Royal Albert Hall Wins Bernardini Stakes

Making his 41st start off only nine days rest, Drawing Away Stable's Royal Albert Hall earned his first stakes victory in the inaugural running of the $100,000 Bernardini Stakes March 2 Aqueduct Racetrack.

Breaking from post 6 with Junior Alvarado aboard, Royal Albert Hall tracked comfortably in sixth as 24-1 shot Hit It Once More led the field of seven through a half-mile in :49.49 and 1 3/8ths of a mile in 1:43.40 on a the fast main track.

Alvarado began his winning move at the three-eighths pole, guiding Royal Albert Hall in prime position at the top of the stretch. Full of run, the son of Royal Applause overtook a valiant Hit It Once More in the final furlong and extended away to win by 1 3/4 lengths.

The 7-year-old gelding completed 1 5/16 miles in a final time of 2:18.99.

"It's such a long race. I didn't want to go wide the whole way around," said Alvarado. "I wanted to give my horse a chance. By the three-eighths pole, I had to wade my way through it. He was there for me. I had to make him work for it, but he was there for me. After that, he carried me all the way to the wire."

Royal Albert Hall boosted his career earnings to $353,198 for owners Drawing Away Stable. He was bred by Old Mill Stud, S. Williams, and J. Parry out of the Marju mare Victoria Sponge. 

The victory provided trainer Rob Atras his first stakes win on the NYRA circuit.

"It's a great feeling," said Atras. I thought the horse could do it. I thought he could get the distance but coming back in nine days he overcame a lot. I left it up to Junior, but everything has been closing today. He left a little bit sharp, a little keen out the gate, but Junior put him on the rail and got him to relax. He sifted through horses and picked up the pieces late. It was just a perfect trip."