Frosted Freezes His Competition Again!
Frosted, in his much anticipated first race back since his record breaking Met Mile win, silenced many of his doubters by scoring an emphatic win today in the Grade 1, $1,250,000 Whitney Handicap at Saratoga.
It’s been 56 days since Frosted stunned the racing world with that historic 14 1/4 length demolition of the Met Mile, the largest margin of victory in 123 editions. Many wondered, would Frosted regress or “bounce”? Would we see another dominant performance? It was a valid question, Frosted had yet to put together back to back wins in his 16 race career. Those questions were answered, as this new and improved Frosted ran his opposition into the ground with an easier than it looked two-length score over a late closing Comfort.
A loud roar from the crowd was heard as the last of the six horses entered the gate for this 2016 Whitney, and when those gates sprung open, it was Frosted, from post position four, who immediately made his presence known by going straight for the lead under jockey Joel Rosario. Irad Ortiz, Jr, who was aboard Upstart, had to hustle his charge from the three post to go with Frosted in order to win the race to the first turn. He was successful, but as soon as the field entered the backstretch, Frosted had already reclaimed the lead and cleared Upstart by over a length.
Noble Bird moved to the outside of Frosted three quarters of a length back in second. Through a first quarter in 23.11, and a half in 46.42 the order didn’t change, and as Frosted made his way to the far turn, it was clear, Frosted was going to be tough to beat. Behind him, the second choice Effinex made his move from fourth as he passed Upstart first, and then Noble Bird nearing the top of the stretch to take over second, but he still had a lot of work to do catch the race leader.
Frosted turned for home with a three length lead with Joel Rosario sitting motionless. Effinex was digging in from the outside but losing ground, Upstart was coming back on the rail and the late closing Comfort was starting to make a run. But Frosted, who was sent off as the 1-2 favorite, was just playing at a different level today as he coasted home to an easy two-length win. Comfort edged Upstart by a half-length for second, Effinex was nose back in fourth. Noble Bird and El Kabeir completed the order of finish. The final time of the race was a quick 1:47.77.
In many ways, today's win was just as impressive as the Met Mile with Frosted doing all the running and showing that indeed, his last race was no fluke.
After the race an elated Kiaran McLaughlin talked about his transformation from age three to age four saying “He is just a really nice horse and has matured from three to four years old. American Pharoah is Lexington now and we don't have to chase him around anymore. He is a very nice horse and a versatile horse from a mile to a mile and a half and we are fortunate and happy to have him in the barn."
He went on to talk about Frosted being among the best he has ever trained saying, “He is right up at the top [horses I've trained]. Invasor was the best, I'll always say, but he is creeping up now and if he can go on and win the Breeders' Cup or World Cup he'll [Frosted] be right there with him or pass him."
Up next for Frosted is likely a date in either the Woodward or Jockey Club Gold Cup. After today’s win, Frosted has put himself squarely in the older male Eclipse and HOY picture, a picture that won’t become clear until after the Breeders’ Cup Classic in November. The win improved Frosted’s record to 17-6-6-1 and his earnings now stand at $3,852,800, owned by Godolphin, Frosted was bred in Kentucky by Darley.