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THOROUGHBRED BEAT AUGUST 31, 2006 by James Scully Travers runaway -- BERNARDINI (A.P. Indy) is delivering thrills every time he appears under silks, and we have two more starts to look forward to this year. There's no denying his brilliance in Saturday's Travers S. (G1) victory, but Bernardini will eventually have to face a much more legitimate pace than he did at Saratoga, where he led wire to wire at his own clip in both the Travers and Jim Dandy S. (G2). He briefly stalked the early leaders in the Preakness S. (G1), but how is he going to respond this fall if the pace is exceedingly hot with quality front runners? Will he rate patiently under Javier Castellano or prove difficult to restrain? He may not face that scenario in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) on October 7, but there will probably be plenty of speed in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) on November 4. It probably won't make any difference, but Bernardini must still answer the question. Incredible sophomores -- This is a special year for three-year-olds, and Bernardini will be a deserving champion. His smashing victories showcase the best that Thoroughbred racing has to offer, but it wasn't long ago that BARBARO (Dynaformer) was captivating audiences worldwide. The unbeaten Barbaro was just coming into his own when he dominated the Kentucky Derby (G1) in breathtaking fashion, and trainer Michael Matz appeared to have the dynamic colt perfectly situated for a Triple Crown assault. If he hadn't been hurt, Barbaro would've provided a stiff challenge on the far turn and through the stretch drive to the talented but vastly inexperienced Bernardini, who had everything his own way when Sweetnorthernsaint (Sweetsouthernsaint) spit the bit early. The Preakness could've gone either way. Holthus -- LAWYER RON (Langfuhr) is back. Unraced since ankle surgery in mid-May, the chestnut reeled off six straight wins, including authoritative victories in the Arkansas Derby (G2) and Rebel S. (G3), before suffering a rough trip and fading to 12th in the Kentucky Derby (G1). He had a chip removed afterward and showed no signs of rust when returning to the races in Saturday's St. Louis Derby, drawing clear in deep stretch to win the 1 1/16-mile test at Fairmount Park by three-quarters of a length. The Bob Holthus-trained Lawyer Ron equaled a career-best with a 105 BRIS Speed rating, and he figures to improve off the tightener. Smart move -- HENNY HUGHES (Hennessy) mastered the King's Bishop S. (G1), chasing fast early splits in :22 1/5 and :44 3/5 before effortlessly drawing off at the top of the stretch en route to a 5 1/4-length decision. With two superb performances under him this year (110 and 108 Speed ratings), Henny Hughes has plenty of steam building toward the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1). A meeting with Belmont specialist and defending Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) winner SILVER TRAIN (Old Trieste) is up next in the October 7 Vosburgh S. (G1), but Henny Hughes will be a big favorite for good reason. The three-year-old is a very imposing sprinter. Watch out -- DISCREET CAT (Forestry) is a three-year-old on the radar screen of every Thoroughbred racing fan. Making only the fourth career start in his brief but spectacular career, the unbeaten colt made short work of overmatched allowance/optional claiming rivals in a seven-furlong event at Saratoga on Friday, romping by 11 lengths and registering an outstanding 108 Speed figure. Expectations run wild for the Godolphin colorbearer, but his connections appear willing to bypass the temptations of this year's Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). Discretion is probably the best strategy for Discreet Cat, who hasn't been two turns outside the desert in Dubai. With his lack of seasoning, Discreet Cat would be up against it going 1 1/4 miles against Bernardini at Churchill Downs in nine weeks, and there's no rush. Bobby Frankel judiciously handled Ghostzapper during his late-blooming three-year-old season, and he reaped the benefits of a Horse of the Year and unbeaten campaign the following season. Discreet Cat will also be much tougher at four if he stays healthy. Bring on the Euros -- Unless I'm missing something, ARAGORN (Ire) (Giant's Causeway) is the best turf miler in the world. He made his U.S. debut 11 months ago for Neil Drysdale and captured the Oak Tree Derby (G2) in his second start stateside. Aragorn was a decent three-year-old, but he's improved by leaps and bounds in 2006. After finishing a good second in his first start this year, the Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (G1), the chestnut colt followed with another commendable second, a length back of Charmo (Fr) (Charnwood Forest [Ire]), in the San Francisco Breeders' Cup Mile S. (G2). Since then, Aragorn has proved vastly superior to his rivals in Southern California, winning the Shoemaker Breeders' Cup S. (G1), Eddie Read H. (G1) and Del Mar Breeders' Cup H. (G2) with amazing ease. Perhaps the final times are all false, but I'm giving him some credit for winning the Shoemaker Mile in 1:32 4/5, the 1 1/8-mile Eddie Read in 1:44 3/5, and the one-mile Del Mar Breeders' Cup in 1:32 3/5. Drysdale won't squeeze the lemon dry, and I can't wait to see Aragorn when he gets to Churchill in early November. Fast filly -- DUBAI ESCAPADE (Awesome Again) spanked her rivals in Sunday's Ballerina Breeders' Cup S. (G1), seizing control when the gates opened and leading comfortably the rest of the way for an 8 1/2-length triumph. The four-year-old lass earned a whopping 116 Speed rating, providing little doubt that her previous effort, a well-beaten sixth in the Princess Rooney H. (G1), was an aberration, and the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) should definitely be on her schedule. Fillies and mares have run well in the six-furlong event against males, winning thrice (Very Subtle, Safely Kept and Desert Stormer) and recording seven seconds, and Dubai Escapade is very talented.
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