OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Bernieandtherose, a two-time New York-bred stakes winner as a 3-year-old in 2025, makes her 4-year-old debut Saturday in a first-level allowance race at seven furlongs. Bernieandtherose will be making her first start since she finished third in the Bouwerie Stakes on June 4 at Saratoga. Trainer Dominick Schettino said Bernieandtherose suffered from bone bruising and he gave her nearly six months off. Prior to the Bouwerie, Bernieandtherose had won five of her first six starts, including the East View Stakes and the Maddie May, both for statebreds. Bernieandtherose shows only five works for her return to the races, none since March 31. :: Access the most trusted data and information in horse racing! DRF Past Performances and Picks are available now. “She’s training well. It’s possible she might need a race, but I would say she’s pretty fit,” Schettino said. Bernieandtherose does break from the rail in a six-horse field and is facing older horses for the first time. “I would rather be farther outside. You’re a little more committed when you’re stuck on the inside,” Schettino said. Filly Freedom, second in this condition off a lengthy layoff last out, and Always Practical loom the major contenders. The timing of this race would seem to make it a prep for the $200,000 Critical Eye Stakes on June 3 at Saratoga. However, Schettino has Bernietakescharge, the older sister of Bernieandtherose, pointed to that race. Schettino said he and owner Bob Rosenthal would wait until after Bernieandtherose runs on Saturday before deciding where she would run next. Schettino did say that he would like to run Bernieandtherose long at some point and that Bernietakescharge, following the Critical Eye at 1 1/8 miles, would likely get the opportunity to try turf later this summer. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.