BackTrack: Bernardini Puts it Together in 2006 Withers

Quality overshadowed quantity as only four promising 3-year-olds stepped onto Aqueduct's main oval for the $142,500 Withers (G3) at a mile April 29. And, for the ultra-impressive winner, Darley Stable's homebred Bernardini , the anticipated baby steps of his third career start quickly flourished into the purposeful strides of a runner who may have an impact on the final two legs of the Triple Crown.

"As they say, 'He's bred in the purple (by A.P. Indy—Cara Rafaela, by Quiet American),'" said Jimmy Bell, president of Darley Stable's U.S. operations. "When you put this (mating) on paper, this is what you hope for every time. He's a grand physical individual with the right mom and dad and the rest of it takes care of itself."

Javier Castellano broke from the starting gate with a tight rein on Bernardini, who was eager for the lead. But the jockey asked the Tom Albertrani-trained colt to rate in second position behind Buckram Oak Farm's Luxembourg.

The compromise between horse and rider appeared more than congenial as the pair tracked the front-runner through an opening quarter-mile in a swift :23.13.

"He (Bernardini) was into the bridle right away and showed a lot of speed but I wanted to rate him," Castellano said. "He settled down nice and easy and gave me so much confidence. Then I pushed the button at the quarter pole."

At his rider's request, Bernardini unleashed a serious turn of foot, drawing away from his competition with complete authority. The colt was then ridden out to the wire, with Castellano losing the whip before having to debate its usefulness as a learning tool.

Bernardini stopped the timer in 1:35.07, 3 1/4 lengths clear at the finish. The Kentucky-bred runner recorded his second victory and first graded stakes win, while increasing his earnings to $110,480.

"He's (Bernardini) a very talented 3-year-old that's just started to come around," Albertrani said. "It was a beautiful race and hopefully he'll go on from here and have a great second half of the season. He's got everything about him—his looks, his breeding. I think he's got it all together."

Sheikh Mohammed, who races approximately 600 horses worldwide, owns Darley Stable and has campaigned numerous champions, including Pebbles and Singspiel.

"It's a good team at Darley. John Ferguson (Darley Stable's bloodstock manager) discusses all the (breeding) possibilities with Sheikh Mohammed, who's quite involved with the matings," noted Bell. 

My Meadowview Farm's Doc Cheney, from the barn of trainer Nick Zito, rallied through the stretch to secure the runner-up spot.

Favored Luxembourg faded to third position and Team Stallion Stable's Rob'em Blind was fourth. Each runner toted 116 pounds.