Bernardini will not run in Belmont

Bernardini will skip the third jewel of the Triple Crown (Jim Tyrrell/Horsephotos.com)

Darley Stable announced Wednesday that Preakness S. (G1) winner BERNARDINI (A.P.

Indy) will not run in the Belmont S. (G1) on June 10.

"Bernardini has had three races in quick succession, and Sheikh Mohammed

feels that the colt deserves a break before his next target, which will be

determined in due course," said Jimmy Bell, president of Darley's United States

operations.

Bernardini broke his maiden in his second career start by 7 3/4 lengths at

Gulfstream Park on March 4, then captured the Withers S. (G3) by 3 3/4 lengths at

Aqueduct on April 29. The Darley homebred won last Saturday's Preakness by 5 1/4

lengths, awarding Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum with his first classic

win in the United States.

"Given the fact that Bernardini only broke his maiden in March and won a

Grade 1 race in May, we fell that he climbed the ladder of competition quite

quickly," Bell said. "Having said that, we believe he deserves a break."