Bernardini Bypasses Belmont Preakness Stakes winner Bernardini is set to skip the final leg of the American Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes on June 10.The Tom Albertrani-trained colt gave owner Sheikh Mohammed his first American Classic success when running out a five-and-three-quarter-length winner at Pimlico last Saturday.However, connections have decided to bypass the final event at Belmont Park in favour of concentrating on targets in the second half of the season.'Bernardini has had three races in quick succession, and Sheikh Mohammed feels the colt deserves a break before his next target, which will be determined in due course,' Jimmy Bell, president of Darley's United States operations told www.thoroughbredtimes.com.'Given the fact that Bernardini only broke his maiden in March and won a Grade One race in May, we feel he climbed the ladder of competition quite quickly. Having said that, we believe he deserves a break.'Bernardini now has a range of possible targets including the Grade Two Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga on July 29, the Grade One Haskell Invitational on August 6 at Monmouth Park and the Travers Stakes on August 26 with the Breeders' Cup Classic the ultimate goal.(C) PA Sport
