Consortium lands on New York Watch list with impressive debut

On the heels of its Friday announcement that Bernardini's stud fee would

double to $150,000 in 2012, Darley Stable saw yet another extremely impressive

debut from the 2006 Eclipse champion as homebred

Consortium

scampered to a 4 3/4-length victory in an Aqueduct maiden special weight on

Saturday.

Sent off at odds of 13-1 in the

7TH race, a 6 1/2-furlong affair on the fast main dirt track, the

two-year-old bay colt broke alertly and settled comfortably in fifth down the

backstretch with Alan Garcia aboard. He made a strong three wide move on the

turn and was never challenged in the lane, completing the distance in 1:17.

"He's done everything right and we have always liked him," trainer Kiaran

McLaughlin said. "He's trained really well all along and has a great mind. Alan

(Garcia) rode him great. He broke sharply and was able to sit and wait. It's

another nice win for Bernardini, he is a great sire."

McLaughlin added that they have yet to determine whether the colt will run in

an allowance or stakes next, and whether he will stay at Aqueduct or ship to

Florida.