[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by Betsy

Isn't it though? I post on another message board and I will not go into another Bernardini thread there. As I stated there many times, I am not comparing him to the greats yet, I'm not giving him the Eclipse, I'm not doing anything but enjoying how GOOD this horse is. Over there, it's like pulling teeth to get people to admit that this is more than just a nice horse. Oh, who did he beat (and Barbaro beat a bunch of Man o'Wars in his Derby?)? Just wait until they get a fast track, Sunriver never had a chance (like he would have had a chance anyway)! He hasn't set any track records (like Barbaro has?), etc...................

Frankly, if I want objective analysis, I'm going to check out the racing experts at DRF and the like. Poor Bernardini can not do anything right in the eyes of racing fans. Ok, even if you think Bold Ruler is wrong by thinking he's the "greatest since.........".......what's the big deal? I'm tired of the qualifiers on this horse. I love him, I was stunned by the race yesterday and I'm going to enjoy watching him. He's a gorgeous horse who floats over the track.......he's versatile, which he's not getting the credit for (he won on the lead yesterday!), etc.......Right now, I don't care about HOY or the 3 year old Eclipse or comparisons to all-time greats (which I think is obviously premature at this point). Bernardini MAY become great - he's got the talent, for sure - can't we just enjoy it? I thought that this is why racing fans like racing?

No arguments on that, I'm enjoying it. I was actually expecting him to walkover that field yesterday, just the way he did. It was comical to watch how he was galloping effortlessly then to look back 6-8 lengths to see the rest of the field in full drives, jockeys all over their mounts with the stick, and abolutely no gain on the leader. I also don't understand the immediate need to try to figure out where he ranks in terms of all time greats. I'm perfectly happy to wait until his career is over for that discussion.