McLaughlin Considers Options for Frosted

Frosted | Sarah K. Andrew

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Following another authoritative performance by California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) in the GI Awesome Again S. last Saturday at Santa Anita, there has been much speculation as to whether any prospective entrant for the Nov. 5 GI Breeders' Cup Classic can match strides with the frontrunner for Horse of the Year honors. Godolphin's Frosted (Tapit) looms as one of the most intriguing alternatives to 'Chrome' based on his jaw-dropping 14 1/4-length victory in the GI Met Mile at Belmont June 11, but the gray is currently under consideration for both the Classic and the GI Las Vegas Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile Nov. 4.

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin indicated Tuesday on an NTRA teleconference that a decision would be made by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in the coming weeks, but for now, the colt is thriving in his normal training routine at Greentree Training Center in Saratoga Springs. Frosted was most recently a hard-luck third behind Shaman Ghost (Ghostzapper) in the GI Woodward S. Sept. 3.

“He's doing great,” McLaughlin said. “I'm going to drive up [to Greentree] from Long Island to watch him work [Wednesday]. We're still not sure which race we're going in. I'll stay in touch with Jimmy Bell and John Ferguson, who in turn will tell me after Sheikh Mohammed makes a decision.”

Although Frosted's Met Mile–good for an astonishing, year-high Beyer Speed Figure of 123–would suggest that the Dirt Mile is an optimal distance, McLaughlin said he is concerned that the colt will not be as effective navigating the trip around two turns at Santa Anita. Frosted impressed with a wire-to-wire score in Saratoga's GI Whitney S. Aug. 6 prior to his narrow defeat coming from off the pace in the Woodward.

“I worry about the two-turn mile,” the two-time Breeders' Cup winning trainer explained. “I think one turn would be different, but with two turns it's a just quick run into the first turn and it can be a little bit of a traffic jam. Often, speed is very important. He has plenty of speed, but going a mile, I'm not sure. It's hard to say, but obviously the Classic is a great race with California Chrome, Arrogate and others…It's a tough race, but the race shape might be better for Frosted.”

McLaughlin added that a choice would likely be made before the Oct. 24 deadline for Breeders' Cup pre-entries. As for travel plans, Frosted will remain stabled at Greentree as long as weather permits.

“I'm glad the boss is making the decision,” McLaughlin quipped.

While Frosted has options for the World Championships, stablemate Mubtaahij (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) is on the path to the Classic via a start in Saturday's GI Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont. The bay finished second behind California Chrome in the G1 Dubai World Cup earlier this year under the care of trainer Mike De Kock, and has since made two Stateside appearances for McLaughlin. He was most recently second, beaten a neck by Shaman Ghost, in the Woodward.

“He's a really neat horse. He tries hard and does everything right,” McLaughlin noted. “He's a real pleasure to train, and we've enjoyed training him. We expect him to run a big race Saturday–he's really doing very well.”

The conditioner said he is hopeful that Mubtaahij will improve in the Gold Cup, making his third start with Lasix, as well as his third start with the services of jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr.

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