Vito Filitto tries two turns

Vito Filitto will try to make it two in a row on the turf when he faces 11 other 2-year-old colts and geldings in the $25,000 Cradle Prep at River Downs.

There were 19 entries for the Cradle Prep, with three horses excluded and four put on an also-eligible list.

Trained by Bernie Flint, Vito Filitto is the only stakes winner in the field, having won the $50,000 Minstrel at Louisiana Downs on

July 18. The Minstrel was at five furlongs on the turf, and the Cradle Prep will be contested at a mile.

Vito Filitto won his debut at Churchill Downs on June 6 by a neck in a $50,000 maiden claiming race. He then had a bad outing in the Bashford Manor on July 3 after getting off to a poor start in the six-furlong race. The Prep will be the first attempt at two turns for Vito Filitto. Edgar Paucar will ride for the first time.

Don't Put It Back is the only other two-time winner in the field. In his maiden win July 18 at Ellis Park, Don't Put It Back won by a length going five furlongs. Trainer Vicki Foley then sent him out to win an entry-level allowance at Ellis by 3 3/4 lengths going six furlongs. Otto Thorwarth will ride for the first time.

William's Kitten is the only horse in the field who has won both on the turf and around two turns. Trained by Mike Maker, William's Kitten won a maiden race July 16 at Ellis, going a mile over the turf course. Orlando Mojica will ride.

The first three finishers in the Cradle Prep are eligible to supplement to the $200,000 Bud Select Cradle for $3,000, instead of the normal $12,000. The Sept. 7 Cradle will be contested at 1 1/16 miles on turf.