Trainer of Travers favorite Bernardini has come a long way

Friday, August 25th 2006, 8:54 am

By: News On 6

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) _ A quarter-century ago, Tom Albertrani had enough sense to look on either side of him at future Hall of Famers Angel Cordero Jr. and Jorge Velasquez and know he would never make it as a jockey.

He also had enough sense to move into training race horses instead of riding them.

On Saturday, he'll be saddling not only the favorite for the $1 million Travers in Bernardini, but the colt who could become the 3-year-old champion and stake a claim to Horse of the Year.

``I've come a long way from riding 50-1 shots at Saratoga or Aqueduct in the winter to running a favorite in the Travers,'' Albertrani said. ``I could see right away I wasn't riding good horses, but it was something I wanted to do. It couldn't have been any better for a kid who was 18 or 19.''

The 48-year-old trainer is having the time of his life these days with rising star Bernardini. The imposing bay colt is the even-money choice in a field of seven to win the 1 1/4-mile Travers at Saratoga Race Course.

Bernardini's toughest competition should come from 2-1 second choice Bluegrass Cat, winner of the Haskell Invitational after runner-up finishes in the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes.

However, Bernardini won the Preakness by 5 1/4 lengths in just the fourth start of his career _ a race better known for Derby winner Barbaro's horrifying breakdown _ and came back 10 weeks later with a nine-length romp in the Jim Dandy at Saratoga.

Albertrani, a former assistant trainer for Hall of Famer Bill Mott and for Godolphin's racing empire before going out on his own two years ago, believes he has something special in Bernardini.

``I think we're looking for a new champion, and I'm hoping he can deliver,'' Albertrani said.

There is absolutely nothing not to like about Bernardini. He's magnificently built, a son of Horse of the Year A.P. Indy, and has been training flawlessly.

The ease with which he's been winning has opposing trainers in awe of the colt's potential.

``Bernardini, by far, is one of the nicest animals we've seen in the past decade,'' John Ward gushed.

Ward again will send out Minister's Bid and Dr. Pleasure to take on Bernardini _ Minister's Bid was second and Dr. Pleasure fourth in the Jim Dandy.

Then there's Todd Pletcher, who'll send out Bluegrass Cat and High Cotton.

``I suppose all horses are beatable,'' Pletcher said of Bernardini. ``He's an exceptional, gifted horse. I have been impressed with his races as anyone's I have seen in a long time. Even though he is a very accomplished horse, he is relatively inexperienced.''

Bernardini not only wins with authority, he's versatile as well. Under jockey Javier Castellano, the colt won the Preakness over a fast track by running just off the lead before taking charge around the final turn. On a sloppy track in the Jim Dandy, Bernardini took the lead early and cruised home in the stretch in what turned into a public workout.

Barbaro may still be the most well-known horse on the planet as he recovers from his injuries and laminitis at the New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, Pa., but Bernardini is becoming a favorite, too.

Albertrani has noticed his colt's popularity at Saratoga, not to mention the reaction from Bernardini while being walked along the horse path recently.

``He went through the crowd the other day and never got bothered, never got excited,'' Albertrani said. ``Actually, he enjoyed it. People clapped a little bit, and he'd show his little strut.''

When the cameras started clicking, ``He just looks and gives you a little flex here and a little flex there,'' Albertrani said, flexing his own muscles in a Mr. Universe pose. ``He's a very intelligent horse, very aware of what's around him, very professional.''

Bernardini didn't race as a 2-year-old, and broke his maiden in his second start, a 7 3/4-length win at Gulfstream Park on March 4. A week before the Kentucky Derby, Bernardini won the Withers at Aqueduct by 3 3/4 lengths, then stepped up and took the Preakness _ the first classic win for Albertrani and Sheik Mohammed's Darley Stable.

After the Travers, Bernardini is scheduled to run in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park on Oct. 7, then the BC Classic at Churchill Downs. A sweep of those races, and Bernardini would have a strong case for season-ending championships.

Pletcher said anything can happen. For example, Bluegrass Cat could pull off the same sweep and put himself in contention for top 3-year-old honors.

``That's a lot of ifs,'' Pletcher said. ``My thinking is Barbaro has been a sentimental choice for everyone. He's retired undefeated, so someone will have to do something really special to knock him off. Bernardini is in the same position (as Bluegrass Cat). If he can sweep the card from here, he's going to make a big push for himself.''