Bernardini's four-year-old daughter Berned always seems to give her best. And while she's been knocking on the Graded Stakes-winning door on several occasions, it wasn't until July 29th at Monmouth Park that she finally passed the test in winning the G3 Molly Pitcher Stakes. She is now three for three at the New Jersey oval for trainer Graham Motion.
Berned's running style normally finds her in the back of the pack and the Molly Pitcher was no different. She was second last in the field of eight at the first turn and sixth as she passed the half mile point. Approaching the six-furlong mark, jockey Joe Bravo started asking for more and Berned was happy to respond. She made a sweeping move as the field turned for home and was able to hold on late as the field closed the gap.
Bred in Kentucky by AR Enterprises LLC, Berned is out of the Giant’s Causeway mare, First Passage, winner of the G3 Azalea Stakes. First Passage is out of the multiple Stakes-winning mare, Win’s Fair Lady, a full sister to Graeme Hall (G2 Arkansas Derby, G2 Jim Dandy, etc.). Win’s Fair Lady is also a half-sister to multiple Graded Stakes winner Harmony Lodge (G1 Ballerina, G2 Gallant Bloom, etc.) and G3 winner, Win McCool, dam of G1 Arkansas Stakes winner, Magnum Moon.
