Le Bernardin to take on Hansen in the West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer
Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin is entering his charge, Le Bernardin in the Grade 2, $750,000 West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Park on 4th
August, 2012 over 1 1/8 miles, where he will face the Mike Maker trained, Hansen.
Le Bernandni, owned by the Darley Stable, has the potential to spur up a surprise or two, and has run some impressive races.
In 5 starts, he has an overall record of 3-0-0 with his most recent victory in the Grade 3 Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park in June, 2012, where he dominated the 1 1/16 mile track.
This victory has given, Le Bernandni, some leverage and chances are he will race as second co-favourite with the Steven Asmussen trained, Macho Macho with a 6-1 shot.
He will ride under the command of jockey, Mike Luzzi and break from post position 7, while Hansen will be mounted by Mike Smith and the pair will break from post number 9.
Macho Macho, bred in Kentucky will be ridden by rider Corey Nakatani. It will give Steven Asmussen his fourth victory in the West Virginia Derby if Macho Macho lands it.
Other runners competing include Hansen’s stable-mate, Morgan's Guerrilla and the Dale Romans trained, Z Camelot.
Regarding the post positions and race strategy, Le Bernardin’s trainer stated:
“On paper, I’d like to be forwardly placed – but I don’t want to be too forwardly placed, if you know what I mean. It looks like Hansen will go, and there’s a sprinter [Bourbon Courage] in there that could be up there, too. I just don’t want to get
too involved early if it helps us at the end.”
McLaughlin has an immense amount of respect for Hansen, since he claimed the Eclipse Award as a juvenile. The trainer considers Hansen to be a threat on this track and went as far as saying:
“I’d like to take second money right now, if you’d guarantee it to me.”
McLaughlin is not too keen on running La Bernardini in the Travers Stakes at Saratoga, as the trainer will take it race by race to determine the runner’s future.
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