...in the context of history? Won a number of G1s in a row, looked impressive doing it, but in short fields and against competition of suspect quality. The one time he ran against "the iron" he ran well, but finished second. Now retired. So, how does he measure up?
As an old guy, I remember when the greats ran against each other with some frequency. Ergo, his year does not impress me that much. The Shiekh will laugh all the the way to the bank, anyway......
The one thing that bothers me is that Shiehk Mo has no need to laugh all the way to the bank. I think he nets something like $2 million per day in INTEREST ALONE off just his oil holdings. I don't like the decision because your question can really never be answered. It will never be known how good he really might be. He was stellar in the Preakness, a tremendous run overshadowed by the injury to Barbaro, awesome against small fields and apparently over matched competition in the Jim Dandy, Travers, and JCGC, and failed to get the job done in his biggest challenge in the Classic. Having raced a mere 8 times in a career lasting from January until November, being retired without injury, no way to rank him up there with any of the greats. Breathtaking, yes he could be and seemed to do things so effortlessly. Reminded me a good deal of Ghostzapper, but even Stronach, a COMMERCIAL breeder elected to attempt to keep that one in training after a dominating season to show the world just how good he really was. Now, I am speaking as a shelfish fan, one who knows how desperately this sport needs huge stars to keep the game in the public eye, but it's just a decision that doesn't make sense.
Wonder if any of the writers will show their displeasure with this decision when it comes time to cast an Eclipse ballot?
He should be remembered as a very good horse, but not in the "great" category reserved for the likes of Affirmed, Seattle Slew, Spectacular Bid, etc. I know it's not his fault, but the quality of the competetion he was beating up on, was suspect.
Steve
Much as I liked Bernardini, even if he won the Classic by open lengths (as my wallet would have liked) that would not qualify him as a great. Give me another year of racing maybe 8-10 more times with a similar record and you've got something.
I don't consider Ghostzapper great either, winning HOTY off a 4 race "campaign".
But given that this is the brave new world maybe we can say they were great*. Kind of like 61*. Only 61 didn't deserve the asterisk. Then again, maybe they retire them early so they don't put their ass to risk.
Bernardini was a good horse, far from great. He retires with a nice 8 race career, spanning almost 10 months. He was defeated soundly in the BC Classic, with little excuse, simply wasn't good enough (IMO). It's too bad we won't see him as a 4yo. His breeding says he should get even better with age. He was a fast horse who beat very little throughout his career. Another one that will be referenced in the category of "how good could he have been?"
Bernie is a very nice horse who might have proven to be a great one, but we will never know. There was no shame in his second place finish in the BCC. I think he is probably more talented than Alex and Smarty,our previous 3 yo champs. But because of the way things are regarding the breeding shed, we never got to find out about any of them.
I can't disagree with everyone - Bernardini didn't do enough to be put in the class of great horses. If a horse only races for one year in its lifetime, I think it has to be virtually flawless to even merit consideration. It's a shame that Bernardini will never get a chance to prove himself great, but it's the way things go nowadays. As much as I hate this new trend, I've become immune to the disappointment.
(ahem)... How good was Bernardini???
Did you happen to see how "Bernie" was flattered today,
when SahWEET-NORTHERNSAINT dominated the field @ Delaware, just now???
Huh... didya???
----------------------------------
Track Name: Delaware Park (DLD)
Race: 8
Pool: P3
Selections: 7(*SNS)/5, 6/3, 6, 9
Wager Amount: $1
Wager Total: $6
----------------------------------
SweetNorthernSaint beating up on 2 competitors in a minor 54k stake at Delaware[the scratch capital of the racing world] makes Bernadini's Jockey Club where he beat 4 horses for 750k look like a major accomplishment.
It doesn't take too much these days to be acclaimed a superstar in anything,once the hype machine gets going and builds mountains out of molehills.
As you so often graciously say to others "WTG" Dell/Badactor on your Pick 3 which paid a very generous $57.80 for 2,nice overlay payoff considering the 3 winners were:
#7-SweetNorthernSaint-$2.40
#5-Killing Frost-$6.00
#6-Truely a Dream-$7.00
It's been awhile since badactor has posted a winner!
Gosh, if only Bernie had won the race on Staurday, it'd been a whole-diff'ernt-story allllllltogether!
Thanks for the props on my pick 3 hit, Bob S.
I needed that winning post to maintain my UIC membership! ~Dell.
~Dell.