Bernardini will not run in Belmont

Bernardini will skip the third jewel of the Triple Crown (Jim Tyrrell/Horsephotos.com)

Darley Stable announced Wednesday that Preakness S. (G1) winner BERNARDINI (A.P.
Indy) will not run in the Belmont S. (G1) on June 10.

“Bernardini has had three races in quick succession, and Sheikh Mohammed
feels that the colt deserves a break before his next target, which will be
determined in due course,” said Jimmy Bell, president of Darley’s United States
operations.

Bernardini broke his maiden in his second career start by 7 3/4 lengths at
Gulfstream Park on March 4, then captured the Withers S. (G3) by 3 3/4 lengths at
Aqueduct on April 29. The Darley homebred won last Saturday’s Preakness by 5 1/4
lengths, awarding Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum with his first classic
win in the United States.

“Given the fact that Bernardini only broke his maiden in March and won a
Grade 1 race in May, we fell that he climbed the ladder of competition quite
quickly,” Bell said. “Having said that, we believe he deserves a break.”