Quote:
Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind
This is not just wrong, it's ridiculous. He was an exceptional racehorse, and it is a shame he never really got to show that on the racetrack. In fact, had he not been such a fine horse, he wouldn't have had the mystique that led to the interesting stats Doug pointed out.
Can you direct me to your posts knocking Invasor when people claim he was a great runner....because if not, your post becomes even more foolish, as Bernardini and Invasor were, at the very least, of similar talents, and that was with Bernardini being younger and less experienced.
|
What is ridiculous is saying Bernardini would have beaten Barbaro in the Preakness, had things not gone the way they went for Barbaro.
I do agree Bernardini was an exceptional racehorse, but the amount of hype surrounding him was out of control. You knocking me for saying he was overrated is no different than someone knocking you for saying the exceptional Zenyatta was overrated (except for degree).
They were both great horses, but really, there was this over the top belief about Bernardini that was not warranted.
And are you kidding about Invasor? I have stated plenty of times that he wasn't that much as well. A fine and solid horse, definitely, but a top notch great horse? No way.
I think just about everyone knows Bernardini was the more gifted and capable runner. While his trip in the BCC was not optimal, it was far from the travesty that DrugS made it out to be, and you know that as well.
That he lost to a solid horse in Invasor while not getting the most perfect trip for the only time in his career (post debut) should tell you something.
I guess you think I am saying he sucked as a racehorse? While I didn't spell it out in the post above, my main things about him were:
1. He was not the most stout hearted racehorse (much like his progeny).
2. He was not even the best horse in his crop (Barbaro was). Of course, there's not a way in the world to prove either one was better, but just as you stated about Bernardini being a 3yo and not being given the chance to prove his stuff, the exact same thing can be said about Barbaro.
How many Dynaformers are better at two and three then at four? Not very many at all. I confidently believe that both these horses had quite a bit of upside left to them as they got older and matured, but up through each horses respective first five or so starts, Bernardini was much much much more professional a runner.
It is a great shame neither of them really got a chance to face one another.