Paris Bikini, Blofeld Look Strong for Pletcher
Trainer Todd Pletcher, a dominant force in New York's 2-year-old landscape, will have a chance to pad his resume on Sunday at Belmont Park when he sends out Paris Bikini and Blofeld as the favorites in the Grade 2, $200,000 Matron and Grade 2, $200,000 Futurity, respectively.
On Saturday, Pletcher will saddle Daredevil in the Grade 1 Champagne and Feathered in the Grade 1 Frizette, both races at a mile. The Matron, restricted to fillies, and the Futurity are both contested at six furlongs, and are co-features on an 11-race Sunday program.
Owned by celebrity chef Bobby Flay, Paris Bikini made her debut a winning one in a six-furlong heat on September 12 at Belmont. Despite a pedigree tilted more toward stamina than speed and odds that suggested she may not be one of Pletcher's better 2-year-olds, the Bernardini filly broke on top and coasted to a 1 ½-length victory.
"Paris Bikini ran well in her debut," said Pletcher. "She's had a good breeze here, and there are limited opportunities for 2-year-old winners, and this seemed like a logical next step."
Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez has the mount on Paris Bikini, 2-1, and the pair will break from post 3.
A 7 ¼-length winner of her debut, Darling Sky will go out for trainer Butch Reid and owners Swilcan Stable and James Bonner. The Sky Mesa filly tested deeper waters in her second start, when she ran fourth in the Grade 1 Spinaway over a sloppy track at the Spa.
Darling Sky, 3-1 on the morning line, will be ridden from the rail with Cornelio Velasquez back aboard.
The Matron field will also be comprised of Paulassilverlining, a recent maiden winner for Michelle Nevin; Evrybdymstgetstonz, most recently second in the Lady Finger Stakes; Skipalute, who is still a maiden after three starts; Desert Image, winner of a maiden claiming race for trainer George Weaver; Empressive Humor, who finished seventh in the Grade 2 Adirondack in her most recent outing; and Save Rock and Roll, fifth in the Sorority Stakes at Monmouth Park in her last start.
Blofeld, owned by Glencrest Farm and JMS Equine, showed speed and precocity in his debut on August 14 at Saratoga Race Course. After Signature Cat rocketed to the front of the five-furlong dash, Blofeld settled willingly in second, took aim of the pacesetter around the far turn and wore down that foe with a relentless rally to prevail by a length.
The son of Quality Road was subsequently flattered by third-place finisher El Kabeir coming back to take a seven-furlong maiden race in impressive fashion.
"Blofeld trained extremely well before his debut. We were optimistic that he'd run well, and he did," said Pletcher. "The race has been flattered by El Kabeir coming back to win. He's trained very well since then, and we're optimistic he's ready to take that next step.
"I think he has more speed than that race suggested," Pletcher added. "The pacesetter that day was just exceptionally quick. I think in a more normally run race he'll find himself closer to the pace."
Blofeld, 6-5 on the morning line, drew post position 2 under Velazquez.
In contrast to the lightly raced Blofeld, Cinco Charlie has already run five times for trainer Steve Asmussen and owners William and Corinne Heiligbrodt. After winning his first start on May 9 at Churchill Downs, the bay colt won the Grade 3 Bashford Manor, finished third in the Grade 3 Sanford, fifth in the Grade 2 Saratoga Special, and took the First State Dash Stakes at Delaware Park in his most recent outing.
Cinco Charlie, 4-1, drew the rail under Rafael Santana, Jr.
Rounding out the field are Mr. Amos, who won a maiden claiming race at Monmouth in his last start, Far Right, five-length winner of a maiden race at Churchill Downs in his latest outing, and Hebbronville, 6 ¼-length winner of an allowance race at Parx Racing when last on the track.
Source: NYRA