McLaughlin Says Frosted Set for Belmont Stakes (Video)

Godolphin Racing's Frosted wrapped up his major preparations for the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes with a half-mile drill in company with Met Mile contender Tamarkuz on Friday morning.

The Kiaran McLaughlin trainees took to the Belmont main track shortly after the renovation break, minutes after fellow Belmont Stakes hopeful Materiality turned in his final work for Todd Pletcher. Frosted, piloted by exercise rider Lorenzo Morales, broke from the half-mile pole a length ahead of his older workmate, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. Frosted led throughout the move and hit the wire a half-length in front.

The pair earned an official time of 47.84 seconds while never under asking and galloped out five furlongs together.



"They went great," McLaughlin remarked after the breeze. "[Frosted] worked so well last week with Tamarkuz we decided to do the same thing today. They went 47 and four and [out in five furlongs] in a minute and three fifths. It couldn't have gone better. We're all set."

Group 2 Godolphin Mile winner Tamarkuz is slated to make his North American debut in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap along with fellow McLaughlin charge Bay of Plenty. Bay of Plenty, runner-up in the Grade 3 Discovery Handicap last fall at Aqueduct, made his seasonal debut with a two-length allowance optional victory last month over the local course.

"He had some time off and he came back and won his last race impressively," McLaughlin said. "It's a tough race but we've got to give him a chance."

Source: NYRA