Time Is Now For Darley's Dominance In States - by Joel Cunningham

[Betsy]

Originally Posted by Cunningham Racing

Are there still any non-believers out there?

Bernardini is a beast.....might prove to be one of the best horses since Spectacular Bid...he certainly has the ability

Joel, didn't you get chills yesterday? I honestly was very nervous before the race due to the condition of the track ; many good horses have failed to lift a hoof in the slop. I couldn't believe how easily he was winning - he was in a common gallop as soon as they turned for home. I guess his Beyer and speed fig # won't be good, but I'm sure even those guys that make the figs will understand that this is one time the #s don't tell the full story.

I have no desire to make predictions for his future because I just want to enjoy Bernardini now. I don't claim he's going to win the remainder of his races this year, or that he's going to be HOY or anything like that - that's a lot of "what ifs". Right now, I'm just thrilled.

I do believe that the Sheikhs will run him next year....there's some speculation that he would run under the Godolphin colors and possibly race in Europe. Boy, I hope not; it won't happen, but I'd prefer that he stay with Tom.