Preakness Winner Bernardini Out of Belmont

[a kennedy]

NEW YORK (AP) -- Preakness winner Bernardini will not run in the Belmont Stakes, another blow to the final race of the Triple Crown series.

The Belmont field already was without Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, who sustained career-ending injuries in last weekend's Preakness, which Bernardini won by 5 1/4 lengths.

Darley Stable announced the decision about Bernardini in Lexington, Ky., saying the colt deserves a break after running three races in quick succession.

The Belmont will be run June 10.

Bernardini won his first career race on March 4 and won the Withers Stakes in his next start April 29.

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