Gotta Match - By Lenny Shulman

re: Gotta Match - By Lenny Shulman

balletcat — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 03:56:14 GMT

I still think that Zenyatta should be paired with Midnight Lute one day .... both 17+ hands .....

re: Gotta Match - By Lenny Shulman

Gabriel Leme — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 01:07:56 GMT

As promising as Bernardini seems to be as a young sire and undoubtedly a tremendous match for Zenyatta, I would still love to see her embark on an overseas journey to meet up with European "super horse" GALILEO.

Regarding Seattle Slew, he owes his survival to this day solely through A.P. Indy and his sons. Although Seattle Slew was better in the racetrack, A.P. Indy proves year after year to be a monster in the breeding shed.

re: Gotta Match - By Lenny Shulman

slewforever — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 15:09:33 GMT

Lenny,

'THE ONE' for me was Seattle Slew, who I followed from the '76 Champagne and got to see in person in the '78 Woodward. I've followed his babies, grandbabies and great-grandbabies from day 1. He's truly the gift that keeps on giving.

As for Bernardini, he's done his granddaddy proud and hopefully will continue to do so for many years to come.

re: Gotta Match - By Lenny Shulman

LUCKY DEBONAIR — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 04:53:11 GMT

Mike Relva its the best match. although i would like to see the old man ap indy. the talented tiz now or sea the stars get a turn at big z. go go team z.

re: Gotta Match - By Lenny Shulman

Tracy Campion — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 16:17:24 GMT

A fun read - eagerly anticipating a baby Zendini or Bernyatta ; )

re: Gotta Match - By Lenny Shulman

NancyP — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 01:00:25 GMT

Hi Lenny,

Thank you for another great article! You and Steve are the best!

I'm high on Bernardini, have been even before the Preakness. I had a 'feeling' that day that he would be the winner despite the naysayers. Don't get me wrong, I loved Barbaro, but I felt in my bones it was going to be Bernardini anyway. I saw him at Saratoga and Belmont -he was just fabulous.

I'm so happy he was chosen for Zenyatta's first mating. While I had not seen A.P.Indy race, I have always liked him primarily, because he carries Secretariat' blood through his daughter Weekend Surprise. Always the credit for great foals go to Seattle Slew or Northern Dancer for exceptional foals, however, it is always overlooked that those horses were mated to Secretariat's daughters and in my book he blood is just as potent in those matings!

I watched the video clip of Bernardini and he seems to have a few dance steps himself. He is in a plain brown wrapper, as you said, but he is most beautiful and has his own charisma. I would suggest the name Baryshnikov if a colt is born - after all what would you name the son of two dancers? If a filly, Exquis - french for exquisite.

I hope the foal is healthy and a credit to its heritage with a very healthy successful life and career. It would be nice if they mated Zen with him more than once.

Thanks again for a wonderful article. I love the laughs and info of 'And Their Off'.

NancyP

re: Gotta Match - By Lenny Shulman

Jodie — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 05:30:33 GMT

Loved Bernadini the first time I saw him. Such a good looking horse as well as a great racer. Zenyatta and Berndini should produce some very good foals.

re: Gotta Match - By Lenny Shulman

Kristen Ohler — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 02:06:43 GMT

Bernardini stands 16.1 1/2 hands

re: Gotta Match - By Lenny Shulman

Alex'sBigFan — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 00:00:11 GMT

Ann,

According to Darley USA website, our pretty boy Bernardini is

16.1 1/2 hands.

re: Gotta Match - By Lenny Shulman

anniedixie65 — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 23:46:19 GMT

I personally think they are a fabulous match. Bernardini unfortunately didn't get to race past his 3yr old year, but I bet he could have been a major force. I think his conformation will compliment Zenyatta very well.

re: Gotta Match - By Lenny Shulman

DinkyDiva — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 21:12:00 GMT

Tammi... count me in on that prayer too. Ugghhh.... I don't like to wait but, patience!!! lol

Ann, Bernie is 16.2 hands.

re: Gotta Match - By Lenny Shulman

Ann — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 17:05:46 GMT

How many hands is Bernardini again? Sorry personal question.

re: Gotta Match - By Lenny Shulman

Tammi — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 15:11:12 GMT

Lord grant me patience...it's going to be a long, long year:) This is a match made in Heaven!

re: Gotta Match - By Lenny Shulman

Deacon — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 08:21:12 GMT

Very humorous blog Lennie, enjoyed it immensley. I would have preferred Big Z to go to Giant's Causeway, thought he was the best fit for her. Why go to the son (Bernardini) when you can get the dad (A.P. Indy). Breeding horses is a crap shoot at best and I suppose time will tell whether this was a good choice or not......

re: Gotta Match - By Lenny Shulman

Mike Relva — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 03:40:24 GMT

Mr. Shulman

Great work. I think it's a very good match.

re: Gotta Match - By Lenny Shulman

quarterhossgal — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 00:58:29 GMT

After seeing Bernardini at CD in the BCC, he is one of the best young studs around. He has the stance, strut and speed. He makes running look effortless. his conformation is exceptional and I understand has a good personality.

re: Gotta Match - By Lenny Shulman

Alex'sBigFan — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 00:55:19 GMT

Great article Lenny and insight into Bernardini's personality. Wow, you and Steve visiting him, it seems Bernardini really liked you guys too! I would rather they had picked Afleet Alex, but I am ok with Bernardini too. I think he and Alex are going to be two top sires in the near future, both surpassing their heritage lines or transcending them. I am glad to hear Bernardini has a similar personality to Zenyatta, great match. Poor Bernardini, his greatness wasn't fully realized I don't think and whatever we saw of it was overshadowed by Barbaro's breakdown and eventual death. I remember not paying all that much attention to Bernardini, although acknowledging him, and checking the New Bolton Center website daily for Barbaro updates faithfully until his death. I had a feeling the suitor would be one of "Darley's Darlings." That's ok by me, even Hard Spun is a good match to me, same personality and size is good. Alex is on the smaller side. Wow, Bernardini and Zenyatta, the foal? Zendini the Great!!!!!!!! I hope Zenyatta is happy with their choice as well.

re: Gotta Match - By Lenny Shulman

needler in Virginia — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 23:18:12 GMT

Blood-Horse Staff.....You're absolutely right, and thank you for waking me up! I think my brain has frozen this week. Based on that information, and because I've CLEARLY lost my mind, Zenyatta SHOULD be going to Tiznow.....Cee's Tizzy would have been better, but I guess we all can live with Bernardini. Like that's not a good idea.........

Cheers and safe trips to those who are more in touch than I!!!

re: Gotta Match - By Lenny Shulman

ceil — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 23:01:02 GMT

There's a good column on the DRF site today about Zenyatta's 2-yr-old half-sister by Bernardini. I think it pretty well explains why the Mosses chose him. I think it's a great choice myself.

re: Gotta Match - By Lenny Shulman

Blood-Horse Staff — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 22:27:49 GMT

needler in Virginia - Tiznow has not been pensioned. Perhaps you were thinking of his sire Cee's Tizzy, who was pensioned.

re: Gotta Match - By Lenny Shulman

mike rullo — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 22:17:46 GMT

a.p.indy is the greatest of all time.

my favorite horse.

re: Gotta Match - By Lenny Shulman

Abigail A — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 22:07:44 GMT

....and he dances too!!!!

re: Gotta Match - By Lenny Shulman

needler in Virginia — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 21:53:03 GMT

Tiz Very Tough........Tiznow has been pensioned, so there's probably NO chance Rachel will be visiting HIS breeding shed.....more's the pity. I could see Zenyatta with Tiznow quite easily, but then I was hoping she could have stayed closer to home, anyway.

All that said, Bernardini certainly seems to complement Zenyatta, and that's about all anyone can expect when it comes to breeding! It's easier to handicap the Kentucky Derby two years in advance than it is to figure out what you're gonna get in just eleven months!

Cheers and safe trips to everyone.

re: Gotta Match - By Lenny Shulman

WinnahPickah — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 20:04:35 GMT

I was hoping they wouldn't even send Zenyatta to Kentucky.

I'm hopeful she will be sent to a Euro Stallion ideally, Sea the Stars.

While we were 'ooing and ahhing' Rachel and Zenyatta. STS put together the best season in European Racing History. He one at a mile and 1 1/2. He will produce and I think they should go to him for the best stamina and durability available in a stallion. He also wasn't a 17+ size horse. I think his size will couple well with Zenyatta.

re: Gotta Match - By Lenny Shulman

MCSLEW — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 16:44:12 GMT

He looks like his grandpa, Seattle Slew. Can't get much better than that.