- Preakness winner Bernardini won't race in the Belmont Stakes, the final jewel of US flat racing's Triple Crown, Darley Stables confirmed.
The decision is another blow for the Belmont, the June 10 race which is already without Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, who suffered career-ending and life-threatening injuries in the Preakness Stakes on Saturday.
In just his fourth career start, Bernardini pulled away for a 5 1/4-length in the Preakness that was overshadowed by the serious injury to Barbaro, who broke three bones in his right rear leg and underwent surgery.
The decision to not run Bernardini in the Preakness was made by Dubai's Sheikh Mohammed, who wants the colt to rest.
Bernardini, who also skipped the Kentucky Derby, could run in the Jim Dandy, Haskell or Travers Stakes in August.
"Given the fact that Bernardini only broke his maiden in March and won a Grade 1 race in May, we feel that he climbed the ladder of competition quite quickly, said James Bell of Darley Stables. "Having said that, we believe he deserves a break."
No horse since Affirmed in 1978 has won the US Triple Crown of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont - the longest drought in Triple Crown history.
The decision is another blow for the Belmont, the June 10 race which is already without Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, who suffered career-ending and life-threatening injuries in the Preakness Stakes on Saturday.
In just his fourth career start, Bernardini pulled away for a 5 1/4-length in the Preakness that was overshadowed by the serious injury to Barbaro, who broke three bones in his right rear leg and underwent surgery.
The decision to not run Bernardini in the Preakness was made by Dubai's Sheikh Mohammed, who wants the colt to rest.
Bernardini, who also skipped the Kentucky Derby, could run in the Jim Dandy, Haskell or Travers Stakes in August.
"Given the fact that Bernardini only broke his maiden in March and won a Grade 1 race in May, we feel that he climbed the ladder of competition quite quickly, said James Bell of Darley Stables. "Having said that, we believe he deserves a break."
No horse since Affirmed in 1978 has won the US Triple Crown of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont - the longest drought in Triple Crown history.
