The blinkers are back for McKinzie. McKinzie, a leading Kentucky Derby prospect, wore blinkers in his career debut and when he finished second and was placed first through disqualification Dec. 7 in the Los Alamitos Derby. Bob Baffert, McKinzie's trainer, removed McKinzie's blinkers for the Sham Stakes on Jan. 6, a race McKinzie won easily.

But after McKinzie came off his line late in the March 10 San Felipe, drifting out into Bolt d'Oro and leading to his horse's disqualification, Baffert is turning back to blinkers again. McKinzie wore blinkers working in company Monday, and breezed so strongly, Baffert said Wednesday morning in Dubai, that he will race in the equipment again when he makes his next start in the Santa Anita Derby.