Bernieandtherose likely headed for open company in Gazelle

Bernieandtherose, who ran her winning streak to four straight with a 3 1/4-length victory in the Maddie May Stakes for New York-breds on March 8, will likely make her next start against open company in the Grade 3, $200,000 Gazelle Stakes on April 5 at Aqueduct.

The Gazelle is New York’s last points race for the Kentucky Oaks, offering 100 points to the winner and 50 to the runner-up, either typically good enough to get into the Oaks field.

Trainer Dominick Schettino said he feels Bernieandtherose has earned a shot at the Gazelle. He’s confident the 1 1/8-mile distance won’t be an issue for Bernieandtherose, it’s just a matter of if she classes up.

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“She’s going to tell us,” Schettino said. “We’ll give her a chance to show us. She settles, which is an important quality to have in these races. In the East View, she handled the kickback well.”

Bernieandtherose, a daughter of Accelerate, finished third in her debut before coming back to win her maiden going seven furlongs by 7 3/4 lengths. After an allowance win in November, Bernieandtherose has come back to win the East View and Maddie May, earning Beyer Speed Figures of 74 and 75.

Schettino said if Bernieandtherose doesn’t show she belongs in the Oaks, he will likely return her to New York-bred competition in races like Bouwerie on June 4 at Saratoga and ultimately the Fleet Indian on Aug. 21 at Saratoga.

Meanwhile, Schettino said Bernie Takes Charge, the older half-sister to Bernieandtherose, would make her next start in either the Biogio’s Rose against New York-breds on April 6 or the Top Flight against open company April 12.

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