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 devoured an Aqueduct Racetrack maiden special weight by 4 ¾
lengths.
Sent off at odds of 13-1 in race 7, a 6 ½-furlong affair on the main
dirt track, the 2-year-old bay colt broke alertly and settled comfortably in
fifth down the backstretch. He made a strong three wide move on the turn, and
was never challenged in the stretch, completing the distance in 1:17.10.
“He’s done everything right and we have always liked
him,” said trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. “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.
Bernardini, a son of A.P. Indy, was campaigned by Darley to three Grade
1 victories in 2006: the Preakness, Travers, and Jockey Club Gold Cup. He is
far and away the leading second-crop sire this year, with his offspring
boasting nearly $7 million in earnings, highlighted by Stay Thirsty, winner of
the Gotham, Jim Dandy and Travers, and To
Honor and Serve, winner of the Pennsylvania Derby.
Consortium also has strong dam side breeding. He is out of Marietta, a 7-year-old daughter of Machiavellian who
earned $297,082 on the track including victories in 2007’s Grade 3 Iowa Oaks and Arlington
Oaks. Consortium is her first foal to race. She has a yearling by A.P. Indy and
was bred back to Bernardini in 2012.
Photo: NYRA, Adam Coglianese