RacingPost reports 'Dini done after BC...

[Dunbar]

Originally Posted by Cajungator26

I'm not surprised in the slightest bit...

I hope for their sake that he wins the BCC. I won't be holding my breath on that one, though...

I hope he loses, just as I'd hope any 3-yr-old who is scheduled to be retired loses. I don't share blacktw's reaction though. If they ran Bernardini at 4, it would be the exception in this day and age. The sheik's don't have a monopoly on rushing the stars to the breeding shed.

The only way to reverse this would be to impose a strict you-can't-breed-'em-until-they're-five rule. No exceptions. Yeah, I know it isn't going to happen, but if enough people keep bringing it up, and if attendance, betting, and TV-interest keep dwindling, who knows.

--Dunbar

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by Dunbar

I hope he loses, just as I'd hope any 3-yr-old who is scheduled to be retired loses. I don't share blacktw's reaction though. If they ran Bernardini at 4, it would be the exception in this day and age. The sheik's don't have a monopoly on rushing the stars to the breeding shed.

The only way to reverse this would be to impose a strict you-can't-breed-'em-until-they're-five rule. No exceptions. Yeah, I know it isn't going to happen, but if enough people keep bringing it up, and if attendance, betting, and TV-interest keep dwindling, who knows.

--Dunbar

I only hope he wins because that's the only way I'm going to think highly of the colt. LOL I've been the minority in that I'm just not overly impressed with him... seeing him challenged in the BCC for the win would make me more inclined to believe all of the praise about him.

[Gander]

He probably would have only run 4 times anyways, big deal. I'm with Oracle, this race is 4 weeks away and theres plenty of action on tap today.
4th is off the turf as is all turf races at Belmont.

[SniperSB23]

It sure wouldn't be very sporting if they deprived us of Bernardini vs Discreet Cat in the BC and weren't even planning on having that matchup at the Dubai World Cup.

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

It sure wouldn't be very sporting if they deprived us of Bernardini vs Discreet Cat in the BC and weren't even planning on having that matchup at the Dubai World Cup.

No, it wouldn't... but it makes me think that perhaps they consider Discreet Cat the better of the two if they're going to run him at the Dubai World Cup. You'd think they'd want their absolute best to run there...

[somerfrost]

Another day, another kick in the teeth for fans of this sport! I'll withhold further comment until it is official that they are retiring him, afterall...my feelings about that crowd is well documented.

[Slewbopper]

Perhaps our "friends" in the desert are thinking they would like two horses of the year and won't let Bernie get in DC's path next year.

My guess is, given his record of only 5 races so far and obvious health problems, that DC will be all through before the real racing in 2007 begins.

Bastards

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Dunbar

I hope he loses, just as I'd hope any 3-yr-old who is scheduled to be retired loses. I don't share blacktw's reaction though. If they ran Bernardini at 4, it would be the exception in this day and age. The sheik's don't have a monopoly on rushing the stars to the breeding shed.



--Dunbar

IMO there is a big difference between the Sheik and most owners. There is absolutely no financial factor in his decisions. If there was he wouldn't have spent $56 Million in a few days last month. I can understand why most people economically take the money and run, so to speak, but for the Sheik the dollars are absolutely meaningless. He is perhaps the only person in the game who can unquestionably afford to be sporting and he is absolutely not.

The real question is where he derives pleasure in this game if as soon as he gets a good horse he rushes it the the breeding shed. If you ask me he is the ultimate coward. If he really believed Bernardini could handle all comers he would be eager to race him next year.

Originally Posted by Dunbar

The sheik's don't have a monopoly on rushing the stars to the breeding shed.

Taking the money and running ... is perfectly underestandable when the horse is owned by an Average Joe who wants to ensure his family's future financial needs.

I didn't mind "Chappy" retiring Smarty Jones ... I just resented his lying to us about it with that phony "what's best for the horse" PR spin.

The Maktoums aren't your Average Mohammeds ... they've got billions and billions of stolen dollars ... and the syndication of Bernardini won't even amount to a decimal point on their balance sheets.

This just shows a complete lack of class ... and total contempt for the racing public.

[Thunder Gulch]

Originally Posted by Bold Brooklynite

Taking the money and running ... is perfectly underestandable when the horse is owned by an Average Joe who wants to ensure his family's future financial needs.

I didn't mind "Chappy" retiring Smarty Jones ... I just resented his lying to us about it with that phony "what's best for the horse" PR spin.

The Maktoums aren't your Average Mohammeds ... they've got billions and billions of stolen dollars ... and the syndication of Bernardini won't even amount to a decimal point on their balance sheets.

This just shows a complete lack of class ... and total contempt for the racing public.

I do agree that it's hard to justify taking this horse away for breeding purposes. These guys make more money before lunch everyday than a standing Bernardini for a year would produce. It's impossible to justify it by saying he will produce other Bernardini's because it's such an unknown once you transfer them to the shed. Besides, look at Saint Liam and others who met their demise off the track.
While the retirement of Smarty, A. Alex, and others was disappointing, I can't say I wouldn't act the same way if the financial opportunity presented itself.

Originally Posted by Bold Brooklynite

Taking the money and running ... is perfectly underestandable when the horse is owned by an Average Joe who wants to ensure his family's future financial needs.

I didn't mind "Chappy" retiring Smarty Jones ... I just resented his lying to us about it with that phony "what's best for the horse" PR spin.

The Maktoums aren't your Average Mohammeds ... they've got billions and billions of stolen dollars ... and the syndication of Bernardini won't even amount to a decimal point on their balance sheets.

This just shows a complete lack of class ... and total contempt for the racing public.

BB you are being too hard on the Chapmans. He definitely had major issues after the Belmont. Definitely.
Chapman turned down a blank check for him before the Derby, and when agents called on the horse after his debut, at least one agent anyway, they were told nicely by his trainer that he wasn't for sale, and never would be at any price.
Noone was lying, he had issues that made it impossible for him to race again at that level.

[GenuineRisk]

is it mean for me to hope Bernardini turns out to be sterile? It'd serve 'em right.

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

is it mean for me to hope Bernardini turns out to be sterile? It'd serve 'em right.

Or War Emblem who would be watching queer eye if he could instead of handling his business.

Originally Posted by oracle80

BB you are being too hard on the Chapmans. He definitely had major issues after the Belmont. Definitely.
Chapman turned down a blank check for him before the Derby, and when agents called on the horse after his debut, at least one agent anyway, they were told nicely by his trainer that he wasn't for sale, and never would be at any price.
Noone was lying, he had issues that made it impossible for him to race again at that level.

Is this first-hand knowledge on your part ... or are you accepting someone's word for it?

I find it hard to believe that Smarty Jones could not have returned sound as a 4YO.

If I were Chappy ... I definitely would have grabbed the dough ... but I don't think I would have tried to spin the racing public about it. Nothing wrong with saying, "We need the money ... so we're retiring and syndicating our horse."