Matron Sets Up for Pretty N Cool

Trainer Bob Baffert had the option of running GII Sorrento S. winner Pretty N Cool (Scat Daddy) in the GI Chandelier S. around two turns a few weeks ago to see if he might have a Breeders’ Cup-type filly on his hands. Instead, the gray filly, runner-up to GI Juvenile Fillies favorite and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Songbird (Medaglia d’Oro) in the GI Del Mar Debutante runner-up remains at one turn for Sunday’s GII Matron S. at Belmont Park.

Pretty N Cool, campaigned by the Watson/Weitman/Pegram triumvirate, earned easily this field’s fastest Beyer (95) in splashing home a 4 1/2-length winner at Del Mar July 19, then defeated subsequent GI Darley Alcibiades S. victress Gomo (Uncle Mo) in the Aug. 12 Sorrento. She finished 5 1/4 lengths behind Songbird in the Debutante and should enjoy a perfect trip behind the speed in the Matron.

LNJ Foxwoods’ Constellation (Bellamy Road), an $800,000 OBS March acquisition, pounced from just off the pace to graduate by 4 1/2 lengths en route to ‘TDN Rising Star’ status at the Spa Aug. 9. She took the next logical step in that track’s GI Spinaway S. Sept. 5 and led the field into the final furlong before being outfinished by fellow Rising Star Rachel’s Valentina (Bernardini) and Tap To It (Tapit). LNJ Foxwoods will be represented in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies by GI Frizette S. winner Nickname (Scat Daddy) and in the GI Filly & Mare Sprint by their ‘TDN Rising Star’ Super Majesty (Super Saver).

Tonasah (Malibu Moon) famously ran loose around Belmont Park ahead of her intended debut in June, but proceeded to achieve ‘Rising Star’ status with a 5 1/2-length success on Long Island July 2. Runner-up to Just Wicked (Tapit) as the favorite in the GII Adirondack S. Aug. 15, the bay gave way readily and was a well-beaten fifth in the Spinaway last time out. She rates a bounce-back candidate Sunday afternoon.