Most people will probably disagree with me but I honestly think it's a close call. If Bernardini would have won yesterday, then he would have been a slam-dunk to win top 3 year old, and rightfully so. But with his loss yesterday, I think people will start to think that his last few wins were not quite as good as they appeared to be. The fractions were really slow in those races and he got dream trips. The fields were small and not particularly strong. Don't get me wrong, I still think Bernardini is a terrific horse, but he may not be quite the freak that some of us thought he was.

Anyway, I think it's a close call between Bernie and Barbaro for top 3 year old. I think that Bernie will probably win it but I don't think it's a slam dunk.

just left t'bred times...checking on the latest news. they had a poll, their latest, asking who for top 3 yo..bernardini or barbaro.
i voted for bern.

can't believe the numbers after i voted, obviously not scientific, and has no meaning towards year end voting...but still...

barbaro got roughly 48%
bernardini 52%

didn't think it would be that close.

HOY: Invasor
3yo champion: Barbaro
(Horse who needed to face more quality competition over the 3rd quarter of the year plus a week: Bernardini)

simply put, no where !!!

yeah, saw your post after mine just below yours....had he won, easily top 3 yo. but i don't think he lost much in defeat, other than the race. a lot of the hype will stop, or should, as to him being a freak. freaks win races like yesterdays. showed he was a mere mortal and probably put some of his other races in perspective for some.
i still think bernardini ends up with the vote. wonder if wanting the eclipse will influence their actions regarding bernardini and running next year. could face a backlash if he decides to retire bernardini, since he only ran one season, and eight starts. he's sound, he's healthy.....

hope for his full recovery, and hope to see little Barbaros one day. who, down the road might take on little Bernardinis.

altho i agree bernardinis comp thru much of the fall was weak, he faced a top field yesterday, beating all but invasor. one length is the difference between top three yo and not??

lol
the irony of me being in this situation....