Darley Stable's Bernardini, winner of the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) and Jim Dandy (gr. II), was installed as the even-money favorite when seven 3-year-olds were entered Wednesday for Saturday's $1-million Travers Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006Tom Albertrani is entering the fourth weekend of August with a huge bull's-eye on his back. The trainer will send out Balletto in the Personal Ensign (gr. I) Friday and the following afternoon will saddle Songster and Bernardini in the King's Bishop (gr. I) and Travers Stakes (gr. I), respectively.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006Owner John Oxley and trainer John Ward confirmed Monday morning they plan to run both Minister's Bid and Dr. Pleasure in Saturday's $1 million Travers Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga.
Monday, August 21, 2006Despite putting in a strong five-furlong workout over the Belmont Park training track Saturday, John Oxley's Strong Contender is still questionable for the upcoming Travers, according to Donna Ward, the wife and assistant trainer for John Ward.
Sunday, August 20, 2006Trainer Todd Pletcher gave his Travers (gr. I) contenders Bluegrass Cat and High Cotton workouts at Saratoga Saturday.
Saturday, August 19, 2006Darley Stable's Bernardini, the expected favorite for the $1-million Travers Stakes (gr. I) Aug. 26, turned in a strong five furlong breeze in 1:00 3/5 at Saratoga Thursday, the second fastest of 20 works at the distance.
Thursday, August 17, 2006Darley Stable's Bernardini, runaway winner of the Preakness (gr. I) and Jim Dandy (gr. II), breezed an easy five furlongs in 1:03 2/5 at Saratoga Friday in preparation for the $1-million Travers Stakes (gr. I) Aug. 26.
Friday, August 11, 2006Darley Stable's Classic winner Bernardini coasted to victory in nearly gate to wire fashion in the $500,000 Jim Dandy (gr. II) under sloppy conditions Saturday at Saratoga Race Course.
Saturday, July 29, 2006The wait is over. Darley Stable's Bernardini, who hasn't run since his brilliant victory in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I), finally gets back to the races in Saturday's Jim Dandy Stakes (gr. II), in which he will face five opponents.
Thursday, July 27, 2006Bernardini, Bluegrass Cat, and Strong Contender, three of the main headliners for the July 29 Jim Dandy (gr. II) and Aug. 6 Haskell Invitational (gr. I), turned in sharp breezes at Belmont Park Monday.
Monday, July 24, 2006Just when you thought you had a pretty good line on the 3-year-old division, here comes a late tidal wave of talent ready to burst onto the scene.
Monday, June 26, 2006