Bernardini dominates the Jim Dandy Stakes

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Saratoga Springs, NY (Sports Network) - Preakness Stakes winner Bernardini took the lead shortly after the start and went on to an easy win in Saturday's $500,000 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. The victory will make Bernardini the heavy favorite for the $1 million Travers Stakes at Saratoga on August 26.

Making just his fifth career start Bernardini, ridden by Javier Castellano, covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.50 on a sloppy track. The colt adds $300,000 to his bankroll which now totals $1,010,480. This was Bernardini's third straight stakes win and his fourth in a row overall.

Bred and owned by Darley Stable, Bernardini crushed his five rivals by nine lengths. Minister's Bid was second followed by Hemingway's Key, Dr. Pleasure, Oh So Awesome and the second choice Sunriver. Dr. Pleasure and Minister's Bid were coupled as an entry.

Bernardini is trained by Tom Albertrani who used to train in Saudi Arabia.

The Preakness win by Bernardini has been tainted due to the career-ending injury Barbaro suffered early in the race. Saturday's domination will go along way to convince people that Bernardini is a potential Eclipse Award winner. Barbaro continues to recover from surgery and other ailments at the New Bolton Center in Pennsylvania.

Bernardini returned $3.10, $2.40 and $2.10. Minister's Bid paid $3.10 and $2.60, and Hemingway's Key paid $3.50 for show.

Next Saturday, more of the leading three-year-olds in training will go in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park. Bluegrass Cat, second in both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, is the expected favorite.