Frost At Dawn brings Europe to Keeneland for Franklin Stakes

For its first 27 runnings, the Grade 2 Franklin Stakes had not attracted any Europe-based runners to Keeneland.

That changes Sunday when Frost At Dawn, owned by Abdulla Al Mansoori, goes postward in the $350,000 test going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf.

Click here for Keeneland entries and results.

The attraction for Frost At Dawn, who is 15-1 on the morning line, is a possible shot at the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint on Nov. 2 at Del Mar.

“We didn’t qualify for the Breeders’ (Cup) in Europe, so we decided to try here,” said Michelle Gross, who is overseeing the 3-year-old filly’s preparation for trainer William Knight. “She got here (last) Sunday after a couple days in quarantine at Churchill. She’s doing very well, and she traveled well.”

Frost At Dawn finished 10th against males in the win-and-you’re-in Nunthorpe (G1) at York in England behind standouts Bradsell and Believing, “and then she caught soft ground in her last start at Ayr,” Gross said.

Even though the Franklin will be her first U.S. race, Frost At Dawn will be meeting a rival from March in Dubai, namely morning-line favorite Star Of Mystery (3-2).

Frost At Dawn beat Star Of Mystery by 2 1/2 lengths going five furlongs at Meydan in the Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint (G3) on March 2. Four weeks later in the six-furlong Al Quoz Sprint (G1) on Dubai World Cup night, Frost At Dawn weakened late to finish 10th while Star Of Mystery was second.

Godolphin’s Star of Mystery has made her past two starts at Saratoga for trainer Charlie Appleby.

Twelve fillies and mares plus four also-eligibles were entered for the Franklin, which is scheduled for Sunday at 4:44 p.m. EDT.