Aqueduct: Trombetta's 3-for-3 filly steps up in Matron

Just Philtored, undefeated in three starts for trainer Michael Trombetta, steps up Thursday in the Grade 3 Matron at the Belmont at Aqueduct meet.

The Great Notion filly won her first two starts on dirt, pulling away for an eight-length victory in her debut at Laurel Park then hanging on to win by a neck in the Keswick Stakes at Colonial Downs. Trombetta switched her to turf for her most recent start in the Dolley Madison Stakes at Colonial, and she led at every call to win by 4 1/2 lengths.

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"We liked what we saw on the grass with her, so we figured it's getting late in the season, we'd like to give her one more shot on the grass and see how she does," Trombetta told Horse Racing Nation on Wednesday. "Hopefully, she can continue to do well, but obviously the company's a little bit tougher. We'll see where we fit."

Mychel Sanchez, who rode Just Philtored in her two latest starts, has the mount Thursday from post 3.

Just Philtored is at 8-1 on the morning line for the Matron. The 3-1 favorite is Royal Testament, trained by George Weaver. The Midshipman filly is coming off two straight wins, most recently in the Rosie's Stakes at Colonial.

Just Philtored, owned by Red White and Blue Racing and Elliot Campbell, "has been very good to work with," Trombetta said. "She's developing in the right direction. When you get these babies and they run early on, there's some immaturity and there's baby stuff that goes on with some of them. But she just seems like she's really heading in the right direction. She's getting stronger every day."

For now, at least, Trombetta isn't thinking past this race for Just Philtored. "Haven't gotten that far, but I hope that's a problem that I have."

But he does have a plan for Future Is Now, the 5-year-old mare who has given Trombetta two graded-stakes wins this year and four overall. She's pointed to the Franklin (G2) at Keeneland on Oct. 12.

Future Is Now is following much the same path she did last year, when she won the Intercontinental (G2), was third in the Caress (G3) and won the listed Smart and Fancy, all at Saratoga, ahead of a win in the Franklin.

This year, she opened with a win in the Giant's Causeway (G3) and was second in the Intercontinental before scoring in both the Caress and the Smart and Fancy.

"She's training good, so I'm looking forward to that," Trombetta said.