Jamal Saidi / Reuters file

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum

Lost in much of the pre-Classic storyline was a lack of respect for the accomplishments of Invasor. Only after the race did it finally resonate that the young Southern Hemisphere 4-year-old was undefeated in American Grade 1 company, twice overcoming trouble and once surviving the most strenuous stretch duel of the handicap season after first enduring multiple challengers. Which brings us to Bernardini.

Bernardini is a genuine star. His Preakness victory, largely under-appreciated in the wake of Barbaro’s tragic breakdown, hinted as much. What followed was a series of rocking chair victories as he won the Jim Dandy by 9 lengths “under wraps,” the Travers by 7-½ “in control,” and the Jockey Club Gold Cup by 6-3/4s, again “under wraps.” The nature of these triumphs combined with considerable charisma and classy carriage wowed even the most cynically astute horsemen and handicappers.

Unfortunately, these stylish victories left him ill-prepared for the challenge to come from a horse that has now won nine of 10 lifetime starts, seven in Grade or Group 1 company, and now a champion on two continents. In three victories since the Preakness, Bernardini’s youthful jockey Javier Castellano appeared more interested in styling and index-finger pointing than preparing his mount for the tougher challenges to come this fall. The colt was learning bad habits. No one can blame him for not being mentally prepared when Invasor surprised him in deep stretch, the first time Bernardini was challenged from behind after having made the lead.

Observers talked about the strong wide run Bernardini made from fifth to first on that famed final bend at Churchill Downs. But to sophisticated horsemen it wasn’t the same brilliance he showed in any of his earlier victories. He had to work to gain the lead, moving a tad prematurely in the bargain. Indeed he labored just to hold his position approaching the far turn when it appeared he was having some difficulty negotiating the cuppy ground breaking away with every stride.

If it weren’t Bernardini under the microscope, his would have been an effort worthy of accolades for the courage shown in the face of some adversity against the deepest field of handicap runners assembled all year. But this is Bernardini, a colt who will stand at stud for $100,000 next year instead of proving that he belongs in the same pantheon with Secretariat and Seattle Slew.

As the racetrackers say, “they all get beat,” just like Secretariat and Seattle Slew, and there’s no disgrace in that. But the pity is that Bernardini is still potentially a great champion, maybe one for the ages, which never will get an opportunity to show it as a mature 4-year-old.

Because the breeding industry is the tail that wags the dog, thoroughbred racing is more business than sport. If Bernardini were mine and is as sound as he appears to everyone to be, I would sell a big enough minority piece to a friend with bucks to cover the insurance premiums and secure my family’s future then demonstrate my faith in his greatness. But that’s just me. Of course, Sheikh Mohammed is unencumbered by such real world constraints. Sportsmen, even those in name only, usually don’t need to resort to such measures.

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Patrick Mcdermott / Getty Images

California board suspends O'Neill

Despite vigorously denying he gave one of his horses an illegal performance-enhancing mixture, trainer Doug O'Neill was suspended 45 days — a ban that won't take effect until after his superstar colt, I'll Have Another, tries to win the Triple Crown.

Mike Stewart / AP

Chasing the Crown

  Slideshow: I'll Have Another one win away from becoming the first Triple Crown winner since 1978.

Headlines

• Label

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