The highly regarded Wilburn, by Bernardini, got his first Stakes victory September 5 at Parx Racing in the Smarty Jones Stakes. The three-year-old colt most recently took an Allowance race at Monmouth in August and is the ninth Stakes winner for Bernardini.
Wilburn strategically positioned himself just off the pace in the one mile event. He then fanned wide and continued to overpower competitors in the stretch to power to the win.
Bred by Woodbrige Bloodstock, Wilburn is out of the Graded Stakes winning Carson City mare Moonlight Sonata, who is also the dam of G2 winner Beethoven. The mare has a two-year-old filly by Bernardini as well. Moonlight Sonata is a half-sister to G1 winner Bevo.
Bernardini is currently the leading US-based second-crop sire and is the sire of seven G1 horses. His G1 winners include A Z Warrior, Biondetti and the recent G1 Travers Stakes winner Stay Thirsty from his first crop. A multiple G1-winning son of A.P. Indy, Bernardini has also sired G2 winner Gamilati already in his second crop. Bernardini is standing the current breeding season at Darley Kelvinside for a fee of $38,500 (inc GST).
