Bernardini headed for Classic off easy win

Multiple Grade 1 winner BERNARDINI (A.P. Indy) came out of his 6 3/4-length

romp in Saturday's Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) in good shape, trainer Tom

Albertrani said Sunday. The conditioner will now turn his attentions to getting

his charge ready for the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) on November 4 at Churchill

Downs.

"He was bouncing around here this morning and he came back like it was a

routine work," Albertrani explained. "He's been doing everything so easy. I

don't ever want to get too over confident and we'll be running against the two

best older horses in the country in the Breeders' Cup, but as long as he's doing

well and runs back to his races, I've got to think he's the horse to beat."

Bernardini's only loss from seven career starts came in his January 7 career

debut. Since then, the bay sophomore has posted victories in the Withers S. (G3), Preakness S. (G1), Jim Dandy S. (G2) and Travers S. (G1), as well as his easy

score in the Jockey Club Gold Cup.

"I think the toughest race on him was his first race," the trainer added. "It

just seems like he has so much left. He just wins by daylight every time. He's

so impressive. I think there's still more in the tank, more to come. He showed

that yesterday."

Albertrani said he'll keep Bernardini in New York until shipping into

Kentucky the week of the Breeders' Cup.

"I'm looking to work him the Tuesday before, as always, then ship him," he

said. "He'll probably have two works before the Classic."