Litfin's preview: 2-year-olds in the spotlight again

It’s all 2-year-olds all the time this weekend, as Sunday’s Futurity and Matron come just 24 hours after the meet’s last two Grade 1 races, the Champagne and the Frizette.

After the Futurity and Matron, Grade 2 sprints worth $200,000, all four graded stakes during the last three weeks at Belmont – the Knickerbocker, Athenia, Bold Ruler, and Turnback The Alarm – are all of the Grade 3 variety.

Will Blofeld dominate the Futurity?

Blofeld, who ran down the speedy Signature Cat to win his debut at a $3.10 mutuel at Saratoga, with the talented El Kabeir finishing third, will be favored against just four rivals in the Futurity, as he stretches out from five to six furlongs.

The Futurity is carded as race 4 on an 11-race program.

“The race has been flattered by El Kabeir coming back to win,” said trainer Todd Pletcher. “I think [Blofeld] has more speed than that race suggested. The pacesetter that day was just exceptionally quick. I think in a more normally run race he’ll find himself closer to the pace.”

All five colts come off victories in their last starts, including Cinco Charlie, who took a restricted stake at Delaware Park at 1-20, and Hebbronville, who comes off two blowout wins at Parx Racing at 7-10 and 1-10.

Wide-open Matron

On paper at least, four of the eight fillies in the Matron (race 10) are in a virtual dead heat, as Darling Skky, Paulassilverlining, Paris Bikini, and Skipalute have posted Beyer Speed Figure tops of 78 or 79 at this point.

Todd Pletcher, who sent the Bernardini filly Angela Renee to Santa Anita to win last week’s Grade 1 Chandelier, has another talented Bernardini filly in Paris Bikini, who could be the one to catch after a front-running debut win over the track Sept. 12.

“She’s had a good breeze here [four furlongs in 49.40 seconds Monday], and there are limited opportunities for 2-year-old winners,” noted Pletcher. “And this seemed like a next logical step.”

Horse to watch

BLOOPER
Trainer: Michelle Nevin
Last race: Oct. 3, 6th
Finish: 4th by 7 3/4
Beyer: 63

This 3-year-old filly was lightly regarded at 30-1 for her debut and showed some ability chasing three wide from the far outside post in a 10-horse field.