[kentuckyrosesinmay]

IMO, Bernardini was as talented as the Slew, and I always compared the two because they reminded me of each other.

I mean, the horse runs second in the biggest race of his life on his B game. The horse totally got knocked out of his A game when he got sandwiched going into the first turn. Every time a horse gets hit like that, it takes them out of their game. Most don't even recover enough to get back into the race, but Bernardini did. In all of Bernardini's other races, he pulled Javier up to the lead. Well, I knew he was in trouble out of the first turn because he wasn't on the bridle and pulling at Javier. When Javier started asking him at the half mile, I said "Uh-oh". So, a three year old gets beat by a four year old. The distance...a length. Even Affirmed, Secretariat, and Spectacular Bid (three greats) lost to older.

The only horse that has come along in this millenium that had more talent than this horse was the great Ghostzapper (and Dubai Millenium...RIP) (I would put possibly put Point Given, Tiznow, and Barbaro near Bernardini) and even he didn't have Bernardini's conformation and movement which is going to play a major role in the quality of his offspring. I think that Bernardini goes on to be one of the greatest sires that ever lived. If you had a quality mare, his stud fee of a hundred thousand is a steal right now.

This horse was a monster. Even if you all don't think that he is, Bernardini knew that he was great. He carried himself so much higher and prouder than any other horse on the track. He knew that he was special, and he had that air about him that all the great racehorses do. He was spectacular to look at.

Also, if he would have remained on this track in his four year old year, there is no doubt in my mind he would have earned being called great.