Pletcher flaunts stable's 2-year-old strength

ELMONT, N.Y. – Todd Pletcher’s talented 2-year-old roster was on display for all to see the last 2 1/2 weeks, as the six-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer won 11 races with his juveniles from south Florida to Southern California, New York to Kentucky.

While Grade 1 stakes winners Angela Renee (Chandelier), Daredevil (Champagne), and Carpe Diem (Breeders’ Futurity) are likely Breeders’ Cup bound – as is Frizette third-place finisher Feathered – Pletcher is making plans for several of his other impressive winners.

Blofeld improved his record to 2 for 2 with a three-quarter-length victory in Sunday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Futurity Stakes at Belmont Park. After getting shut off and shuffled back by Cinco Charlie entering the far turn, Blofeld surged past Hebbronville and Cinco Charlie in the stretch to gain the victory under John Velazquez.

“Johnny said that horse came over and squeezed him out of there,” Pletcher said. “It looked like he was already in there, and it kind of surprised us he was forced to come out of there. At that point, I was a little concerned he might have lost his momentum but impressed that he was able to regain it.”

Blofeld, who earned a 100 Beyer Speed Figure, is likely headed to the Grade 2, $250,000 Nashua Stakes on Nov. 2 and then possibly the Grade 2, $400,000 Remsen on Nov. 29. Both races are at Aqueduct.

“We think that would be a great way to develop the horse and bring him along,” said Pletcher, who trains Blofeld for John Greathouse’s Glencrest Farm and JSM Equine.

Another Pletcher-trained horse possible for the Nashua is Savoy Stomp, a son of Medaglia d’Oro who won his debut by two lengths going seven furlongs at Belmont on Sept. 27. Savoy Stomp is owned by Team Valor International and Southern Equine Stables.

The day after Savoy Stomp won, Pletcher won a New York-bred maiden race with Ostrolenka, who galloped to a 14 1/2-length score after finishing seventh in the slop at Saratoga. Ostrolenka, a son of Musket Man owned and bred by Eric Fein, could be headed to the $250,000 Sleepy Hollow Stakes on the Oct. 18 New York Showcase Day program.

At Keeneland, Pletcher sent out a pair of 2-year-old filly maiden winners over the weekend. Enchantress, a daughter of Malibu Moon who brought $950,000 at auction, won a six-furlong maiden race by 6 3/4 lengths and could be headed to the Grade 3, $250,000 Tempted at Aqueduct on Nov. 2.

Hopefaithjoy, a daughter of Lookin at Lucky, won a 1 1/16-mile maiden race Sunday by 3 3/4 lengths. Pletcher said he may opt to wait to run her in the Grade 2, $400,000 Demoiselle at Aqueduct on Nov. 29, preferring to keep her racing around two turns.

Miss Always Ready won an off-the-turf maiden race at Belmont on Saturday by 5 3/4 lengths. Pletcher may look to run her back on turf in the $100,000 Chelsey Flower Stakes here Oct. 25. Miss Always Ready is a full sister to More Than Real, who was a graded stakes winner on turf.