pull it out over DC but chance that? I bet they don't esp b/c doing so would make DC look worse. I'd like them to so we could see some serious running from a horse with more talent than a few others that are wannabes but running anyway. I have some sentimental faves but I know when I'm going to be really happy about it versus delusional that their shot is bigger than it really is.

I think it's a hoot that George Washington, bred by Lael Stables, could actually end up on the BCC when Barbaro obviously couldn't make it and Showing Up might not..er...show up..for the turf (sorry, had to do it).

PS what the heck are we abbreviating Bernardini to because that's a long name to type a bagillion times. Bernie?