Champion Bernardini is aiming at a successful 2011 with Crossbow, a well-regarded son who gave him his 14th winner on January 2 at Aqueduct. Guided by the formidable team of trainer Kiaran McLaughlin and jockey Ramon Dominguez, Crossbow won in only his second start, having finished a game third in his debut.
Rushing quickly to the lead in the six furlong maiden special weight, Crossbow was in command the entire race, pulling away when asked to finish three lengths in front in an easy victory.
Bred by Stonerside Stable and raced by Darley Stable, Crossbow is out of the Graded Stakes winner Forest Heiress, by Forest Wildcat, making Crossbow inbred 4 X 4 to Fappiano. Forest Heiress, dam of three foals, all winners, is a full sister to both Grade 1 winner Wildcat Heir and Stakes winner Forest Heir. Bernardini is not the only Preakness winner in Crossbow’s pedigree, as Louis Quatorze appears in his female family.
Bernardini is the only first season sire to produce G1 winners on dirt and turf, represented by A Z Warrior in America and Biondetti in Europe. The classic winner has also sired multiple G2 winner To Honor and Serve and G3 winner and G1-placed Theyskens' Theory among his 14 winners. Bernardini added a third continent to the range of his winners when Sir Lancelot won in Japan in December.
