Bernieandtherose could land Schettino another upset in Busanda

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Last Saturday, trainer Dominick Schettino sent out the New York-bred Bernietakescharge and pulled off a 16-1 upset Saturday in an open-company allowance race at Aqueduct.

This Saturday, Schettino will send out Bernieandtherose, the younger half-sister to Bernietakescharge, in hopes of pulling off an upset in the $100,000 Busanda Stakes at Aqueduct.

The Busanda, at 1 1/8 miles, drew a field of nine, though two horses are cross-entered in other spots. The top five finishers in the Busanda earn qualifying points (20-10-6-4-2) toward the Kentucky Oaks.

Bernietakescharge and Bernieandtherose are both out of the mare Berning Rose, whom Schettino also trained. Berning Rose won two of three starts – including the Maid of the Mist Stakes – before an ankle injury forced her retirement. All three of her foals, including Berning Honor, won.

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Bernieandtherose, by 2018 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Accelerate, finished third, beaten a half-length at odds of 64-1 in her Oct. 5 debut going 6 1/2 furlongs. She came back on Nov. 3 to win a seven-furlong maiden race against New York-breds by 7 3/4 lengths. Three weeks later, she won a statebred first-level allowance going a mile by 6 1/4 lengths.

“He first race, she was a little immature, looking around,” Schettino said. “She’s been progressing with each race, putting it together, really figuring out what she’s supposed to do.”

The key to success in the Busanda could be who is prepared to get the 1 1/8-mile distance.

“I don’t think the distance is going to be an issue,” Schettino said. “Her father won the Breeders’ Cup Classic, her sister won going long.”

While Bernietakescharge did win going one mile on Saturday, she did win a New York-bred allowance going 1 1/8 miles by 6 1/4 lengths in October. Schettino said Bernietakescharge and Bernieandtherose have been workmates recently.

Bernieandtherose, who drew post 8, is one of two multiple winners in the field along with Beautiful Blome, who won a minor stakes at Delaware Park in October.

Maiden winners Running Away, trained by Wesley Ward; Ramify, trained by Chad Brown; and Ruth, trained by Todd Pletcher, figure to take the bulk of the money. Bless the Broken, trained by Will Walden, is cross-entered in Saturday’s Silverbulletday Stakes at Fair Grounds. Carmen’s Candy Jar is cross-entered in a Friday allowance at Aqueduct. Sharp Smile and My Sherrona complete the field.

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