Felini adds blinkers for comeback

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Felini gets back to the races while Bombshell gets back to sprinting as these two 4-year-old fillies head a field of seven entered in a first-level allowance that serves as the feature on Friday’s eight-race card at Aqueduct.

Felini hasn’t run since Dec. 4, when she finished eighth as the 2-1 second choice in this condition over Aqueduct’s main track. Bombshell, meanwhile, finished second, beaten a head by Da Wildcat Girl, in that race.

Felini, a half-sister to the multiple Grade 1 winner It’s Tricky, will be adding blinkers for the first time. Assistant trainer Joe Lee said that was a decision trainer Kiaran McLaughlin made “to keep her a little more focused.”

Though Felini shows two bullet workouts in her last three moves, she has not worn blinkers in those breezes, according to Lee, who simply said Felini “is doing well right now.”

Irad Ortiz Jr. rides Felini from the outside post.

Felini may have to avoid getting involved in a duel with Atlantis Romance, who ships from Parx with 2016 Eclipse Award-winning apprentice Luis Ocasio named. Ocasio is still riding as an apprentice, and Atlantis Romance will be in receipt of seven pounds from Felini.

Race 7

KEY CONTENDERS

Felini, by Bernardini

Last 3 Beyers: 55-81-80

◗ Returns from a three-month freshening following the worst race of her career, sporting a solid work tab and blinkers for the first time.

FORMULATOR Fact: McLaughlin is 10 for 33 with a $1.91 return on investment over the last three years when adding blinkers; 6 for 16 with a $2.63 ROI doing so in sprint races.

◗ Last October, she beat four horses in winning her maiden by 11 1/2 lengths, a race that did produce two next-out winners.

Bombshell, by Bellamy Road

Last 3 Beyers: 56-81-76

◗ Finished second, beaten a head, in the same allowance sprint in which Felini finished eighth. Since then, she has run twice long, with one good effort and one bad one.

◗ Should get a pace to close into with Atlantis Romance and Felini potentially dueling up front.

FORMULATOR Fact: Trainer Jimmy Jerkens is 5 for 21 with a $2.03 ROI over the last three years with horses going from a route to a sprint.

Little Bear Cat, by Bluegrass Cat

Last 3 Beyers: 77-73-67

◗ Galloped to a 6 1/2-length victory against New York-breds on Feb. 20 and now comes back on 11 days’ rest. Won a $20,000 claimer on similarly short rest last April.

“There’s nowhere really left to run her until Belmont,” said David Cannizzo, who owns and trains Little Bear Cat. “I’m not big on running back quick, but let’s try it. It should set up for her with two speeds out there.”

Ring Knocker, by Birdstone

Last 3 Beyers: 73-73-68

◗ Has run three respectable races since being claimed by Gary Gullo, who has won with four of his last 15 starters at the meet, including 20-1 Wilburnmoney in the Franklin Square Stakes.