Bernardini IS

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

He broke his maiden the first week of March. Where do you suppose he would have got any graded stakes earnings between then and the derby?

Never EVER will you hear me bashing anyone for skipping the tri crown or a race within that series.
You can see what the tri crown has done to our best three year olds in the past decade. Its no coiincidence that the most accomplished three year olds who went on to do great things in the summer/fall or at age 4, all skipped part or all of the Tri Crown. Messrs Bell, Ferguson and Albertrani(as well as Sheikh Mo) deserve kudos for not rushing him to the Crown. They have been rewarded with a sound animal for that decision. I wish more would follow their lead in the future.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by oracle80

Never EVER will you hear me bashing anyone for skipping the tri crown or a race within that series.
You can see what the tri crown has done to our best three year olds in the past decade. Its no coiincidence that the most accomplished three year olds who went on to do great things in the summer/fall or at age 4, all skipped part or all of the Tri Crown. Messrs Bell, Ferguson and Albertrani(as well as Sheikh Mo) deserve kudos for not rushing him to the Crown. They have been rewarded with a sound animal for that decision. I wish more would follow their lead in the future.

Fact is that they were pretty aggresive going from maiden win to Withers to Preakness. That the horse won so easily distracts you from this.

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Fact is that they were pretty aggresive going from maiden win to Withers to Preakness. That the horse won so easily distracts you from this.

The Withers was specifically chosen due to the fact that it was an allowance race type field of 4 horses.
Luxembourg had only won a maiden and non winners one. Doc Cheney not even that. I don't recall the straggler but he was the same.

The Preakness contained a small field as well, and other then Sweet, Bro D, and Barb, there was noone of any real consequence.
Those moves were not as aggressive as you paint them. They then backed off the Belmont where he would have been 3-5, that was very conservative and the key to his development.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by oracle80

The Withers was specifically chosen due to the fact that it was an allowance race type field of 4 horses.
Luxembourg had only won a maiden and non winners one. Doc Cheney not even that. I don't recall the straggler but he was the same.

The Preakness contained a small field as well, and other then Sweet, Bro D, and Barb, there was noone of any real consequence.
Those moves were not as aggressive as you paint them. They then backed off the Belmont where he would have been 3-5, that was very conservative and the key to his development.

Preakness looks softer now then it did then. And I hate to say it but the Belmont is really only important if you win the other 2 races.

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Preakness looks softer now then it did then. And I hate to say it but the Belmont is really only important if you win the other 2 races.

but we know that NOW, no one knew before the race unfolded how things were going to go.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by oracle80

The Withers was specifically chosen due to the fact that it was an allowance race type field of 4 horses.

Actually I believe he was slated to go in a conditional allowance the Friday prior to the Withers and chose the Withers instead when told it was coming up so light.

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Actually I believe he was slated to go in a conditional allowance the Friday prior to the Withers and chose the Withers instead when told it was coming up so light.

Thats correct, he was actually "hustled" into the field when told only three others were running.
Who was the straggler who was 4th? I can't recall who it was.

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Actually I believe he was slated to go in a conditional allowance the Friday prior to the Withers and chose the Withers instead when told it was coming up so light.

Absolutely right in this contention. Read from Bloodhorse:
http://racing.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=33255

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Fact is that they were pretty aggresive going from maiden win to Withers to Preakness. That the horse won so easily distracts you from this.

It's not aggresive to go after horses coming off two weeks rest.

Originally Posted by Pillow Pants

It's not aggresive to go after horses coming off two weeks rest.

He never ran on two week rest, better check that out bro.

Originally Posted by oracle80

He never ran on two week rest, better check that out bro.

I'm talking about the horses that ran in the Derby.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Pillow Pants

It's not aggresive to go after horses coming off two weeks rest.

Dude it the freaking Preakness, open to all eligible 3 year olds, not the exhausted horse invitational. There have been a lot of horses that have gone Withers to Preakness and I may be wrong but I dont think any of them have ever won the Preakness.

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Dude it the freaking Preakness, open to all eligible 3 year olds, not the exhausted horse invitational. There have been a lot of horses that have gone Withers to Preakness and I may be wrong but I dont think any of them have ever won the Preakness.

Shell I think you have that one wrong. Although run the past few years three weeks before the Preakness, it used to be run only 13 days or 14 days prior to the Preakness. Thats why I don't recall many who tried that move.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by oracle80

Shell I think you have that one wrong. Although run the past few years three weeks before the Preakness, it used to be run only 13 days or 14 days prior to the Preakness. Thats why I don't recall many who tried that move.

Has been run many different dates in the Spring including at Aqueduct but has always been before the Preakness and has had many runners that opted out of the Derby and went on to try the Preakness.

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Has been run many different dates in the Spring including at Aqueduct but has always been before the Preakness and has had many runners that opted out of the Derby and went on to try the Preakness.

I'm sure it has, I just can't recall any who had a real shot. Can you recall any? I'm sure that there had to be one or two. I know that Scrappy T was 2nd to AA. thats about all I can recall.