Bulls eye on Bernardini
 

For sure, his "nonchalant" brilliance will be put test in many ways. Can he handle staying off lead, can he handle a serious challenger(s), can he handle the traffic or the track, can he handle charging late runner(s), or can he handle the pace(though its not going to be brutal).
I know he runs the table, but imo a horse who run his race and not Bernardini's has a serious shot at winning. I can assure you, several connections are working on beating Bernardini and not on wining BCC. In conclusion, this is a very difficult race for anyone to win or to handicap.

Why would there even be an issue about whether Bernardini can stay off the lead? That's his best running style......and for those who are just trying to take shots at him and compromising their horses, I wish them the very worst of luck. They shouldn't be in the race. It won't make a difference anyway...

Why does everyone ask if this horse can run off teh lead? Given that your monniker is 'Bernardini' I think you may have noticed his Preakness when he came from midpack or his Jockey Club Gold Cup when he rated very comfortably behind Wanderin Boy until Javy said 'go'....

I agree with both the posts, but pace scenario is just one issue here..do you think that Bernardini is the focal point of this race. I mean if you owned Lava Man, Invasor, David Junior, George Washington.. how does Bernardini effects your game plan ?? Or how much does he effect, if any?

true he has a bulls eye on him but the only way he gets beat is if someone in the crowd aims a 30 ot 6 at that bulls eye and connects. He'll come from off and go wide on the last turn to stay out of traffic and that's all she wrote. IMO. Heck he eared a 3neg sheet number in the JGC and jogged. I hope he does get pushed and we get to see his best in his last race.

Aside from a betting aspect, if I am a Bernardini fan, I worry about the jockey who rides to make Bernardini lose. I reference the Bailey ride on Eddington (Or Rock Hard Ten? I cant remember) in the 2004 Belmont where Smarty Jones was going for the Triple Crown.

After the fact, Bailey has made it known he ran a race to keep Smarty from winning. I believe he said it on a ESPN telecast as well. Will someone do this to Bernardini? Make an early run at him to push him to the lead and burn out?

Never know. Hope it doesnt, but you never know.

Though I’m not an SJ fan, I remember RHT and Eddington pushing him, thanks to the respective jocks. I have yet to see Bernardini in that position, this horse seems very cool, not very engaging till it matters. In Travers, for a split second, I thought that he was going to be pushed around, but that never materialized. Preakness, JCGC and Jim Dandy seemed like a stroll. So I’m not very sure how to gage his reaction if he were to face intense pressure.

Where did he say THAT? Do you have a link?

This horse has so many ways to beat you that all he will have to do is use Number Four if the first three are not working. He will wear a bullseye as he pulls away from the field and they are looking at his rear. BERNARDINI, why don't you change your name to George Washington? You question yourself too much. Have faith.:)

I think Lava Man will give him hell, not to say LM wins in doing this, but this is one game horse, he ran so hard in the Pacific Classic last year that they had to van him off, he ran himself into the ground and wasn't much after that race, based on his recent figs, he looks to be rounding into form. I don't think Bernardini needs the lead, but when he goes for it, LM will make him earn it and could take them both out...I still think Bernardini wins, but the problem is going to be where to make your run? If you do it on the backstretch before the turn, you run the risk of LM and Bernardini running themselves into the ground...If you do it on the turn for home, LM can navigate turns so quickly, it might put him too far ahead...

I think it's a huge mistake to assume, because Bernardini hasn't been asked that he can automatically go alot faster, that just doesn't happen. In fact Oracle mentioned this that studies have shown horses run their best #'s in easy romps. I still think Bernardini wins and he will be the single on about 80% of my tickets, but I will use Invasior and Lava Man just in case a speed duel sets up or LM runs off of the turn...

I agree that Lava Mans sxcelance at running the turns could cause Bermie to make a premature move for fear of hin stealing the race and thus setting it up for a deep closer[Invasor]. All that said early position going into and comming out of the first turn could a;ter the pace and the race could turn into a circle jerk. Lotta quality here and a stubbed toe and a little luck can alter the outcome.

absolutely correct. people who assume that bernardini will be able to run even faster if he is hooked in the stretch and the jock goes to the stick are....in a all probablility....just flat wrong.
that is one of the reasons i prefer invasor.

Let me see, if you owned Invasor, what would you tell your jock ?? Dont worry about Bernardini ?? or tail him till he makes a move ??

Certainly, those wouldnt be your ONLY two choices. In a 14 horse field, the name of the game isnt simply "beat bernardini". Who is to say that Bernardini is even the best horse in the race?

ill say it..show me another horse that has 4 112 plus beyers in a row..

Okay, what are his timeform ratings?

you should know that...whatever..you will see on bc day he was and is the best in the game right now....of course you try and beat him as a player ..but dont go too crazy cuz in the end he will win,,

Anybody who's seen the horse run this year and isn't blinded by their Barbaro shrines..

I'm not a fan of Barbaro in the least but don't buy that Bernardini has done anything to prove he is better than Invasor yet. Perhaps he will in the BC but I think people are seriously overrating him and underrating Invasor.

Invasior and Bernardini have the same best Sheet #, I think it's safe to say that they both could go forward. Bernardini has earned his in romps, while Invasior has had to work to get his, I think it's a better sign that Invasior worked to get his, because horses run their best in easy romps like Bernardini has had...Like I said I think Bernardini is the best horse, but Invasior and LM will make him work and if he can't handle the heat...Either way we find out on Saturday...